Boardmasters Andrew Topham (centre) and representatives of the charities that the Boardmasters Foundation is supporting the year including UKPST, SAS, RSPB and more

A new charitable foundation for Cornwall; the ‘Boardmasters Foundation’ set up by festival organisers has given £53,000 back to Cornish charity and projects.

“Born out of our desire to give back and support the culture and surrounding communities that are at the heart of our festival, the Boardmasters Foundation will build on and grow the annual fundraising and charitable donations that the festival has already made year-on-year!”

Since Since 2002 Boardmasters have been able to support a variety of local charities, organisations and projects – from Surfers Against Sewage and the UK Pro Surf Tour, to the Porth Residents Association and St Mawgan Minis Football Club.

But in 2017 they raised a huge £53,000. This year donations have been made to a wide ranging collective of charities SAS, UK Pro Surf Tour, Mawgen Porth Village Hall and primary school, to The Wave Project, RSPB, The Merlin Centre and more.

Dave Reed of UK Pro Surf Association said
” We are pleased to receive this essential support from the Boardmasters Foundation. This support is helping develop British Surfing. Giving opportunities for surfers from all over the UK, both men and women to gain invaluable competition experience. It will also assist in Junior surfing development, backing seven grommet categories from Under 12 to Under 18 allowing surfers to compete in their own age groups throughout the year in events across the UK. Undoubtedly these will be the surf stars of the future and challenging for the Boardmasters title in years to come.”

Hugo Tagholm, CEO, SAS – “As the longstanding nominated charity of the Boardmasters Foundation, Surfers Against Sewage has engaged hundreds of thousands of festival goers with our campaigns to protect waves, oceans and beaches for everyone. The annual donations from the festival helps us mobilise the largest beach clean community in the UK, now some 30,000 volunteers annually, who make a huge difference to the marine plastic pollution crisis. Our clean water campaigns also reach many more people thanks to the huge reach and unique nature of the partnership. Thanks for the amazing support.”

Claire Mucklow, Species and Habitats Officer RSPB – “Thank you Boardmasters! Your donation will go towards our advisory work with local farmers around Newquay where rare corn buntings and other threatened species need help. Such a huge event can have an impact on wildlife and working together helps minimise this, we appreciate the donation very much.”

Sally Vannoey, Head Teacher at Mawgen Porth Primary – “We’re all very grateful for this generous donation that will benefit all the children in our school. This Boardmasters Foundation grant will allow us to purchase and build a new ‘play train’ and seating areas for all the children, encouraging sociability and enjoyment in the playground, and as you can imagine, the children are very excited about it all!

Andrew Topham and happy local kids.