The 2018 Boardmasters are upon us, and while the main attraction for tens of thousands of music lovers will be the festival at Watergate, the whole British surf scene will watch as international pros invade Fistral for the World Surf League events.
Where?
The WSL events unfold at Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall. Fistral is widely referred to as the birthplace of British surfing and a highly popular summer destination for surfers from all over the United Kingdom.
The contest site and beach sessions tent at North Fistral. - WSL / Laurent Masurel
A long white-sand beach with cliffs on both sides, and the iconic Headland Hotel, the scene is perfect at North Fistral to host the events as tourists and locals can enjoy all the action from the sand or the green hills right behind. The festival sets up at Fistral as well with a full commercial village featuring local brands and a stage for the sunset music sessions.
Bars and restaurants allow people to spend the entire day at Fistral and the temporary skatepark completes the package for days of entertainment.
What?
The Quiksilver and Roxy Open will feature some of the best up-and-coming talents on the Qualifying Series from August 8-12.
Nearly 100 athletes have already signed up to compete, including a third of Brits as well as internationals from North and South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. With both defending champions Ella Williams and Lliam Mortensen absent at this point, the door is wide open for local stars like Luke Dillon or Lucy Campbell to try to bring the Boardmasters titles home.
Luke Dillon in action at Fistral. - WSL / Laurent Masurel
In the UGG Men's Longboard Pro the pressure will be much, much higher as the final Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event of 2018 in Europe will crown the region's champion once again. Local legend Ben Skinner, currently third, still has a shot at the prestigious title he won back in 2009 and 2011.
The UGG Women's Longboard Pro will not deliver that title as Justine Dupont already claimed it last month in Biarritz, but the European Champion and former CT athlete has entered Boardmasters and will put on a show in both the longboard and shortboard categories.
When?
Tune in from August 8-12, 2018 and check out all the photos, videos and updates right here! For more information about the festival, visit boardmasters.com.
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Everything that is Boardmasters in one shot.
- WSL / Laurent Masurel
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Locals know how to deal with that devil North wind.
- WSL / Laurent Masurel
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Alice Lemoigne, camped on the nose, on her way to another European Champion trophy at Fistral.
- WSL / Laurent Masurel
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Antoine Delpero, ten toes out and putting on a show.
- WSL / Laurent Masurel
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Arne Bergwinkl cuts apart a defenseless Fistral left.
- WSL / Laurent Masurel
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Ben Skinner is always everyone's favorite at Boardmasters.
- WSL / Laurent Masurel
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Former Championship Tour athletes
Claire Bevilacqua is a past winner in Newquay.
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Daiki Tanaka and the iconic Headland Hotel in the background.
- WSL / Laurent Masurel
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Ella Williams is the defending champion at the Roxy Open but could be absent this year.
- WSL / Laurent Masurel
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The reigning World Longboard Champion
Honolua Blomfield came to discover Boardmasters and won the women's Longboard event in the process.
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Ian Fontaine felt right at home last year in neighbor waters.
- WSL / Laurent Masurel
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Bude surfer
Jobe Harriss put on a rail surfing clinic.
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But in the end, it was
Lliam Mortensen's aerial prowess that won it all.
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Local star
Luke Dillon will try to better a 9th, his best result on home soil.
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Nadia Erostarbe eyes the next section on a proper fun wave.
- WSL / Laurent Masurel
Boardmasters Shifts QS Focus to Cornwall
Nicolas Leroy
The 2018 Boardmasters are upon us, and while the main attraction for tens of thousands of music lovers will be the festival at Watergate, the whole British surf scene will watch as international pros invade Fistral for the World Surf League events.
Where?
The WSL events unfold at Fistral beach in Newquay, Cornwall. Fistral is widely referred to as the birthplace of British surfing and a highly popular summer destination for surfers from all over the United Kingdom.
A long white-sand beach with cliffs on both sides, and the iconic Headland Hotel, the scene is perfect at North Fistral to host the events as tourists and locals can enjoy all the action from the sand or the green hills right behind. The festival sets up at Fistral as well with a full commercial village featuring local brands and a stage for the sunset music sessions.
Bars and restaurants allow people to spend the entire day at Fistral and the temporary skatepark completes the package for days of entertainment.
What?
The Quiksilver and Roxy Open will feature some of the best up-and-coming talents on the Qualifying Series from August 8-12.
Nearly 100 athletes have already signed up to compete, including a third of Brits as well as internationals from North and South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. With both defending champions Ella Williams and Lliam Mortensen absent at this point, the door is wide open for local stars like Luke Dillon or Lucy Campbell to try to bring the Boardmasters titles home.
In the UGG Men's Longboard Pro the pressure will be much, much higher as the final Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event of 2018 in Europe will crown the region's champion once again. Local legend Ben Skinner, currently third, still has a shot at the prestigious title he won back in 2009 and 2011.
The UGG Women's Longboard Pro will not deliver that title as Justine Dupont already claimed it last month in Biarritz, but the European Champion and former CT athlete has entered Boardmasters and will put on a show in both the longboard and shortboard categories.
When?
Tune in from August 8-12, 2018 and check out all the photos, videos and updates right here! For more information about the festival, visit boardmasters.com.
Ben Skinner
Dryrobe ambassadors, longboard title-contender and shaper of Skindog Surfboards Ben Skinner, and his son, QS campaigner, up-and-coming
Ben Skinner has been a consistent performer as he goes excellent once again to lock in the semifinal bouts. Skinner bested Kai Ellice-Flint
Skinner posts another best performance so far on Day 3 of the Huntington Longboard Classic of 15.93 to step into the Quarterfinals
The 2023 World Title contender Ben Skinner showed he's up to the task of keeping his season intact with an incredible showing to accrue an
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Quiksilver Open
Check out a selection of the best shots from last year's Boardmasters.
Boardmasters wraps up on Sunday with four new winners and a European title.
The British surf and music festival culminates with the Finals to crown four event Champions at North Fistral.
The Quiksilver and Roxy Open continue on day 3 of Boardmasters and the UGG Men and Women Longboard Pro Start.
All events run on third consecutive action day at North Fistral.