Boardmasters has announced an expansion of its programming at Fistral Beach, including the return of skateboarding as part of this year’s festival. The iconic location is steeped in heritage as the place where Boardmasters began in 1981 – and is set to host an even more action-packed series of events, offering an elevated experience for attendees and even more reasons to visit this vibrant hub of surf culture.
While Watergate Bay remains the home of live music and camping, Fistral Beach has long been the beating heart of Boardmasters, hosting the prestigious Boardmasters OPEN surf competition each year. This globally renowned event draws the biggest names in international surfing, proudly showcasing world-class talent on UK waters. Last year, local star Lukas Skinner made waves and headlines with a double podium finish – a testament to the competition’s calibre across all ages and abilities. In 2025, Fistral Beach is set to raise the bar once again with an exciting lineup of new and elevated features.
Following huge demand, Boardmasters is excited to bring the much-loved skate ramp back to The Headland. This event is not just an adrenaline-fueled spectacle, it’s a celebration of the festival’s rich cultural heritage and the core values that have defined Boardmasters for generations. The return of this iconic ramp marks a tribute to the spirit of board sports that has long been the heart of the community. Attendees will witness electrifying showcases and masterful demonstrations from top talents in skateboarding, a nod to Fistral’s rich legacy of board and bike sports.
Set to become a year-round favourite, the new-look Boardmasters Beach Bar (previously Fistral Beach Bar) will remain open throughout and beyond the festival. A new and permanent home for Boardmasters in Cornwall, the bar will be upgraded with refreshed interiors and a renewed commitment to delivering the best in beachside vibes, it promises to be the go-to spot for post-surf drinks, boasting unmatched views to watch the pro surf action. The takeover will open more avenues for Boardmasters to further support and collaborate with the community on a year round basis. And open for the duration of the festival, the Fistral Village is expanding, offering an even wider selection of food and retail concessions to tempt festival goers and beach visitors alike.
Andrew Topham, Boardmasters Founder and CEO said, “It goes without saying, we are incredibly excited to announce the latest developments at Fistral Beach. This is the place where the festival was born, and where many early memories and epic moments from the Boardmasters surf competitions were made. I know I speak on behalf of the entire team when I say this site is very close to our hearts, and the collective passion of our team is what has brought this latest vision to life. Even more action packed sports during the festival, opportunities for meaningful partnerships which benefit the entire surf ecosystem, and of course the newly named Boardmasters Beach Bar, which we’ll have more to tell you about very soon.”
Drew Creek, Newquay Mayor said, “The investment Boardmasters are making at Fistral with the reinvigoration and renovations to the beloved Beach Bar are highly welcome. Their plans for the site during and after the season will significantly contribute to the local economy and enhance the cultural aspect of Newquay. As Mayor of Newquay, who is also a long-time avid fan of Boardmasters Surf Festival, I am thrilled to witness the Fistral site returning to its roots with more local vendors, the restoration of the raised grassy area, and the reintroduction of a skate ramp this year. Newquay, the self-proclaimed board-riding capital of the UK, will be celebrating all aspects of this celebrated event this summer, making it a monumental moment for our town in 2025.”
The crown jewel of Boardmasters’ Fistral Beach programming returns with the legendary Boardmasters OPEN surf competition. Festival goers can head to Fistral to watch some of the biggest, most progressive names in international pro surfing crowned as the next Boardmasters champions, across five exhilarating days. 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.
Boardmasters can also reveal that it will welcome Rising Tide to Fistral Beach this summer, the latest partnership which supports the festival’s commitment to sustainability and both the local and UK surf community. Rising Tide, a grassroots gathering led by Danny Jenks and Matt Rogers of Echo Surf Supply, along with Kieran Hill from Waterhaul, has been showcasing sustainable wave riding crafts , apparel, accessories and conservation organisations at The Headland during previous Boardmasters. This year, they will become an integral part of the festival, featuring a dedicated area with local board shapers and surf brands. Additionally, Rising Tide will program a series of talks and workshops in a new stretch tent on The Headland, focusing on surfing and sustainability with an overarching ocean positive message.
Rising Tide said, “Through this new partnership, we’re really hyped that Boardmasters is recognising the importance of the themes around Rising Tide and the positive impact it had on the local community in 2024. Together with Boardmasters, we’re demonstrating a commitment to further enhancing the offer at Fistral beach during the Boardmasters festival and support the festival’s dedication to giving a louder voice to ocean positive messages and organisations.”
