Men 'verbally abuse' teen girls competing in Thurso surf contest

A Scottish surfing event had to be postponed after teen girls were allegedly verbally abused by a group of male surfers.

The women’s semi-final event of the GB Cup was taking place on Sunday at Thurso in Caithness.

The world-famous surf spot is known for churning out some of the most powerful and hollow waves in the country.

GB Surfing, the organisation that selects and prepares athletes to compete in the Olympics, hosts the annual event that gives Scottish surfers a chance to shine on their home stage.

However, as the contest reached its final stages on the third day, GB surfing was forced to bring it to an “abrupt end”.

The athletes claimed a group of free surfers had paddled out during the semi-finals and began hurling “misogynistic abuse” at them.

“The group of men are not members of Scottish Surfing and not representatives of surfing in Scotland,” Paul Stark, chief executive of the Scottish Surfing, told STV News.

“This sort of behaviour is absolutely unacceptable. It has to be called out.”

One of the girls competing and subjected to the alleged abuse was 15 years old.

Mr Stark said that although the men were free surfers and not in the contest, the issue is not free surfers in general.

“The SSF was formed by free surfers and we represent the whole surfing community, but this behaviour is not acceptable,” he said.

“Abuse directed at female competitors led to the premature suspension of the event on safety grounds, and event organisers were forced to seek assistance from Police Scotland,” a spokesperson for Surfing Scotland said.

“Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and runs counter to Scottish Surfing’s values of Innovation, Care, Inclusion and Excellence.”

They continued: “We wish to make clear that these disruptive actions were not carried out by, or represent, the Scottish surfing community. Our community has been overwhelmingly supportive of the GB Cup and has played an instrumental role in its planning and delivery. This event was an opportunity to celebrate surfing in Scotland and to bring positive benefits to the local economy.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 3.45pm on Sunday, October 26, 2025, we received a report of abusive behaviour in the area of Thurso East.

“Officers attended and no injuries were reported.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”