Without going over the top we could say we have just seen the best swell of the year so far in Les Landes. Day after day of epic conditions, solid waves brushed by continuous offshore winds for those surfers who decided to stay at home. Judge for yourself by checking out this video. @ripitup.fr
Featuring: Joan Duru, Benjamin Sanchis, Miky Picon, Marc Lacomare, Vincent Duvignac, Patrick Beven, Aritz Aranburu and Charly Quivront.
Boardmasters unveils the hugely anticipated Second Wave of artists joining the 2024 lineup. This includes final headliner Sam Fender – one of the most-requested artists ever for Boardmasters – and one of the most rumoured headliners, too. Those with eagle eyes will have spotted his lyrics projected on the cliffs around Newquay recently and now it’s revealed that Sam Fender will take to the Main Stage for nothing short of an electrifying headline set. He joins previously announced headliners Stormzy and Chase & Status (Live) as well as Becky Hill, Bicep, Nia Archives, Tom Odell, Andy C, Eliza Rose and more. Cornwall’s own surf and music festival, Boardmasters is renowned for bringing the biggest names in music and surfing to Newquay. Located across two incredible sites, Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach, Boardmasters is back this year from 7 – 11 August, solidifying its reputation as one of the must-attend festivals of the year.
With Final Tier Camping tickets selling fast, fans are strongly encouraged to secure their spot at Boardmasters 2024 now, before it’s too late. The last remaining Weekend Camping Tickets are available now at www.boardmasters.com. The Boardmasters 2024 Day Ticket Presale is open now, too, and fans can add their name to get exclusive 24 hour access on Day Tickets when they go on sale soon.
You guessed it… Sam Fender is coming to Boardmasters, this time securing headliner status exactly 10 years on from his Boardies debut in 2014 where he played The View! Sam then played Boardmasters’ Land of Saints stage in 2018, and having drawn one of the biggest crowds of the weekend, festival organisers added him to the main stage line-up as well. Today, the mystery is unravelled as Boardmasters confirm Sam and his band will be joining the stellar 2024 lineup following ‘Seventeen Going Under’ and other lyrics spotted on the Newquay cliffs. After selling 110k tickets for two sell-out stadium shows in Newcastle’s St James’ Park, and headline sets at festivals around the UK and Europe, Sam has become one of Britain’s most celebrated and successful musicians of a generation. If his debut album, 2019’s “Hypersonic Missiles”, introduced a smart, street-wise songwriter with a penchant for euphoric, hard-hitting guitar anthems, it was 2021’s peerless “Seventeen Going Under” that sent the Newcastle artist stratospheric. “Seventeen Going Under” is already a record that has taken Sam right across the globe, playing to bigger rooms and wider stages, whilst reaping a clutch of awards too (including BRITs, NMEs and an Ivor Novello). Hot on the heels of his latest single ‘Homesick’ with Noah Kahan, Sam Fender will make his Cornish return, alongside headliners Stormzy and Chase & Status this August.
In partnership for the 11th year with Big Green Coach, special weekend Boardmasters services will run from Newcastle, Dalton Park and Middlesbrough, to ensure North-East fans can travel to see what is sure to be an unmissable performance. These are in addition to 80+ other UK-wide pick up locations. Big Green Coach offers hassle-free, carbon neutral travel. Find out more about travel and ticket packages at Big Green Coach.
Manchester heritage band Courteeners make their Boardmasters debut 15 years since the release of their debut album, “St. Jude”. The ‘Not Nineteen Forever’ singers have cemented themselves within the indie music scene as a band not to be missed, and will undoubtedly serve up a thrilling sing-along set at Watergate Bay. Declan McKenna will make a triumphant return to Boardmasters for 2024. Following his memorable, packed-out performances on the Main Stage and secret set on The Cove in 2022, the London singer is gearing up to captivate audiences once again. Adding to the excitement, McKenna is poised to release his highly anticipated new album next month, appropriately titled “What Happened to the Beach?” – a fitting prelude to what promises to be an unforgettable performance at Boardmasters.
Overmono are the brother D’n’B duo taking the electronic music scene by storm. In 2021, the pair won ‘UK’s Best Live Act’ at the Best of British Awards, and fans can be promised nothing less, as these two cement themselves as utterly unmissable. There’s an indie legend set for the Cornish Coast this summer, as noughties icon Kate Nash joins the line-up along with Cornwall’s own, Wunderhorse who are set to return after last year’s fan favourite performance. The English rock band are fronted by Newquay’s very own Jacob Slater and are set to return for another stellar performance. After the release and success of their debut album late last year, indie rock group NewDad are also heading to the beach this summer, alongside singer-songwriter Calum Bowie. With over 50m TikTok views, and an ever growing social media presence, Bowie is certainly not one to miss. Yorkshire songstress Fiona-Lee captivates audiences with her original storytelling of teen-hood and relationships, and Boardmasters will be no different as she makes her debut to the festival. Maya Delilah will also be bringing her music which is described as a ‘unique blend of jazz, soul and pop’ to Cornwall this summer.
Famous for its DJ line-up, the second wave does not disappoint. With top names in the D’n’B scene like hottest and most hyped pair Hedex & Eksman, Girls Don’t Sync, Syreeta, Abel, LA LA, Mixstress, 24HR Garage Girls and Dr Bubplate added to the bill for those late night stages. Charlotte Plank returns to Newquay, for another electrifying performance delivering electro goodness. Not only that, but CBBC and noughties legends, Dick and Dom are coming to Boardmasters with their very own D’n’B set, set for what is sure to be a thrilling and high octane performance.
Beyond the music, Boardmasters offers festival-goers tons of fun opportunities and experiences. In collaboration with nine local schools, this year’s festival opens the door to a world of water-based activities for attendees of all skill levels. Spanning four beautiful locations—Watergate Bay, Fistral Beach, Towan Bay, and Newquay Town Centre—participants can get stuck in with in surf lessons, coasteering, kayaking tours, surf hire (wetsuits and boards), and, new for 2024, high-speed boat rides, SUP tours, superSUP tours, SUP and snorkel excursions, and bodyboard lessons. All these activities can be booked through the Boardmasters website.
For those seeking a moment of calm amidst the excitement, Boardmasters presents Zennor Haven at the festival campsite. A haven for mindfulness, Zennor Haven offers expert-led sound baths, wellness discussions, panel talks, massages, and workshops. It’s the perfect spot to reconnect with nature and appreciate the stunning surroundings of the Cornish coast. Fitness enthusiasts can head to Muscle Beach, Boardmasters’ outdoor gym within the campsite, featuring DJs, daily challenges, and chances to win prizes. Additionally, campers can unwind under the stars at the pop-up cinema, enjoying their favourite films into the early hours.
The entertainment doesn’t end there, Boardmasters promises a day-to-night carnival of activities. From Keg & Pastonbury, The Boulevard, and daily Beach Cleans to Street Food, Pub Quizzes, Surf Screenings, Bingo, Karaoke, and Family Fun, there’s an abundance of options. Adding to the vibrancy, the Cornwall Rock Choir will fill the air with singalong classics. Stay tuned for more surprises yet to be revealed.
Exciting news for Boardmasters Boutique! The festival is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Pink Moon, a leading provider of elevated festival experiences with 15 years of expertise. Pink Moon prides itself on creating a unique, comfortable sanctuary and offer a variety of structures suitable for all budgets and an array of facilities to ensure the ultimate Boutique Camping experience.
Fans seeking to make a more sustainable travel choice, can book a Coach + Camping Ticket package with Big Green Coach.
Final Tier Camping Tickets for Boardmasters 2024 are on sale NOW at boardmasters.com. Fans can sign up to the Day Ticket Presale here for 24 hour exclusive access when Day Tickets go on sale soon.
Boardmasters 2024 Ticket Types & Information
DEPOSIT SCHEME – Festivalgoers can secure their ticket for £50 deposit (+ booking fee). The remaining balance must be paid in full anytime before midnight on Friday 26th April 2024 (plus a £10 redeemable litter bond for camping tickets).
PAYMENT PLANS – Festivalgoers can secure their ticket for £50 deposit (+ booking fee), followed by 5 x equal instalments between the month of December and Friday 26th April 2024 (plus a £10 redeemable litter bond for camping tickets).
LITTER BOND – £10 fully redeemable
BOARDMASTERS 2024 TICKETS – Final Tier camping tickets available from £299 (+ booking fee) & £10 litter bond.
TICKET TYPES ON SALE – Wednesday Camping, VIP Camping, Coach + Ticket Packages, Boardmasters Boutique, Prepitched, Reserved pitch, Car Parking + Campervan, Surf + Adventure Packages
This time Charly Quivront and Simon Levalois-Bazer bring us to Guadeloupe, Simon’s native island, with Gatien Delahaye, Charly Martin, Enzo Cavallini, and Léo Paul Etienne for an extremely fun session in turquoise pointbreak.
Surfers:
Charly Quivront @charlyquivront
Gatien Delahaye @gatien_delahaye971
Charly Martin @martin_charly.pirate4lifes
Enzo Cavallini @enzocavallini971
Léo Paul Etienne @leo_etienne971
Filming & editing: Simon Levalois-Bazer @seamon.lvs
Surf City El Salvador Set to Host the 2024 ISA World Longboard Championship
The WLC Championship returns to El Sunzal April 18 – 25
The 2024 WLC will follow the record-breaking 2023 edition, also hosted by Surf City El Salvador, where 118 surfers from 33 nations were present to challenge for the world championship in pristine conditions at El Sunzal.
The idyllic points of Surf City El Salvador are a dream location for longboarders and the continued support of the Salvadoran government will allow the world’s best to showcase the unique nature of the sport and its viability for inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
The 2023 WLC was dominated by Team France, who won the Team World Championship Trophy. France’s Alice Lemoigne and Antoine Delpero won the gold medals in the women’s and men’s divisions respectively, while Edouard Delpero took home the men’s bronze medal and Zoé Grospiron earned the women’s copper medal.
ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:
“El Sunzal is such an amazing wave for longboard. I am looking forward to seeing the world’s best longboarders return in 2024 after such a wonderful event in 2023.
“We are determined to see longboarding on the programme of the LA 2028 Olympic Games and have no doubt that the performances delivered in 2024 will be worthy of inclusion on sporting’s biggest stage.”
Opening day of the World Surf League (WSL) 2024 Championship Tour (CT) season got underway at Stop No. 1, the Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI, with an exciting day of competition held in solid, six-to-eight foot, offshore tubes at Pipeline. The iconic North Shore break delivered heavy, hollow waves all day to complete the first two rounds of the men’s event, eventually dealing the first eliminations of the season to an unlucky few.
Men’s Opening Round and First Eliminations Start 2024 CT Season
It wasn’t long before excellent scores emerged and the three-time WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA) was the first surfer to break into the excellent range with a foamy left at Pipe and a super deep barrel for an 8.33 (out of a possible 10). With a decent backup, the Brazilian seemed in control, but Callum Robson (AUS) launched himself even deeper on a pristine Pipeline gem on his backhand and rode it on the foam ball for a 9-point ride to regain control of the heat.
“When I got out there, it felt like the energy was shifting towards Pipe, so I tried to establish the inside for the lefts,” Robson said. “I didn’t want to sit and wait for too long, and that first wave made me realize I needed some waves with more draw to them, then I got that 9, which I was stoked on.”
In the following heat, 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) and 2023 Pipe Pro winner Jack Robinson (AUS) went head to head with Backdoor and Pipe waves. Slater posted the highest single score, but Robinson took the heat win with a higher backup to send Rio Waida (INA) into the Elimination Round.
World No.3 Griffin Colapinto (USA) had a slow start in his 2024 debut for the first 25 minutes but turned it all around with a bomb left for an excellent 8.50 (out of a possible 10) in the last moments of his heat. He backed it up on the buzzer and somehow made the heat in first, sending good friend and former Pipe finalist Seth Moniz (HAW) into the Elimination Round. Although not technically a rookie on Tour, Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) made it through this heat with Colapinto and will surf again in the Round of 32. After missing the 2024 season, Boukhiam hopes to make the most of his time as the injury replacement on the Hawaii leg.
Florence Kicks Off 100th CT Appearance in Incredible Fashion
The day’s highest combined heat total was claimed by John John Florence (HAW above) with a 15.20 (out of a possible 20) in Heat 7 against Jake Marshall (USA) and Caio Ibelli (BRA). Marshall and Ibelli had a good fight for second place, but the Pipeline local was once again untouchable in his backyard. Florence’s wave selection was on point and he made every drop and barrel ride look really easy.
“That is a lot of events, a lot of heats, and a lot of surfing,” Florence said. “It got me really excited and gave me a lot of confidence actually, thinking, wow I spent a lot of time surfing heats now. Sometimes, at the beginning of the year you’re nervous and feel almost like a rookie, that everything’s starting again for the first time. But no, I’ve been here for a while, and maybe I don’t think about it as much.”
Rookies and Wildcards Tested on Opening Day of Men’s 2024 CT
Wildcard Jackson Bunch (HAW above) put on a clinic in familiar waters and posted an upset win in the Opening Round of competition. Bunch was sitting dead last in the last few seconds of his heat against World No.2 Ethan Ewing (AUS) and CT Rookie Cole Houshmand (USA) when he dropped behind the peak on a big and fast Pipe left, which he rode to excellence, earning an 8.77 (out of a possible 10) for his effort and the win.
“I’m just here to have fun, and to get to surf Pipe with three guys out is a blast,” Bunch admitted. “I surfed a pretty bad heat, and the waves were not going my way. I knew there were 30 seconds left when Ethan went on his wave, and the next wave I was going no matter what, I just had to give it a try. Coming from Hawaii, surfing in this event is every little surfer’s dream.”
A tough day for the 2024 CT rookie class did not phase Maui’s Eli Hanneman (HAW), who put on a clutch performance to pick up another win for the Hawaiian islands in the Opening Round. Fellow rookie Crosby Colapinto (USA) faced another in-form Hawaiian in Barron Mamiya (HAW) but did enough to advance behind in the second position to avoid the treacherous Elimination Round.
Facing potential elimination after tough starts in their Opening Round heats were 2024 CT rookies Jacob Willcox (AUS), Kade Matson (USA), and Cole Houshmand (USA above). All but Houshmand, who fell to Jordy Smith (RSA) and Liam O’Brien (AUS), turned their fates around with advancing positions in their Elimination Round heats to advance into the Round of 32.
After falling to 2019 World Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA) and Miguel Pupo (BRA) in the Opening Round, Jacob Willcox (AUS) redeemed himself in the Elimination Round with a win over CT sophomore Ian Gentil (HAW) and veteran Caio Ibelli (BRA). Willcox will await his next matchup against perennial CT threat Yago Dora (BRA), while Ibelli is eliminated in equal 33rd place.
Shion Crawford (HAW), event wildcard, earned an excellent 8.00 (out of a possible 10), with a long and wide open Backdoor pit after he suffered a couple of heavy wipeouts that helped settle the nerves in his first-ever CT heat. Troubled to find a decent second score, Crawford settled for second place, but he sent the reigning World Champion Filipe Toledo (BRA) into the Elimination Round.
Current World No. 1 Filipe Toledo Withdraws Due to Illness
Despite struggling with food poisoning, Toledo paddled out for his Opening Round heat. Toledo was then relegated to Elimination Round 2 against Crawford and Samuel Pupo, but was forced to withdraw from the competition due to illness. His opponents in the Elimination Round, Deivid Silva (BRA) and Seth Moniz (HAW), will advance to Round 32 with Toledo’s absence.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
January 22nd, surfers from around O’ahu and pros in town for the Lexus Pipeline Pro awoke to a perfect Big Pipeline. I counted a total of 7 broken boards between 8-11am. Sit back and grab some popcorn for the intro as no one was seriously hurt but lots of people paid their dues, It doesn’t get any better than this. @Oahusurffilms
