Boardmasters – Cornwall’s Premier Event

Newquay, often described as the surf capital of the UK, is the throbbing epicentre of the British surf industry. It’s no surprise, therefore, that there are lots of surf shops, board manufacturers and surf-hire shops in town. The heart of this celebrated surfing status is Fistral Beach, one of the best beach breaks in the country. On a good day, Fistral can produce big, hollow waves and holds a good-sized swell, so it’s been Britain’s most popular venue for national and international surfing competitions alike for more than 30 years.

The Boardmasters event, in particular, has become a massive music and lifestyle festival that overshadows the surfing competition itself. The tournament is of course held at Fistral, with the festival taking place over on the headland at Watergate Bay.

Incidentally, Newquay also has an offshore reef-break called the Cribbar. With waves occasionally pumping in at up to 30 feet (9m), the Cribbar has often made the news, with big-wave surfers towed in by jet-skis, but it works very rarely and is absolutely not for amateurs to consider. Great Western, Towan and Tolcarne beaches are near the town, and along with Crantock, Watergate Bay and Lustyglaze, they provide suitable conditions for most every kind of surfer.

As Cornwall’s biggest board (both surf and skate) or music festival by far, Boardmasters brings festival-goers from all over the UK and Europe to witness five days of surf competition at Fistral Beach, but the draw even of this is overshadowed by a massive line-up of live music on the headland at Watergate. There are skate, BMX and glamour shows and an epic soundtrack of everything from folk to rock to hip-hop and garage. But there are a bunch of attractions that make this event so much more than some music in a muddy field that happens to be near the beach. It’s better than that.

A regular feature of the Boardmasters week is the Beach BBQ – many would say that no beach is complete without one, and some would append that no barbecue is complete without drinks. Luckily, the organisers have brought all these appealing components together – sun, sea, sand and sizzling hot food with refreshing beverages at your fingertips. The Beach Sessions are a highlight of the week, too, for those who are quick enough to get advance tickets for these intimate performances.

At the VIP Bar (ticketed) you can rub shoulders with the celebs who are performing at the event, and the Boardmasters restaurant serves the perfect hangover breakfasts and sunset suppers. There is also an Eco Spa with wood-fired hot tubs, bean bags and everything you need to relax, chill out and clear your head.

If you need a clubbing fix after the headline acts are done, then the official After Parties are for you – from Thursday to Sunday at three different venues across Newquay. There’s a return bus service running until 4:30 am so you have no excuse not to party all night and then bathe in the dawn light as the sun rises.

Giving something back with the Big Fistral Beach Clean is an instant karma injection. We all know that too much plastic is ending up on our beaches and in our oceans, and parties and festivals are some o the worst culprits, so do the right thing and lend a hand!

For all the info on Boardmasters this year, go to boardmasters.com

If you’re ready to party on in Kernow at any time, there are lots of cottages available to rent with Cornish Traditional Cottages at all times of the year.

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