Boardmasters OPEN will stage one of Europe’s premier World Surf League Qualifying Series competitions this summer.
After its annual Fistral Beach event was upgraded from QS 2,000 to QS 4,000 status for 2026.
In partnership with YETI, the upgraded QS 4,000 status reinforces a shared commitment to supporting elite performance, progression, and the future of surfing and positions the event among the top three Qualifying Series competitions in Europe. A critical platform for surfers targeting the Challenger Series and the elite Championship Tour, the enhanced ranking will attract a significantly stronger international field, creating an unprecedented opportunity for British surfers to compete for world ranking points on home soil.
For those less familiar with how the WSL structures its events: the Qualifying Series runs on a points-value tier system, and doubling from 2,000 to 4,000 is a substantial jump. More points on offer means a stronger international field makes the trip, which raises the standard of every heat and makes a deep run count toward the season in a way it simply couldn’t at the previous rating.
Boardmasters spokesperson says: “Surfing is where Boardmasters started and it has always, and will always be part of our DNA. It’s super exciting to see the competitions upgraded to a QS 4,000’s making it one of the top events in Europe and a critical opportunity for British surfers to score significant points on the qualifying series tour, helping them realise their ultimate goal of competing on the champions tour and building towards the Olympics in LA.”
The upgrade delivers on a long-term ambition to position Fistral Beach, Newquay, already one of Europe’s most recognised surf breaks, as a destination for elite international competition. The QS 4,000 rating increases the ranking points available to competing surfers, raising the stakes for the international field and strengthening the event’s standing within the WSL’s global competition calendar.
Fistral has earned this kind of recognition before. Kelly Slater stood on that beach in 1986 for the World Amateur Championships, and through the late eighties and nineties the ASP Championship Tour came to Newquay regularly, bringing the world’s best surfers to Cornwall. That era faded, the CT moved on, and for a long time the competitive weight of the event didn’t match the reputation of the wave. The 4,000 upgrade starts to close that gap.
WSL Europe Tour Manager, Rob Gunning shares, “The WSL and our athletes are very excited to see the Boardmasters OPEN upgrade to a QS 4,000 this year plus we will be once again crowning our European Longboard Title winners over the five days of competition at the iconic Fistral beach. The added QS ranking points and importance on our European Qualifying Series will be impactful with a stronger field of athletes making the trip to Newquay to battle it out for this year’s trophy. The Boardmasters events team have put in a huge effort along with event sponsors and partners to make this upgrade a reality in 2026 and we are looking forward to some splendid competition during the entire event window.”
The event will also deepen its ties to the domestic pipeline. Through the Boardmasters Foundation, the festival continues its partnership with Surfing England and will support the Surfing England Junior Surf Series which is the primary national competition structure for young surfers in the UK. The standalone Boardmasters Junior Surf Competition will not take place in 2026. In its place, Boardmasters is directing its support toward longer-term, wider-reaching initiatives which includes national junior development pathways, increased elite competition opportunities and education and progression support for top-level junior talent, delivered in partnership with GB Surfing and the Surfing England Junior Surf Series.
Wildcard entries for the QS 4,000 have been awarded to surfers from Surfing England’s Pro Junior competition held at Watergate Bay on 26th May, including winners Lukas Skinner and Georgie May-Hicks, and runners-up Willow Smith and Fynn Gillespie, creating a direct competitive link between grassroots development and elite international surfing. In addition, Boardmasters OPEN will introduce a number of selective wildcard entries into the QS 4,000 field, providing emerging British talent with the opportunity to compete directly against an elite international draw on home soil. The wildcards form part of a longer-term commitment to building a credible competitive pathway for UK surfers, with the 2028 LA Olympics providing a clear horizon for athlete development and national ambition.
Two-time defending champion Lukas Skinner is going for three.
“I’m super looking forward to Boardmasters this year, being upgraded to a QS 4,000 is massive! I feel super confident and strong so I’m going to try my absolute best to go 3 in a row, but the main thing is enjoying it. It’s my favourite week of the year and I have family and friends around with the beach full and the best crowd I’ve ever surfed in front of. Let’s go!”
He expanded on what the points jump means day to day.
“Boardies is such a special event for me having won it two times already but also just being at home with all my friends and family and that support makes me feel like this is my strongest event on the QS. For it to now be recognised as a big event and be blown up to a 4,000 just allows so much more points. If you get a good result here it sets you up really well. As the defending champ I actually think it takes the pressure off me in a way. I am obviously aiming to win again but honestly I just love the event, the crowd and everything about it.”
Meanwhile, Alys Barton, first ever British surfer to qualify for the WSL Challenger Series says, “Boardmasters is one of my favourite comps on the calendar. I love the atmosphere and the energy of the event, and it is always great to compete in front of a home crowd. The upgrade of the event to a QS 4,000 means we British surfers will have the opportunity to compete against the best in Europe and hopefully score big season points on a wave we know well.”
Barton arrives at Fistral straight from the US Open, making for a packed run of competition.
“It’s right after the US Open so it’s gonna be a jam-packed couple of weeks of competition. I can’t wait to get back to competing after these past two months off. Upgrading Boardmasters to a 4,000 is gonna be amazing, we’re gonna have way more competitors and I think it’s gonna be such an awesome competition. I cannot wait to showcase my surfing and I would love to win the event. That’s my goal for this year at Boardmasters.”
Willow Smith, runner-up at the Pro Junior and one of four Cornish surfers heading into the field on a wildcard, knows this event and this beach as well as anyone.
“It’s my favourite event of the year at my local. I always surf and train there and I’m so happy to have received a wildcard. The upgrade feels to me like Boardmasters is getting the recognition that it deserves.”
Fynn Gillespie also earned his spot at Watergate Bay.
“The Pro Junior comp had great waves and good weather so the day was pretty special and to make it to final and come second and win a wildcard to Boardmasters made it even more so. I love Boardmasters and competing at my home break is always sick. Making the event 4,000 shows how good the event has become and I can’t wait for it to come around.”
Alongside the competition, GB Surfing will deliver a series of masterclasses and workshops for selected surfers from its national Development Squad. The programme will offer coaching, athlete development and an insight into the realities of pursuing surfing at an international level. Participants will have access to the competition site, placing them alongside some of the world’s leading surfers and creating direct opportunities for observation, learning and informal engagement with the professional game. The initiative is designed to grow year on year as a high-value addition to the event’s wider development offering.
Vicky Gosling, Chair of GB Surfing, said: “The upgrade of Boardmasters to a QS 4,000 event is a significant milestone for British surfing. It gives our athletes the opportunity to compete against Europe’s best and earn valuable ranking points on home waves, while reflecting the continued growth and progress of the sport in the UK. Our LA 2028 Olympic hopefuls will be competing, and we are seeing them develop with real confidence and consistency as they progress along the Olympic pathway. We believe they have the talent and potential to achieve outstanding results on the Olympic stage in the years ahead, while inspiring the next generation of British surfers to pursue their own Olympic ambitions.”
Longboard divisions will continue as LQS 1,000 competitions in 2026. The Boardmasters OPEN 2026 competition schedule and athlete will be announced in due course.
The event will take place at Fistral Beach, Newquay, from 5-9 August 2026.
