Surfing, Sustainability & The Future of Waveriding in Cornwall with Dr. Sam Bleakley – Lecture

Surfer Sam Bleakley stands on a surfboard, riding a wave with one arm in the air, the other arm at his side.

This event has now passed.

Thanks to all those who joined SURF! exhibition guest curator Dr Sam Bleakley as he explored how surfing in Cornwall is a driving force for the blue economy in the first lecture of the 2026 Spring Lecture Series.

About Dr Sam Bleakley

Dr Sam Bleakley is a writer, geographer, adventure activist, presenter, filmmaker, surf contest commentator and former European Longboard Champion from Cornwall. He researches and curates innovative work on surfing, sustainable tourism and geography through writing, films, events, education programmes and exhibitions. Born and raised close to Land’s End, Sam is deeply connected to and inspired by the rich tradition of surfing in Cornwall. Sam studied a MA in Geography at Pembroke College, the University of Cambridge, and researched a PhD at Falmouth University (and the University of the Arts London) on travel writing and surf exploration in Haiti. Sam also produces and presents an adventure activist series Brilliant Corners documenting emerging surf communities, responsible tourism, action sports, and the power of surfing for social good around the world.

Images: Emma Iles, Tom Prentice

Lecture Series

Surfing, Sustainability & The Future of Waveriding in Cornwall with Dr. Sam Bleakley is part of National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s 2026 Spring Lecture Series ‘Breaking Waves: Surf History, Art, and Ocean Futures‘

Other lectures in this series include: