Boardmasters has today announced its world famous international surf competition will this year be included as part of the World Surf League qualifying series. Featuring as a QS1000 event, Boardmasters will host the Boardmasters Men’s Open, the Boardmasters Women’s Open and the Boardmasters Men’s and Women’s Longboard contests. This cements Boardmasters as the most high-profile event in the UK’s surf calendar.
Boardmasterswill feature as stop #29 on the WSL international qualifying series tour, giving surfing professionals the opportunity to come to Cornwall to be in with the chance of gaining valuable points in their quest to reach the elite platform of professional surfing, the Championship Tour (CT).
Fistral Beach, the UK’s premier surfing destination, will again host Boardmasters, with professional surfers travelling from around the globe we will get to see who will become this years Boardmasterschampion. The highly anticipated Boardmasters QS1000 will then run from Wednesday 10th until Sunday 14th August 2016 and the action will kick off with the Boardmasters Men’s Open. Boardmasters will offer Britain’s best professional surfers, such as Ben Skinner, Luke Dillon, Jobe Harris and Lucy Campbell the chance to compete at an international level whilst in home waters.
Boardmasters promises to deliver five days of exhilarating surf action at one of Cornwall’s must stunning beach settings. Fans and festival goers alike are expected to descend on the UK’s surf capital to check out and support both the British pro surfers and the travelling international surfing professionals. We cannot wait to see who will lift the coveted Boardmasters title this year and their portion of the $30,500 prize purse.
Andrew Topham, Boardmasters Festival Director said, “We are so stoked to see the return of World Surf League (WSL) sanctioning across all disciplines of our event (Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Men’s Longboard and Women’s Longboard). This really drives the level of surfing within the UK and will inspire the next generation of British surfers towards competing at the highest level. Since 1981, Boardmasters has always been the pinnacle of British surfing and this once again takes us to another level. We are really excited to see another huge crowd on the beach cheering some of the best surfing that will be witnessed on Cornish shores this year.”
Rob Gunning WSL Europe Tour Manager commented, “WSL is very pleased to be returning once again to the Boardmasters and it is great to see our involvement grow with the addition of a men’s and women’s Qualifying Series event. As we expand across Europe the Boardmasters is for us a key event as it is one of our longest running and most high profile events. The on-site activities, crowds plus the music festival make the Boardmasters very special. It will be great for not only International and visiting European surfers but also for the local Brits who will get a chance to compete on the international stage. The women’s QS event will be a first for the Boardmasters and it is fantastic to see women’s professional surfing included in the schedule.”
Hugo Tagholm, Chief Executive at Surfers Against Sewage said, “Surfers Against Sewage is proud to have been Boardmasters nominated charity for over a decade. We look forward to continuing to work together to promote the protection of waves, oceans and beaches well into the future. We’re stoked to see the WSL sanctioning of the Boardmasters surf competition this year. It’s a fantastic reflection of the amazing contest and to new heights that UK surfing is reaching. The UK has world-class surfers and waves, and we’re stoked to be at the forefront of protecting the surf environments they rely on!”
Boardmasters International Surf Competition 2015 Champions:
Men’s Open Hodei Collazo (ESP)
Women’s Open Peony Knight (GBR)
Men’s Longboard Edouard Delpero (FRA)
Women’s Longboard Alice Lemoigne (REU)
Whipper Snappers Stanley Norman (GBR)
Entry registration for the WSL Open and Longboard events is via the WSL website
Click this link for information on the Boardmasters International Surf Competition
It doesn’t stop there, as the festival continues at Watergate Bay for a weekend of the biggest and best names in live music performing from Friday 12 – Sunday 14 August 2016. Confirmed headline acts so far include Chase & Status,James Bay and Deadmau5, with other performances across the weekend from Catfish and the Bottlemen,Craig David, Primal Scream, Kano,Lianne La Havas, Kaiser Chiefs, Sigma, Wolf Alice, Example, Eats Everything and more, with further acts still to be announced.
Boardmasters 2016 will take place along the glorious Cornish coastline from Wednesday 10 August to Sunday 14August. Tickets are available NOW from the website.
Boardmasters gets set to make waves today as the third headline act for this year’s festival is announced. Drum n Bass duo Chase & Status will be making a hotly anticipated return to the golden Cornish coastline for Boardmasters 2016 as they get set to entertain festivalgoers with their thumping, thrilling sound. Cornwall’s own surf and music festival runs from Wednesday 10 – Sunday 14 August 2016 for five days of exhilarating surf and music action along the sun-drenched coast. What are you waiting for? Grab your flip-flops and surfboard – tickets are on sale NOW via the website.
Chase & Status have firmly cemented themselves as the ultimate Drum n Bass duo, having dominated the dance scene for over a decade with their unique sound, which never fails to get crowds jumping. Having released three studio albums, their most iconic dance hits include ‘Blind Faith, ‘Lost and Found’ and ‘Count on Me’. The duo have just released a brand new single ‘Control’, featuring Slaves, who join the list of the huge musical names that Chase & Status have worked with, including Plan B, Example and Rihanna. They’re no strangers to Boardmasters, having headlined back in 2014. Back by popular demand, Chase & Status are sure rock Watergate Bay this summer with a fist pumping, banging display of the very best in Drum n Bass.
Boardmasters has also today announced further acts joining the line up, including 2016 BRIT Award winning rockers, the awesome Catfish and The Bottlemen who scooped with coveted British Breakthrough Act gong at this year’s ceremony. The four-piece, who released their new single ‘Soundcheck’ last month are currently on tour, taking the UK by storm with their retro-rock sound and are expected to drop a brand new album later this year.
Images courtesy Boardmasters; Alex Rawson & Amy Sampson
Boardmasters is stoked to announce even more acts for this year’s festival. The hottest UK rising star right now, Raleigh Ritchie who recently released his debut album ‘You’re a Man Now, Boy’ will be making his Boardmasters debut. The incredible Foxes will be bringing her electro-pop sound, with Krept & Konan representing the best in fresh UK hip-hop. UK rapper Mike Skinner presents TONGA, formerly front man of The Streets is lined up for Boardmasters 2016 alongside funk legends Soul II Soul best known for the chart-topper ‘Back To Life’, and dubstep pioneer Artwork. Bringing the best in UK grime is Kano, who has just released new album ‘Made in the Manor’. Get set for dance floor royalty, as Radio One Dance Anthems DJ Danny Howard also joins the line up, with Protoje who’s leading the reggae revival and Manchester punk rockers Spring King. Indie-rockers Eliza and The Bear, who have firmly established themselves with a reputation for an unforgettable live show will take to the stage, as will White who’s sure to bring an electro-funk vibe, the incredible Irish talent SOAK and one to watch, singer-songwriter Louis Berry. Further acts added to the line up include Formation, Big Deal, Toucan, Carly Foxx, Camelphat, Apres, Ben Remember, Kloe and Hein Cooper.
Boardmasters is located across two sites jam-packed with the best in music and sports action. Keep the party going with Beach Sessions with live music on stunning Fistral Beach, as well as the Beach Bar and BBQ offering food, drink and DJ sets. Head into Newquay and party into the early hours with Boardmasters After Parties, which take place at clubs around the town centre. There are Pro Skate and BMX competitions to check out the best in extreme sports, the Surf Village, Cornish Market where you can sample delights from local merchants, as well as Surf Art, photography and film sessions. If watching the surf action from the sidelines has tempted you to try it out yourself, you can ride the waves with a Surf Lesson with a local surf school. Unwind and relax at the Wellbeing Area or the On Site Eco Spa for some well deserved pamper time. There is also Luxury Camping and Glamping on offer to upgrade your experience even more.
Established in 1981, Boardmasters is a 5-day event situated across two stunning locations in Cornwall – the surfing mecca of the UK, Fistral Beach where Boardmasters famous International Surf Competitions take place and arguably the most stunning location in the country to watch live music, Watergate Bay. Last year saw Boardmasters welcome over 150,000 festivalgoers across its two sites over the 5 days of the festival. Boardmasters operates a tiered ticket system with price bands for tickets changing over time. The sooner you buy, the cheaper it is! Book tickets via the website.
BOARDMASTERS 2016
Headline Acts
Deadmau5 // James Bay // Chase & Status
Joined by Catfish and the Bottlemen // Kaiser Chiefs // Primal Scream Lianne La Havas // Sigma // Craig David’s TS5 // // Wilkinson // Wolf Alice Example & DJ Wire // Foxes // Soul II Soul // Mystery Jets Kano // Krept & Konan // The Magic Numbers // Eats Everything // Protoje Jackmaster // Roots Manuva // Rat Boy // Blossoms Mike Skinner & Murkage presents TONGA // Raleigh Ritchie // SOAK Apres // Artwork // Ben Remember // Bicep // Big Deal // Bodhi // Camelphat Carly Foxx // COASTS // The Correspondents // Danny Howard // Detroit Swindle Doorly // Dusky // Eli & Fur // Eliza & The Bear // Eton Messy // Formation Gabrielle Aplin // Heidi // Hein Cooper // Jack Savoretti // Jamie Lawson Jonas Rathsman // Kloe // Louis Berry // Maribou State // MNEK The Mouse Outfit Nahko and Medicine for the People // Rationale Spring King // Toucan // VANT // White
Ticket Information: Watergate Bay tickets on sale NOW Boardmasters operates a tiered ticket system with price bands for tickets changing over time. The sooner you buy, the cheaper it is! A set allocation of tickets is saved for each tier, which will close when the allocation of tickets is sold out. Charger tickets available now (Charger ticket includes bus pass, parking, VIP camping, Beach Session gigs, After Parties, Boardmasters t-shirt and tote bag)
Sunset Sons have been on our playlist since we interviewed them in Carve last spring and even more so since we did a surf trip with the boys last autumn. So we were stoked when Boardmasters caught up with and they performed this awesome live session of their track ‘Remember’. Check it out and see them at Boardmasters next month.
Boardmasters2015 and World Surf League (WSL) have confirmed its initial competitor line up for the Boardmasters International Surf Competition including WSL Longboard ProMen’s and Women’s LQS1,000 event taking place at one of the UK’s most stunning locations, Fistral Beach, Cornwall from Wednesday 5 – Sunday 9 August.
Known for being a truly international competition, Boardmasters will not disappoint its surf fans this year as the worlds first-class athletes are confirmed to compete. For the five days of Boardmasters, Fistral Beach will be transformed into a surfing mecca as record numbers of fans, family and friends come to watch all the sporting action unfold.
This year’s categories include the newly added WSL LQS1000 Men’s Longboard and WSL Women’s Longboardpresented by Surfgirl, the Men’s Openpresented by Carve, Rocket DogWomen’s Open, Pro Junior (Boy’s U18) and new comp Pro Junior (Girl’s U18) as well as the much-loved Whippersnappers U12 (mixed) event.
For the past few years, local Longboarding legend Ben Skinner has dominated the top spot in the men’s competition and as Boardmasters with the WSL prepare to host this year’s event, Skinner has confirmed he will be returning to defend his title. However, he’ll have stiff competition from Devon local Jack Unworth and French riders Eduard Delpero, Charles Dorange and Heiko Bertschinger.
This year, Boardmasters will also shine a light for the first time in its history on women’s longboarding with WSL hosting a ladies competition, presented by Surfgirl alongside the men’s. Cornwall’s own Ashleigh Bennetts, Emily Currie and Katrina Beddoe are all confirmed to show off their agility, strength and poise in the water in what is looking set to be an exciting new category.
Boardmasters is thrilled to welcome back current champion, Jock Barnes for the Men’s Open presented by Carve. Home favourites and visiting international stars will battle it out for the coveted Boardmasters title including the UK’s most successful surfer, Russell Winter who has just taken the #1 spot in the Night Surf. Twice UK Pro Surf Tour Champion Alan Stokes and Gold Coast ripper Noah Lane are also confirmed to compete.Jock Barnes will also be drying off and heading to the Boardmasters music site, Watergate Bay to give a special Main Stage performance!
Looking at the Rocket Dog Women’s Open category, the UK’s top female pro’s are set to give fans a thrilling battle out on the waves as Boardmasters confirms entries from current UK Pro Surf Tour Champion Lucy Campbell and top rider Hannah Harding.
Boardmasters also prides itself in providing a platform for young and rising surf stars, giving the best of the young talent a platform to compete in a renowned setting.The under 18 categories, which include the Boy’sPro Junior (Boy’s U18), new comp GirlsPro Junior (Girl’s U18) and the much-loved Whippersnappers U12 (mixed) event, will welcome rippers from all across the UK. Confirmed to defend his Boy’s pro Junior title is hot talent Angus Scotney. The Norman brothers, Stanley and Bertie Norman will also be battling it out in the Whipersnappers event. Bertie I’m sure hoping this time to beat his brother who holds the 2014 title.
Contest Director, Dave Reed, said: “This year’s Boardmasters is again growing in strength. The highlight will undoubtedly be bringing back two International WSL (formally ASP) events; the Men’s and Women’s Longboard divisions. This will give the opportunity for the best British Longboarders to compete on the International stage in the UK. The future’s bright for British surfing!”
Andrew Topham, Festival Director, said: “Every year we are blown away by the number of entries from both British and International surfers wanting to compete in Boardmasters. The surf competition has been the heart of the festival for over two decades and we’re thrilled to be able to welcome back two international World Surf League events (previously ASP) to the categories. Year on year the surf community continues to produce outstanding talent. Really looking forward to watching Ben Skinner defend his title from the likes of the Delpero brothers on the beach!”
Boardmasters Fistral Beach site is open, no ticket necessary so festivalgoers and locals are free to come down and take in all the sporting action in their own time.Don’t miss out on this chance to catch world-class surfers, BMXers and skateboarders battle it out up close and personal!
For more information on the surf competitions visit the website