big wave world tour

Big Wave World Tour

What is big wave world tour.

The Big Wave World Tour (BWWT) stands as a pinnacle in the world of professional surfing. It is an exceptional and highly-regarded series of events that showcases the art of conquering colossal waves, placing the spotlight on big wave surfers who seek to ride the planet’s most immense swells.

At its core, the BWWT is a thrilling journey that takes surf enthusiasts and athletes alike to the most breathtaking surf destinations on the globe. Organized by Rogue Wave Events, this tour has been a significant force in the world of big wave surfing since its inception in 2009. Its key mission is to offer a platform for surfers to challenge themselves on awe-inspiring waves and to highlight their incredible skills and achievements.

The driving force behind the BWWT is a passionate team, co-owned and co-operated by Gary Linden and Pierre Camoin. With Executive Tour Director Gary Linden leading the charge, the tour benefits from his extensive experience in big wave riding, judging, and organizing surfing events across the world. His vision and dedication have played a pivotal role in the tour’s success, making him a mentor and role model for many big wave riders today.

Moreover, the BWWT wouldn’t be complete without the significant contributions of Tour Manager Pierre Camoin. With a wealth of experience in organizing skateboarding and surfing events, Pierre plays a vital role in ensuring the tour’s seamless operation.

In essence, the Big Wave World Tour is a celebration of the relentless pursuit of thrill and adventure, where surfers take on nature’s most formidable forces while audiences worldwide are left in awe. The tour serves as a global stage for these daring athletes, a testament to their unparalleled courage, and an invitation for the world to join in celebrating the art of big wave riding. It is a journey that transcends sport, offering an opportunity to witness the extraordinary in the natural world and be part of the excitement that defines big wave surfing at its finest.

BigWaveWorldTour.com understands the demands of an adventurous life. That’s why we explore innovative tools that help you conquer your goals, like EssayBot, an AI writing assistant. Essay Bot reviews tackles generating essays on various subjects at lightning speed, offering you fast, automated support to free up your time and focus on what matters most. This makes it a powerful asset for adrenaline seekers and busy professionals who need to streamline their writing and maximize productivity. Whether you’re crafting a travel blog post, composing a compelling report, or simply need help structuring your ideas, EssayBot provides a practical solution to elevate your written communication without derailing your adventures.

Our mission

The mission of the Big Wave World Tour is to provide  studybay  platform that celebrates the extraordinary skills and boundless courage of big wave surfers. It is a mission dedicated to showcasing the mesmerizing beauty and power of the world’s most iconic surf destinations, serving as a testament to the indomitable human spirit. With a commitment to safety and a deep passion for the sport, the tour aims to create unforgettable experiences for both participants and spectators. In doing so, it inspires a global community to appreciate the art of big wave riding and the natural wonders of the oceans.

Celebrating Big Wave Surfing Excellence

Our first mission is to celebrate and showcase the extraordinary skills and boundless courage of big wave surfers. We strive to provide a global platform that recognizes and honors the remarkable achievements of these fearless athletes as they conquer colossal waves, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the sport.

Showcasing Natural Wonders

Our second mission is to showcase the awe-inspiring beauty and power of the world's most iconic surf destinations. We take great pride in bringing these breathtaking natural wonders to the forefront, offering a profound appreciation for the environment in which big wave surfing thrives.

Creating Unforgettable Experiences

Our third mission is to create unforgettable experiences for both participants and spectators. By ensuring a safe and electrifying environment, we invite individuals to witness the art of big wave riding at its finest. Through thrilling events and inspiring moments, we aim to ignite a global community's passion for the sport and the natural wonders of the oceans.

Got a Question?

The BWWT is a prestigious series of big wave surfing events that showcase the skills and bravery of professional surfers as they tackle massive waves around the world.

The tour was created in 2009 and has been a prominent fixture in the world of big wave surfing ever since.

The tour is co-owned and co-operated by Gary Linden and Pierre Camoin. Gary Linden serves as the Executive Tour Director.

The tour travels to iconic surf spots around the world, including locations like Teahupo’o, Jaws, Mavericks, and more.

Surfers earn their place through a combination of skills, experience, and previous achievements in the world of big wave surfing.

Tickets for upcoming events are typically available on the official BWWT website, or through authorized ticket vendors.

Big wave surfing involves riding waves that can be over 20 feet high, requiring exceptional courage and skill. It is considered one of the most challenging and exhilarating forms of surfing.

The safety of surfers is a top priority. BWWT organizers take extensive measures to ensure the well-being of participants, including comprehensive safety protocols and experienced water safety teams.

Yes, most BWWT events are open to the public, allowing spectators to witness the thrilling action from the shores.

You can stay informed by visiting the official BWWT website, following the tour’s social media channels, and subscribing to the newsletter for regular updates, news, and event announcements.

Big Wave World Tour (BWWT)

International paddle-in only big-wave surf competition series in which events run only if wave heights reach 30 feet at the contest site. The BWWT was founded in 2009 by big-wave surfer, shaper, and former ASP boss Gary Linden. Four events were scheduled for the inaugural season: Punta de Lobos, Chile; Pico Alto, Peru; Maverick's, California; and Todos Santos, Mexico, each to be held over a season...

Subscribe or Login

Plans start at $5, cancel anytime Trouble logging-in? Contact us.

Encyclopedia of Surfing

• big-wave surfing
• Burle, Carlos
• competitive surfing
• Linden, Gary

• Ways to Watch
• Tahiti Bound
• WSL One Ocean
• Notifications

2023/2024 WSL Big Wave Season Now Open

World's best big wave surfers await peʻahi and nazaré swells through march 31, 2024.

Monday, November 6, 2023 Updated: Tuesday, November 7, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Calif., USA (Monday, November 6, 2023) - The World Surf League (WSL) 2023/2024 Big Wave season is officially open. This Big Wave season will feature events at two iconic locations: the TUDOR NAZARÉ Big wave Challenge in Nazaré, Portugal, and the TUDOR JAWS Big Wave Challenge at Peʻahi on Maui, Hawaii. The holding period to run the competition at Nazaré opens today and Peʻahi starts on November 10th. Both events' holding period closes on March 31, 2024.

The WSL Tours and Competition Team will closely monitor the swells and conditions needed to run these events and will call the competition ON once wave heights and weather align for the best possible conditions. The best big wave surfers in the world will be on call to activate at a moment's notice and travel to one of the two world-class venues.

These events will be a thrilling showcase of the fearless athletes who have wholeheartedly committed their lives to chasing monumental swells and conquering towering waves. With relentless year-round mental and physical training, they stand ready to tackle these colossal challenges head-on. This is their moment to demonstrate their unparalleled prowess, pushing the boundaries of big wave surfing to unprecedented heights while inspiring the world with their unmatched determination and skill.

Big Wave Surfers Prepare for Major Swells

Peʻahi (also known as Jaws) in Maui and Praia do Norte in Nazaré are two of the most renowned and respected waves in the big wave community. Each location is a significant proving ground for the paddle-in and tow-in disciplines, respectively, and the site of historical World Records for the largest waves ever ridden.

Some of the most memorable moments in big wave surfing have happened during these past events. The 2019 Pe'ahi event saw massive barrels and heavy wipeouts. The 2022 Nazaré Challenge witnessed the next level of tow surfing as competitors performed technical maneuvers on giant waves.

The WSL Tours and Competition team will look for consistent surf, with a minimum of 25 feet on the face of the wave throughout the competition. Other conditions, such as wind, tide, and fog, will be assessed in the decision to run the competitions. If a large swell tracks toward the contest location(s) with favorable weather conditions, the WSL Tours and Competition team will issue a probable start "Big Wave Yellow Alert" as far as 72 hours out from the potential event run date. If the conditions continue to track favorably, the "Big Wave Green Alert" will be issued, meaning the competition will be ON, and fans can prepare to watch surfers push the limits of what is possible in the next 24 hours.

The WSL is also thrilled to announce the commencement of our Big Wave season in collaboration with Red Bull, marking the fifth consecutive year of the partnership. As a testament to Red Bull's unwavering commitment to Big Wave, fans and extreme sports enthusiasts worldwide can experience every heart-pounding moment LIVE via Red Bull TV and WorldSurfLeague.com.

TUDOR Jaws Big Wave Challenge

About the Venue: Peʻahi, Maui, Hawaii

The TUDOR Jaws Big Wave Challenge will showcase paddle-in surfing at the famed break off of Maui, Hawaii. Due to its power, velocity, and ability to be one of the most perfect big waves on the planet, Peʻahi is the standard venue when it comes to paddle-in big wave surfing.

Recognizing the devastating Maui wildfires, the WSL continues to work with local surfers, civic, and community leaders to ensure that this event directly benefits Maui's people and economy, and is a source of support and community revitalization along the lengthy road to recovery.

As with all Big Wave competitions held at Peʻahi since the event's inception, due to safety and environmental concerns, there is no location available for on-site spectating during the TUDOR Jaws Big Wave Challenge. There will be no parking available to non-residents on either side of Hana Highway anywhere near the event location on the day of the competition. All the action from the competition will be broadcast live and fans are encouraged to tune in to the live broadcast or support local businesses that air the event live.

About the Format and Invitees

The TUDOR Jaws Big Wave Challenge will feature paddle-in surfing in an individual competition format. In the men's division, 24 competitors are divided into four heats of six surfers for the first round. The three highest-scoring surfers advance to the Semifinals, which run in the same format, and the top three surfers from the Semifinals advance to the Final. The women's division runs in a similar format with 12 competitors participating in two six-surfer Semifinals with the top three surfers in each heat advancing to the Final.

This season will be the first time six-surfer priority will come into play in a big wave competition. Priority is the system that controls who has the first option to ride a wave. The priority system was requested by the surfers and is beneficial for Peʻahi because it creates organization and adds safety in the lineup in massive swells. Heats are generally 45 minutes and surfers may catch as many waves as they wish, respecting priority, with a panel of five judges scoring each ride on a scale of 1 to 10. Each competitor's two best waves are counted, with their best-wave score doubled.

Confirmed competitor lists and heat draws will be shared closer to the event being called on as athletes confirm their participation.

Men's Invitees: 1 - Billy Kemper (HAW) 2 - Ian Walsh (HAW) 3 - Nathan Florence (HAW) 4 - Kai Lenny (HAW) 5 - Makuakai Rothman (HAW) 6 - Lucas Chianca (BRA) 7 - Russell Bierke (AUS) 8 - Nic von Rupp (PRT) 9 - Eli Olson (HAW) 10 - Torrey Meister (HAW) 11 - Koa Rothman (HAW) 12 - Nic Lamb (USA) 13 - Grant Baker (RSA) 14 - Jamie Mitchell (AUS) 15 - Albee Layer (HAW) 16 - Tyler Larronde (HAW) 17 - Jojo Roper (USA) 18 - Ty Simpson-Kane (HAW) 19 - Matthew Bromley (RSA) 20 - Francisco Porcella (ITA) 21 - Trevor Carlson (HAW) 22- Tom Lowe (GBR) 23 - Aaron Gold (HAW) 24 - Greg Long (USA)

Women's Invitees: 1 - Paige Alms (HAW) 2 - Felicity Palmateer (AUS) 3 - Annie Reickert (HAW) 4 - Keala Kennelly (HAW) 5 - Emily Erickson (HAW) 6 - Michaela Fregonese (BRA) 7 - Bianca Valenti (USA) 8 - Skylar Lickle (HAW) 9 - Justine Dupont (FRA) 10 - Raquel Heckert (BRA) 11 - Laura Enever (AUS) 12 - Izzi Gomez (COL)

TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge

About the Venue: Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal

The TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge, will showcase the best of big wave surfing in the tow-in discipline. In this competition, competitors will work in teams, utilizing jet skis to surf the biggest waves possible at Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal. Praia do Norte is home to some of the biggest waves in the world, including the current Big Wave Tow Surfing World Records. Sebastian Steudtner (GER) currently holds the record for the largest wave surfed (unlimited) - male, for his 86-foot ride at Nazaré in 2021.

The TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge will be a specialty one-day, teams event with tow-in surfing. There will be nine teams made up of two competitors in each team. The teams will be divided into three groups with three teams in each group. The competition will have a total of six 40-minute heats, where each group will participate in two heats, with each team alternating between surfing and driving the team's jet ski.

A surfer's best two waves after surfing both heats will count to an individual total score, with the best wave counting as double points. In total, a surfer's maximum individual score will be 30 points, as each wave is scored from 1-10 points. Surfers will be awarded across multiple categories at the end of the competition day.

TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge Invitees: Team 1: Lucas Chianca (BRA) and Kai Lenny (HAW) Team 2: Nic von Rupp (PRT) and Pedro Scooby (BRA) Team 3: Andrew Cotton (GBR) and Will Skudin (USA) Team 4: Rodrigo Koxa (BRA) and Kealii Mamala (HAW) Team 5: João De Macedo (PRT) and Antonio Silva (PRT) Team 6: Sebastian Steudtner (DEU) and Daniel Goldberg (HAW) Team 7: Maya Gabeira (BRA) and Pierre Rollet (FRA) Team 8: Michelle des Bouillons (BRA) and Ian Cosenza (PRT) Team 9: Justine Dupont (FRA) and Eric Rebiere (FRA)

Alternate Teams: Rafael Tapia (CHL) and Jamie Mitchell (AUS) Tony Laureano (PRT) and Pierre Caley (FRA) Benjamin Sanchis (FRA) Jerome Sahyoun (MAR)

Watch LIVE The TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge, holds a waiting period from November 6, 2023, through March 31, 2024. The TUDOR Jaws Big Wave Challenge, holds a waiting period from November 10, 2023, through March 31, 2024. The competitions will be broadcast LIVE on Red Bull TV and WorldSurfLeague.com .

The 2023/2024 WSL Big Wave competitions are proudly supported by TUDOR, Red Bull, Surfline, and 805 Beer.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com .

• Credentials
• Mailing List
• Images and Videos
• Regional Media Contacts
• Frequently Asked Questions

Press Contacts

Email our press team at: [email protected]

For non-urgent matters, please contact our Los Angeles office at: +1-310-450-1212

World Surf League

Tours and competition.

• Competitor Services
• Rules and Regulations
• Give Feedback

Money blog: Victorian island forts - complete with helipads and nightclubs - up for sale

Two Victorian island forts that were used to defend the Portsmouth dockyards during the Second World War have been listed for auction for £1m each. Read this and the rest of today's consumer news in the Money blog.

Friday 7 June 2024 20:55, UK

• 100,000 reportedly due to remortgage onto higher rates before election - here's what you need to know
• Victorian island forts - complete with nightclub - up for sale
• Does Wetherspoons buy lose to out-of-date beer?
• Rents fall in some big cities
• How much a last-minute Taylor Swift ticket will set you back

Essential reads

• Why you should consider swapping chicken breasts out of your shopping basket
• How brands get you to buy more, more, more
• Ed Conway : Claim of £2k tax rise under Labour is over four years - same maths suggests Tories have raised taxes by £13k in last four years
• How much are student loans, when do you start paying back and what is the interest?
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

Ever wanted to own your own Victorian island fort?

Well now you can - with two being listed with a guide price of £1m.

Spitbank Fort in Hampshire and No Man's Land Fort off the Isle of Wight have been listed for auction and can be bought separately - or as a pair if you can't pick between the two.  

During the Second World War, the forts were used to defend the Portsmouth dockyards. 

No Man's Fort is substantially bigger and probably presents itself more as a business opportunity, but Spitbank offers nine large bedroom suites across three floors and could potentially work as a private home to the right buyer. 

No Man's Fort has its own traditional English pub, a nightclub, and a helipad, while Spitbank Fort naturally boasts a wine cave plus a swimming pool and spa complex.

"Throughout my career as an auctioneer I've seen several sea forts hit the market that have achieved impressive prices as buyers have sought to pursue these trophy assets," said Robin Howeson, head of Savills Auctions.

"Having been carefully restored by the current owners, No Man's and Spitbank Fort represent exceptional market value, each guided at £1m. 

"Both offer an opportunity like no other; a waterfront location, up to 99,000sq ft of space and a chance to champion the heritage and legacy of these iconic maritime structures."

The auction takes place on 18 June. 

The BBC's content arm is among the suitors vying to buy the television production company which owns the rights to The Gruffalo.

Sky News has learnt that BBC Studios is participating in a sale process for Magic Light Pictures, which has won three BAFTAs and secured a quartet of Oscar nominations.

The auction is being run by Gotham Street, a specialist media deals boutique.

A number of other bidders are also said to be involved in the process given the quality of Magic Light's content library, which includes a number of works by The Gruffalo's creators, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

The Gruffalo has become one of Britain's best-known children's characters, telling the story of an adventurous mouse that fends off a series of would-be predators by telling them about a supposedly imaginary creature called a gruffalo.

In the 2011 sequel, The Gruffalo's Child, the mouse then scares off a young gruffalo by using shadows to project a giant version of itself.

The two films have been distributed internationally by Magic Light, and along with the original Gruffalo books have sparked substantial merchandising revenues as well as a theme park attraction at Chessington World of Adventures.

The woman alleged to be the inspiration for the stalker in hit Netflix series Baby Reindeer is suing the streaming platform for $170m (£133m).

The show is said to be based on the real-life experiences of writer Richard Gadd, who plays himself as he copes with stalker Martha Scott.

Fiona Harvey, 58, claims she is the inspiration for Martha, who begins stalking Gadd after he serves her a free cup of tea in the pub where he works.

In the lawsuit, Ms Harvey has accused Netflix of spreading "brutal lies", including that she is a "twice convicted stalker who was sentenced to five years in prison".

"Defendants told these lies, and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money," it states.

"As a result of defendants' lies, malfeasance and utterly reckless misconduct, Harvey's life had been ruined."

Sky News's US partner network NBC News reports the lawsuit described the show's claim "this is a true story" as "the biggest lie in television history".

"Netflix destroyed a woman, claiming, among many allegations, that she was a convicted woman," Richard Roth, a lawyer for Ms Harvey, wrote in an email.

"It never contacted her. It never checked the facts. It never made any effort to understand the truth of its 'true story!'"

The lawsuit seeks actual damages and compensatory damages at $50m (£39m) each, punitive damages at $20m (£16m); as well as "all profits" from Baby Reindeer at $50m (£39m).

A Netflix spokesperson told Sky News: "We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadd's right to tell his story."

Administrators to The Body Shop are aiming to clinch a sale of the stricken cosmetics retailer by the end of the month, even as its former owner veers away from making an offer for it.

Sky News' city editor Mark Kleinman has learnt that FRP Advisory, which was appointed to handle the chain's insolvency in January, has asked for indicative bids by next Tuesday.

British entrepreneur Mike Lynch has been cleared of all charges by a US jury in the high-profile fraud case related to the sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011.

Dr Lynch, who was extradited to the US to face trial just over a year ago, was acquitted alongside a former finance executive Stephen Chamberlain who had faced the same charges.

They were accused of conspiracy and attempted fraud over the £8.3bn sale to HP - a deal that has been the subject of costly legal action since.

Labour is promising to get more young people on the housing ladder as it announces its "freedom to buy" scheme on Friday.

The party is pledging to make the existing mortgage guarantee scheme - which sees the government act as a guarantor for people unable to save big deposits - into a permanent fixture if it wins the election on 4 July.

Meanwhile, the Tories are promising a tax cut for parents by raising the threshold for when families have to pay a levy on their child benefit.

The current system means if either parents or a parent's partner earns more than £60,000, they begin paying the high income child benefit tax charge, and lose the benefit altogether when a salary hits £80,000.

But if the Tories win the election on 4 July, they have promised to increase the threshold to £120,000 before any tax is paid, and to £160,000 before the benefit is withdrawn, as well as base it on a household income, rather than an individual.

If you missed out on the general sales but want to bag yourself a last-minute ticket to Taylor Swift's show in Edinburgh tonight , it could set you back a whopping £4,000. 

Not to fear, however, as it is currently possible to land yourself a ticket for as little as £271 - if you settle for a somewhat restricted view. 

We've checked resale giant Viagogo for the latest prices, accurate as of 10.30am. 

As is often the case with popular tours listed on resale sites, many of the tickets are sold individually - so if you're happy to go alone tonight, you're more likely to get a ticket. 

For context, a ticket at general sale cost somewhere between £80-£160 depending on where you sit/stand. 

As it stands, the cheapest seat with an unrestricted view of the stage is currently up for sale at £323.

Just one ticket is up for £271, but has a "restricted view". 

Bringing a crowd

If you're looking to take someone with you, the cheapest pair of tickets without any restricted view will cost you a combined £1,706.

However, if you're happy with a restricted or limited view, you can pay the cheaper price of £538 for the pair (£269 each). 

You can buy up to four tickets in the same area for £303 each (£1,212 together) for a restricted view, or £555 each (£2,220 together) for an unobstructed view of the stage. 

Getting closer to the action 

Standing tickets are much sought after given their proximity to the stage. 

As alluded to at the top of this post, one frankly optimistic reseller has listed four general admission tickets for a staggering £4,256 each (in the "floor" section shown in the map below). 

However, you can get even closer - with one ticket remaining in the separate section to the left of the stage at £651 and another to the right at £559. 

A word of caution

Ticket resale sites, including Viagogo, have previously been accused of "ripping off" consumers amid concerns customers could be turned away at venues because of restrictions on some resold tickets.

The company was told in 2019 that it was required to make a number of changes to the way it collects and presents information about tickets on its site.

It has since pledged to be compliant with UK watchdogs and now offers a "100% order guarantee [which] covers both buyers and sellers".

If you're happy paying over the odds for last-minute tickets, make sure you're buying through a site with such a guarantee and always beware of scams!

House prices in the UK dropped by 0.1% between April and May, data from mortgage lender Halifax shows.

Analysts had expected a drop of around 0.2%, while last week, rival lender Nationwide said its measure of house prices rose in May after falling in the previous two months.

In the 12 months to May, prices rose by 1.5%, Halifax said - faster than the median forecast in a Reuters news agency poll for an annual increase of 1.2%.

"Market activity remained resilient throughout the spring months, supported by strong nominal wage growth and some evidence of an improvement in confidence about the economic outlook," Halifax's head of mortgages, Amanda Bryden, said.

The stable picture for property prices over the last three months was likely to give more confidence to buyers and sellers, she added. 

Sir Keir Starmer will shortly promise to get more young people on the housing ladder as Labour announces its "freedom to buy" policy. 

We've now got some reaction from business leaders, who've been speaking to Newspage.

Justin Moy, managing director at EHF Mortgages, was not impressed. 

"Freedom to buy looks great on the first read, but then you realise it’s actually been in place since 2021 and many lenders don't use it anyway," he said. 

"Labour are effectively promoting something that already exists and isn't used," he added. 

Andrew Montlake, managing director at Coreco, disagreed, saying it marked a "promising" first offering from Labour. 

"This can allow lenders to take a longer-term approach in their offerings and ensure that competitive products are continually available for those with lower deposits. 

"Whilst it doesn't solve the long-term housing issues overnight, Labour have at least shown they understand them and have already shown they are willing to speak and engage with those on the front lines, which is more promising for the housing market as a whole should the next government be a red one."

However, many more had a negative outlook. 

Lewis Shaw, owner of Shaw Financial Services, was scathing in his assessment, saying: "This policy is about as useful as a chocolate teapot. 

"Prior to the pandemic, 95% loan-to-value mortgage lending was the norm. 

"It happened without any political interference or putting the taxpayer on the hook - has everyone forgotten that? 

"If Labour really wants to help young people buy a home, then do the things that we all know are needed: Tax the super-rich, reduce wealth inequality and build more houses. It's not rocket science."

Katy Eatenton, mortgage and protection specialist at Lifetime Wealth Management, said it was "yet another scheme with no real substance", which was echoed by Stephen Perkins, managing director at Yellow Brick Mortgages.

"This policy will not hugely impact the property market," he said. 

Shortly, we're expecting Sir Keir Starmer to promise to get more young people on the housing ladder as Labour announces its "freedom to buy".

He's set to speak in the coming hours. 

The party will pledge to make the existing mortgage guarantee scheme - which sees the government act as a guarantor for people unable to save big deposits - into a permanent fixture if it wins the election on 4 July.

Sir Keir will also commit to an overhaul of the planning system, including reintroducing housing targets, claiming his measures will see 1.5 million more homes built over the next five years.

Among the planning changes, the party will promise to tax foreign buyers "pricing out young people" from the housing market in order to pay for new planning officers, which it claims will help increase projects being signed off.

It will bring back house-build targets - scrapped by the Tories in 2022 - as well as fast-track permissions to build on brownfield sites, and reform compulsory purchase orders to "stop speculators frustrating housebuilding".

They will also promise to offer "first dibs" on new developments to local people looking for a home and reiterate their pledge to create "the next generation" of new towns.

Read more in our dedicated Politics Hub :

GAME are set to end their long-running rewards programme on 31 July and have urged customers to use their remaining credit whilst they still can.

Both the company's standard GAME Reward scheme and their Elite membership tier will cease to exist, while no further reward points will be earned from purchases made in store or online after July 15.

You can currently redeem 400 reward points for £1 off of a purchase. The end of GAME Elite will mean the end of its monthly offers and prize draws. Any outstanding paid Elite membership months will be eligible for a refund.

"We would strongly urge you to redeem your GAME reward points prior to the closure date on purchases in store or online to avoid disappointment," said GAME.

"After the closure date, GAME reward points will be reset to zero and the GAME reward account will be closed, you will no longer be able to access it and you will no longer be able to redeem your GAME reward points."

The end of GAME's reward programme is the latest move from the company to make changes to their business model.

The chain has already closed several of their own bespoke high street stores and instead taken up residence within Sports Direct and other Fraser Group outlets.

By Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter

We've now had the first interest rate cut in the UK, US and EU for years. 

Yesterday the European Central Bank (ECB) brought down the cost of borrowing in the countries using the euro - the first reduction since 2019.

Sterling stayed roughly where it has been against the euro for the last two weeks - one pound buys more euro than it has done for most of the last year, €1.1740. 

Oil prices have ticked up through the week but are still just below $80 a barrel for Brent crude, the benchmark price. 

That's cheaper than the vast majority of this year and good news for motorists.  

Signs of stabilisation can be seen in the housing market with the news that house prices fell just 0.1% in May, equivalent to a £170 drop in the average house, according to mortgage lender Halifax. 

But renting is still becoming more expensive, just at a slightly slower rate than before, according to property portal Zoopla.

The average rent costs £80 more a month compared with a year earlier.

Higher housing costs have also shown through in a market update from British homebuilder Bellway, which said it expects to sell houses at a higher price point than it previously thought.

The company is a constituent of the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 250 index of 101st to 350th most valuable companies on the London Stock Exchange which is down 0.22% this morning. 

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Can pro surfers tame the titans? Inside the WSL Big Wave season

Part of this story

TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge

Watch the action as the tudor nazaré big wave challenge rolls in the world’s biggest waves at nazaré, portugal..

TUDOR Jaws Big Wave Challenge

Follow along as the world's best prepare to paddle out at perfect pe'ahi in maui for the tudor jaws big wave challenge..

Kiteboarder, windsurfer, wing foiler and so much more – even his name means 'sea' in Hawaiian. Kai was destined to become the world's greatest-ever waterman.

Natxo González

Possessing an enormous amount of talent, basque shredder natxo gonzález is one of europe’s most prominent big wave surfers..

Andrew Cotton

British big wave surfer andrew cotton has put his home nation on the surfing map. a dad and husband, he's sacrificed a lot to get where he is today..

Lucas 'Chumbo' Chianca

Brazilian lucas 'chumbo' chianca realised early on that his future lay in big wave surfing and he's teamed up with carlos burle to become the best..

Justine Dupont

From belharra to nazaré and jaws to mavericks, justine dupont might just be the best all-around female big wave surfer in the world..

Pedro ‘Scooby’ Vianna

Charismatic brazilian, pedro ‘scooby’ vianna, is world-class surfer, who travels the world looking for the next amazing wave..

The sky is the limit for stand-up paddleboarding world champ turned big-wave wizard Izzi Gomez.

Surf sessions, the world's bravest men and women are charging the peaks at famed big wave spots around the world..

• 1 What does a big wave surfing event consist of?
• 2 When does the big wave season start?
• 3 What boards are used?
• 4 Where are the two events in the WSL 2023/2024 Big Wave season taking place?
• 5 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
• 6 TUDOR Jaws Big Wave Challenge
• 7 The history of big wave surfing

Ian Walsh running and gunning at XXL Jaws

© WSL/Keoki Saguibo

What does a big wave surfing event consist of?

When does the big wave season start, what boards are used.

Spain's Natxo Gonzalez loves challenging himself on the biggest waves

© Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool

Where are the two events in the WSL 2023/2024 Big Wave season taking place?

More from the world of big wave surfing

Lucas ‘Chumbo’ Chianca wins big at TUDOR Nazaré Tow …

Nazaré is the tiny fishing town that became big wave …, the legend of nazaré, kai lenny travels to nazaré in portugal to train with brazilian big wave charger lucas 'chumbo' chianca., the mighty waves of nazaré.

Enjoy big-wave surfers taking on the monstrous slabs at Nazaré.

• Team 1: Lucas Chianca (BRA) and Kai Lenny (HAW)
• Team 2: Nic von Rupp (PRT) and Pedro Scooby (BRA)
• Team 3: Andrew Cotton (GBR) and Will Skudin (USA)
• Team 4: Rodrigo Koxa (BRA) and Kealii Mamala (HAW)
• Team 5: João De Macedo (PRT) and Antonio Silva (PRT)
• Team 6: Sebastian Steudtner (DEU) and Daniel Goldberg (HAW)
• Team 7: Maya Gabeira (BRA) and Pierre Rollet (FRA)
• Team 8: Michelle des Bouillons (BRA) and Ian Cosenza (PRT)
• Team 9: Justine Dupont (FRA) and Eric Rebiere (FRA)
• Rafael Tapia (CHL) and Jamie Mitchell (AUS)
• Tony Laureano (PRT) and Pierre Caley (FRA)
• Benjamin Sanchis (FRA) Jerome Sahyoun (MAR)

Watch Jaws bring in the new year in characteristic epic fashion

See Jaws ring in the new year in epic style.

• Billy Kemper (HAW)
• Ian Walsh (HAW)
• Nathan Florence (HAW)
• Kai Lenny (HAW)
• Makuakai Rothman (HAW)
• Lucas Chianca (BRA)
• Russell Bierke (AUS)
• Nic von Rupp (PRT)
• Eli Olson (HAW)
• Torrey Meister (HAW)
• Koa Rothman (HAW)
• Nic Lamb (USA)
• Grant Baker (RSA)
• Jamie Mitchell (AUS)
• Albee Layer (HAW)
• Tyler Larronde (HAW)
• Jojo Roper (USA)
• Ty Simpson-Kane (HAW)
• Matthew Bromley (RSA)
• Francisco Porcella (ITA)
• Trevor Carlson (HAW)
• Tom Lowe (GBR)
• Aaron Gold (HAW)
• Greg Long (USA)
• Paige Alms (HAW)
• Felicity Palmateer (AUS)
• Annie Reickert (HAW)
• Keala Kennelly (HAW)
• Emily Erickson (HAW)
• Michaela Fregonese (BRA)
• Bianca Valenti (USA)
• Skylar Lickle (HAW)
• Justine Dupont (FRA)
• Raquel Heckert (BRA)
• Laura Enever (AUS)
• Izzi Gomez (COL)

The history of big wave surfing

Want more of this.