Boardmasters reveals first wave of acts for 2025

Boardmasters reveals first wave of acts for 2025

Boardmasters returns next summer and today, it reveals a huge first wave of acts for 2025 including two world-class headliners and 40+ other massive names. RAYE and The Prodigy are topping the bill next August, along with London Grammar, Maribou State, Wet Leg, Nelly Furtado, Kaiser Chiefs, Rizzle Kicks, Natasha Bedingfield, Bou, Bru-C and tons more. Cornwall’s own surf and music festival will be taking place from 6-10 August 2025 across two spectacular sites of Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach.

Boardmasters is a must-attend festival and the only place to check out both the biggest names in music and top-of-their-game international pro surf talent, across two beautiful locations on the Cornish coast. Now is the final call to sign up for Boardmasters’ presale giving fans exclusive 24h access on tickets – sign-ups close at midnight tonight, Wednesday 27 November. With demand at an all-time-high, fans are encouraged to sign up now. Tickets for Boardmasters 2025 go on sale at 10am, Friday 29 November, with presale tickets from 10am on Thursday 28 November – payment plans are available. For more information visit boardmasters.com. We’ll see you at the beach!

Boardmasters first headliner for 2025 is none other than RAYE, the unstoppable woman of the moment. With six BRIT Awards to her name (making her the most awarded artist in a single night in BRITS history) and three GRAMMY nominations, RAYE has cemented her place as a global music sensation. Her chart-topping success was solidified in 2023 with ‘Escapism’, her first UK #1 single, while her artistry earned her a prestigious Mercury Prize nomination. Known for her genre-defying sound, electrifying performances and unmatched vocals, RAYE returns to Boardmasters, this time where she belongs – headlining the main stage.

Get ready, Boardmasters, as the most influential electro group ever to emerge from the UK, are primed to headline 2025. Marking their Boardmasters debut, The Prodigy, renowned for their heady techno punk sound and iconic tracks ‘Omen’, ‘Firestarter’ and ‘Breathe’ join the bill. Their breakthrough album titled The Fat of the Land rapidly became a global phenomenon, cementing the band’s status as trailblazers in the electronic scene. Now, driven by Howlett and frontman Maxim, reigniting their longstanding and loyal fanbase and introducing their sound to fresh ears and audiences, The Prodigy remain as vital a force as ever. Raw, rebellious and unapologetic, this is not to be missed.

There’s even more global talent heading to Watergate Bay. Pop icon Nelly Furtado, known for chart-topping hits ‘I’m Like a Bird’ and ‘Promiscuous’ will be at Boardmasters for what’s set to be one of the biggest sing-along sets of the entire weekend. Plus, indie trio London Grammar bring their dreamy, ethereal sounds to Cornish shores following this year’s release of their latest studio album ‘The Greatest Love’ and a string of sell-out arena shows. Electronic duo Maribou State promise a fusion of soulful electronica and atmospheric beats, providing the perfect sounds for the stunning setting of Watergate Bay, while Mercury Prize-winning indie rockers Wet Leg will unleash their smash hits like ‘Chaise Longue’, cementing their place as one of the most exciting bands right now.

Next year for the first time, Boardmasters will welcome afternoon special guests on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to keep the party going throughout the day. Special guests for 2025 are Leeds indie rockers Kaiser Chiefs who come armed with a wealth of huge, anthemic hits, hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks who’ve made the biggest comeback of the year including their first show in nearly a decade at London’s KOKO this month, and the brilliant Natasha Bedingfield whose catalogue is packed with summer goodness with the likes of ‘Unwritten’, ‘These Words’ and ‘Pocketful of Sunshine’.

Elsewhere on the stacked line-up are electronic trailblazers Bou + B LIve 24, and Bru-C whose anthems like ‘No Excuses’ have made waves in the UK bass scene. Indie rock legends Franz Ferdinand will bring their timeless singalong hits including ‘Take Me Out’ and ‘Do You Want To’, while Hard Life promises a fresh and raw sound. Also heading for Cornwall next summer, Interplanetary Criminal sure to drop fan favourites like ‘Baddest of Them All’, and Myles Smith – recently named BBC Introducing Artist of the Year. The lineup is bolstered even further by Ocean Alley’s psychedelic rock vibes and Salute’s innovative beats.

Ahadadream will bring global club sounds, while rising star A Little Sound will showcase her powerful voice on hits like ‘Let Go’. Arielle Free promises a DJ set packed with euphoric house goodness, with Badgerserving up high-energy beats. Fans of bass music can look forward to Basslayerz bringing their signature heavy drops, while singer-songwriter Beth Mccarthy will captivate with hits like ‘She Gets the Flowers’. Bob Vylan will bring a dose of punk rock, with Fat Dog sure to deliver an unforgettable performance. Irish sensation Jazzy known for viral hits like ‘Giving Me’ joins the bill, too along with ‘Dream Catch Me’ hitmakerNewton Faulkner, and garage favourite Oppidan.

Others joining the bill include ‘Why Am I Like This’ singer Orla Gartland, the ethereal Paris Paloma, plus Sally C and Bakey both keeping the energy high. Biianco and Dan Shake will be headed to Boardies with Dan Shake B2B Charlie Boon, post-punkers Deadletter, Emily Makis, reggae-infused Gardna, Joshua James with the underground house, and Lu.re. Not forgetting Luvcat, Paige Tomlinson, Sim0ne, Soft Launch, Storm Mollison and Waze completing a mega FIRST WAVE drop for Boardmasters 2025.

Beyond the music, there’s plenty for festival goers to enjoy and discover at Boardmasters. In partnership with various local schools, there are opportunities to engage in an array of fun water-based activities at locations near to the site. These include surf lessons, coasteering, kayaking tours, surf hire (wetsuits and boards), SUP tours, superSUP tours, and bodyboard lessons. These are all bookable via the Boardmasters website.

Campers can take some time-out and chill at Zennor Haven. This is the perfect place to pause for a moment of mindfulness, with sound baths, wellness discussions and panel talks, massages and workshops. Those looking for workouts and weights can make their way to a Boardmasters favourite – Muscle Beach. Located within the campsites, Boardmasters’ very own full outdoor gym comes with the added extra of DJs, daily challenges and prizes to be won. In the main arena, festival goers can enjoy the Keg & Pasty, The Boulevard, Daily Beach Cleans, Street Food, Pub Quizzes, Surf Screenings, Bingo, Karaoke, Family Fun, the fabulous Cornwall Rock Choir belting out singalong classics, and of course, the famous Silent Disco at the Main Stage, with everything from chart-toppers to indie hits, RnB classics to dance anthems, running for five nights it is simply not to be missed.

The Boardmasters OPEN will be back once again. Steeped in heritage since 1981, festival-goers can head to Fistral Beach in Newquay to watch some of the biggest, most progressive names in international pro surfing crowned as the next Boardmasters champions, across five exhilarating days. Next year’s competition follows a huge year for homegrown talent in 2024, with Cornwall teen Lukas Skinner taking first place in the Junior Open and BYD Pro shortboard finals. Competitions include the Boardmasters OPEN men’s and women’s division and the Boardmasters Longboard OPEN men’s and women’s division. Plus festival goers can also witness the new generation of groms showcasing their talent in the Boardmasters Junior OPEN boys and girls division – more info will be dropped early next year.

This year, Boardmasters camping just got a whole lot better with more options to choose from than ever before. GA Weekend Camping includes entry to the festival, general campsites and main arena, the new Camping+ offers a reserved camping pitch and the use of premium facilities including hot showers and comes with 24h reception support, and there’s a brand new Chilled Camping zone can host groups of 6 per party – with a dedicated campsite with controlled access, an 11pm noise curfew and a 24h reception. Pre-Pitched returns for 2, 4 or 8 person tents complete with complimentary airbeds, a friendly reception team, hot showers, proper loos and food traders nearby, VIP Weekend camping comes with all the add-ons such as a reserved pitch, posh showers and loos, access to the pamper lounge, a complimentary on site parking pass, live music, food traders, a bar, and access to the hospitality lounge in the main arena, while the offering in Boutique Camping has been elevated with a wider range of premium accommodation options, with a mobile charging station, street food, artisan coffee and much more!

For the first time, Boardmasters is offering accommodation packages for those choosing to stay off-site in Newquay. Attendees can now make the most of their festival weekend with a range of options close to the festival site. Just a five-minute walk from the world-famous Fistral Beach, Elemental Surf Lodge is the go-to spot to catch the perfect wave and enjoy great accommodation. Options include 4-8 person rooms, double rooms and bunk twins, with room packages including free wetsuit hire, a free surf lesson per day of stay, free Wi-Fi, free breakfast buffet, on-site surf school and more! Opened just this year, SeaSpace is Cornwall’s first coastal aparthotel located just a ten minute walk to the festival. Guests can choose from 2&3 bedroom apartments, large studios, studios and accessible studios. SeaSpace includes kitted out kitchens, lounge areas, a swimming pool, gym and fitness classes, all a stone’s throw from the action.

Those travelling to Boardmasters are encouraged to choose greener options. New for 2025, there will be an increase from 85 to 119 long distance routes with Big Green Coach, servicing festival goers from all over the country, as well as 50 coaches serving the nearby park and ride. Organisers have also relocated drop-offs, now nearer to gates for speedier arrival times and reduced time carrying heavy bags! For more information on getting to Boardmasters, visit the website here.

Boardmasters prides itself on the safety and welfare of each and every guest and attendee. This year, the festival has announced enhanced security measures to make next summer even better – safer, smoother, and of course, as fun as ever. This includes a 20% increase in security across the site, an increase in the number of Wi-Fi hot spot zones in the arenas and campsites, 25 more entry search lanes to allow for more thorough searches without increasing wait times, double the number of elevated watchtower locations in the campsites with 24h security presence, and a 50% increase in high visibility security patrols in campsites both day and night. Knowing parents and guardians may have more they’d like to know, Boardmasters will once again be hosting parent webinars with ItHappens Education covering topics such as festival safety, drugs & alcohol, sex and consent. These are designed to ensure parents have the information and tools to have positive conversations with their young people ahead of attending their first festival. These are taking place on Wednesday 11th December 2024 at 7pm, with others to be announced in 2025. Sign up here.

Tickets for Boardmasters 2025 go on sale at 10am, Friday 29 November 2024, with pre-sale tickets from Thursday 28 November. Last chance to sign up to the Boardmasters pre-sale now at boardmasters.com.

Boardmasters 2025 Ticket Types & Information

PAYMENT PLANS – Festival goers can spread their ticket payments (+ service & booking fee), (plus a £20 redeemable litter bond for camping tickets).

LITTER BOND – £20 fully redeemable

BOARDMASTERS 2025 TICKETS – from £229 for Wednesday Camping Tier 1 (+ booking fee) & £20 litter bond.

TICKET TYPES ON SALE – Wednesday Camping, Thursday Camping, VIP Weekend Camping, 3 Day No Camping, Coach Packages, Boardmasters Boutique, Prepitched, Reserved pitch, Car Parking + Campervan

South Swell Storyrider

South Swell Storyrider

Being thrown into the unknown can feel like a nightmare. But what if the unknown turns out to be fun? This is the story of a rare moment when the rules of surfing in Portugal are completely upended.

Southern swells are a rare phenomenon—just a handful appear each year. When surfers spot one on the horizon, it sparks an undeniable excitement. It’s a break from the norm. Our coastline is designed for northern swells, so encountering something different feels like tackling a math test after prepping for Portuguese—but with far less panic and way more curiosity.

So, what happens to surfing when the familiar sea transforms into something entirely unexpected?

That’s what we set out to discover.

Produced by: @duarte_lapa

Gathering of the Clans 2024 (Scottish Inter-Club Surfing Championships) will take place this Saturday at Lost Shore Surf Resort

Gathering of the Clans 2024 (Scottish Inter-Club Surfing Championships) will take place this Saturday at Lost Shore Surf Resort

The Gathering of the Clans (Scottish Inter-Club Surfing Championships) will take place this Saturday at Lost Shore Surf Resort – the first ever surfing event to take place at the new wave pool.

Recent iterations of this event have taken place all around Scotland; Pease Bay, Shetland, Fraserburgh, Tiree, Thurso and Aberdeen and this will be the first time the event will have taken place so close to the capital and as such Scottish Surfing are hoping for a showcase to a whole new audience.

Spectators are welcome at the event which will be followed by a canape reception (5pm) and then St Andrews day after party with DJ (7:30pm til late) in the Lost Shore events suite.

Defending Open division champions for the last two years Phoebe Strachan (NSSC) and Mark Boyd (NSSC) will be defending their titles as well as trying to win the club title for the North Shore Surf Club for the 7th consecutive year.

Phoebe Strachan said;

“I’m really looking forward to this weekend’s event which is a great opportunity for people to come and see the ever increasing standard of Scottish Surfing – the team aspect of the comp is going to be really exciting this year and I can’t wait to compete in a pool for the first time.”

Last year’s Open Men’s runner up and Junior winner Craig McLachlan (NSSC), now graduated out of the junior division, will be looking to take top honours along with his team mates. Sam Christopherson of Belhaven Surf Club (BHSC) will be defending the Masters (40+) title, Callie Cruickshank of the Broch Surf Club (BSC) the Junior Girls division and despite being victorious for the Broch in last year’s Longboard division, Malcolm Findlay will be replaced by Glen Bruce (BSC).

The following club teams will compete in the event for the Clans sword and quaich;

North Shore Surf Club (Thurso)

Belhaven Surf Club (Dunbar)

Broch Surf Club (Fraserburgh)

Edinburgh & Borders Surf Club (Edinburgh)

Lossie Surf Club (Lossiemouth)

Aberdeen Surf Club (Aberdeen)

Sandend Surf Club (Sandend)

Tiree Surf Club (Tiree)

Competitors will be scored on their best 2 out of 4-6 waves in each 15-20minute heat. The event will run from 8am – 4pm this Saturday and Scottish Surfing and Lost Shore Surf Resort look forward to welcoming competitors and spectators along to the new facility where there will also be affiliate and partners stalls in the event suite during the day for the public to browse and visit.

Live scores and Live Stream links will be posted on Scottish Surfing’s Facebook Group and on www.scottishsurfing.scot later this week

Shaun Tomson Relaunches Iconic Instinct Brand

Shaun Tomson Relaunches Iconic Instinct Brand

Exciting news from world champion surfer, bestselling author, and transformational speaker Shaun Tomson! Shaun is relaunching Instinct, the iconic surfwear brand that first defined style and innovation in the 1980s.

Shaun was the first athlete to win 19 pro surf contests and the youngest and the oldest ever to win an event. He revolutionised tube riding. won a Pipe Masters title in 1975/1976 and came up with legendary quote “Time is expanded inside the tube,” as well as starring in classic films like Freeride.

Shaun’s inspiring journey continues to bridge the worlds of sports, business, and personal transformation. Whether through his Code Method workshops, empowering keynotes, or innovative projects like this, Shaun’s message remains the same: find your purpose and create positive waves of change.

Shaun launched the company at the peak of his professional surfing career in 1979, but sold the company a decade later. He wants Instinct to be “the world’s first social purpose-driven surfwear brand.” by committing to sustainability, and offering eco-friendly apparel, and a mission “to unite and inspire people through the values of the Surfer’s code.”

 

 

 

 

Below Freezing Shallow Irish Slab

Below Freezing Shallow Irish Slab

G Man takes us on a quick 1hr pov surf , surfing in below freezing conditions.

“Winter has finally come. The first day of freezing temperatures made going surfing a bit more difficult this day but surfing a perfect slab with just one friend out made it a whole lot better.”

 

Keep on keeping on: The 73 year-old surfer

Keep on keeping on: The 73 year-old surfer

A short film about 73 year young surfer Eric Davies. Eric has won multiple surfing titles across multiple decades, battled cancer and is a great example of how 70 is the new 30… Maybe 40… with more and more surfers staying fit, stoked and ripping into retirement!

Filmed in North Devon by Tom Bowman it recently won ‘Shortie of the Year’ at London Surf Film Festival 2024.