There is something profoundly wrong when, in the 21st century, a surf competition is cut short due to water pollution from a sewage spill.

This actually happened, not in Africa, Latin America, or Asia, but in the heart of England, in Porthtowan, Cornwall.

It seems like the more we’re told progress and development are underway by politicians and company executives, the worse our quality of life is.

So, how can a surfing event featuring 140 athletes be suddenly suspended while the contest is underway?

“Our 2025 English Interclub Surfing Championships had to be canceled today, whilst surfers were in the water,” noted Hannah Brand, operations manager at Surfing England, the national governing body for the sport in the country.

“We were informed by lifeguards that the beach was being red-flagged due to a sewage discharge.”

“In response, we immediately called off the contest and asked all surfers to leave the water, as the health and safety of our competitors is paramount.”

A Nationwide Cancer

Surfers, their families, and organizers were devastated to end the event early, especially with clean 3-5ft waves providing perfect conditions, and with such a high standard of surfing on display from the clubs.

Paradoxically, Surfing England is a member of the Clean Water Sports Alliance, and in partnership with Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), was also running a beach clean at the contest.

The bizarre situation prompted Surfing England to continue to call on the government to take urgent action on water pollution.

“Having to cut short such a major event only underlines the importance of ensuring our waters are safe and clean for everyone,” adds Brand.

“Currently, we are liaising with Surfers Against Sewage, Clean Water Sports Alliance, and other key persons considering any next steps.”

South West Water (SWW), the entity responsible for the treatment and maintenance of water and wastewater services for 1.8 million customers across Cornwall, Devon, the Isles of Scilly, and parts of Dorset and Somerset, said the storm overflow was activated “in line with [our] permits following heavy rainfall in the area.”

Surfers Against Sewage, one of Britain’s leading clean water non-governmental organizations, immediately highlighted what has been a serious nationwide issue for decades.

“If sewage can shut down a national surf comp, it can shut down your swim, paddle, wild dip, or family beach day. It’s happening all across the UK, to all of us,” SAS noted.

Sewage pollution is a serious health risk.

People, and surfers in particular, have already suffered illnesses like stomach bugs, breathing problems, and infections in the skin, eyes, and ears.

Sometimes, it’s badly enough to end up in the hospital for days.

Illegal Sewage Dumping

SAS has been stressing that water companies are allowed by law to release sewage into rivers and seas in exceptional situations, for example, during very heavy rain when the system is under unusual strain.

But the organization doubts whether the recent weather – just a bit of rain – really counts as “extraordinary.”

The surfing environmentalists also stressed that it is clearly illegal for companies to dump sewage during dry weather.

Despite this, South West Water has already been linked to over 2,000 such incidents in the first half of 2025.

Because SWW isn’t fully transparent with information, campaigners suspect the company is stretching the rules, using minor rainfall as an excuse to release sewage.

SAS believes SWW is abusing the emergency permits meant only for extreme storms, instead using them on ordinary rainy days.

The solution?

Regulators must enforce the rules more strongly, and water companies should invest in better infrastructure to manage water flow rather than dumping it into the sea.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com