Yolanda Hopkins WSL
FISTRAL BEACH, Cornwall – England – The QS1,000 Animal Pro launched on Wednesday at Fistral North and ran through the men’s Round of 64 as well as the women’s Round of 32 in clean, two-to-three foot surf to get the Boardmasters Open surfing events action underway.
The opening rounds saw a mix of seasoned competitors, rising stars and local athletes take on the fun little peaks of North Fistral and put on a good show for the growing crowds on a beautiful first day of competition in Cornwall.
Uri Uziel (ISR) was the standout in the men’s first round, extremely active in the lineup and surfing the long but somewhat weak rights and lefts with unmatched flair. The young junior from Herzliya posted the day’s highest combined heat total of 13.60 (out of a possible 20) to make his way into the Round of 32.
A strong showing from local surfers was also noticeable as 15 surfers from the U.K managed to advance out of the men’s opening round as well.
In the women’s Round of 32, the winner of the last two editions of this event, Yolanda Hopkins (POR) kicked off her campaign in great fashion with a near-excellent 7.17 (out of a possible 10) and a good backup. The Portuguese has a chance to add another line in the event’s history books as no surfer has ever won three consecutive editions at Fistral.
Another five British surfers kept their Boardmasters campaign alive in the women’s Round of 32 and will have a shot at cracking the Quarterfinals when the event resumes.
The QS1,000 Animal Pro and LQS1,000 Boardmasters Longboard Pro are here to launch regional surfers’ efforts to qualify for the superior tier of competition. In the shortboard division, this is the Challenger Series (CS), an international tour taking surfers across the world for a chance to reach the ultimate dream, the Championship Tour (CT). Longboarders fight directly on the European LQS to join the world’s best surfers on the Longboard Tour.
Ellie Turner WSL
It’s the first time European surfers will compete on home turf since the previous season wrapped in April, and anticipation runs high among tour stars, young up-and-comers and the local brits eager to join the party and battle with the continent’s best.
A lot hangs in the balance as surfers vye to start their campaign with a bang at Fistral. The summer leg features multiple back-to-back events across England, France, Spain and Portugal and it’s important to kick it off the right way and carry momentum into the bigger events of the late summer.
Alice Barton WSL
Boardmasters, a True Surf & Music Festival Experience
If our focus remains on the lineup when the horn sounds, there will be plenty of entertainment on land as well during Boardmasters week at Fistral. The Surf Village makes its welcome return hosting a wide range of local and international brands, charities and traders including Carve and SurfGirl, WWF, Greenpeace, TUCCA Swim and many more. There will even be a photo booth to capture those unforgettable summer memories.
Music is also a big part of the vibe at Fistral, especially at the Beach Bar that offers unparalleled sea vista views across The Atlantic Ocean. Join festival-goers from day into night as they enjoy a drink with friends in the sunshine, watch the pro surf competitions and soak up breathtaking sunsets with top DJ’s soundtracking the Boardmasters experience.
Boardmasters Open surfing events are scheduled from August 9-13, 2023 at Fistral Beach, Cornwall – England.
Boardmasters Open surfing events including the QS 1,000 Animal Mens and Womens Pro, the LQS 1,000 Boardmasters Longboard Pro and the Boardmasters Junior Open are supported by Rubicon RAW Energy, FULFIL and Animal as well as media partners Carve and SurfGirl.
