Breaking Waves: Surf History, Art, and Ocean Futures
Dive into an extraordinary lecture series that explores the powerful connections between surf culture, environmental activism, and coastal heritage.
As spring settles in Cornwall, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s surf-focused lecture series is already underway, with the opening talk from Sam Bleakley already setting the tone, the series continues with a lineup that blends culture, creativity, and critical thinking around the future of waveriding.
The Spring Lecture Series at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall (NMMC) will cover all things surf, marking a year since the museum’s major exhibition opened.
‘Breaking Waves: Surf History, Art, and Ocean Futures’ includes three compelling talks that celebrate Cornwall’s pioneering role in British surfing and address urgent challenges facing our oceans today.
The series begins on 19th March 2026 with a talk entitled, ‘Surfing, Sustainability & The Future of Waveriding in Cornwall’ from Dr. Sam Bleakley, curator of NMMC’s SURF! 100 Years of Waveriding in Cornwall exhibition, which launched in March 2025.
Sam will celebrate surfing’s role as a driving force for the blue economy, sitting at the cutting edge of sustainability, responsible tourism, and blue health. He will also reflect on some of the hidden histories uncovered in SURF!, and outline his vision for the future impact and responsibilities of surfing in Cornwall.
On Thursday 2nd April, artist Andy Hughes will explore the powerful intersection of surf culture, contemporary art, and coastal activism in his lecture, ‘Waves of Change.’ Andy will share his recent art, photography, and film work connected to the global crisis of plastic pollution, alongside powerful works by others.
Finally, on Thursday 14th May, Skewjack Stories curator Rachel Yates takes the audience on a journey to the UK’s first and only surf village.
Operating in the far west of Cornwall from 1971 to the 1980s, Skewjack was a surf camp that blazed a trail in more ways than one. From sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll to changing surf culture and attitudes, Skewjack was a pioneering community that was ultimately forced to navigate the price of its success.
Rachel highlights how Skewjack lives on today and explores how we might learn from the pioneering community, creating authentic and reciprocal relationships with each other and the Ocean.
All lectures begin at 7.30pm, with doors open from 7pm. Refreshments are available, and for each, there is an option to watch online instead. NMMC members receive a 10% discount on tickets for the in-person lectures.
For futher information follow the link below:
