Boardmasters 2025: From Fistral to Watergate
We can’t wait for you to join SurfGirl at Boardmasters. With the festival kicking off next week, the excitement is building. From world-class surf to inspiring talks, epic skate sessions, and a massive lineup of artists at the festival, there’s a packed schedule across both locations.
There’s so much to experience across both Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay during Boardmasters, and the SurfGirl team are here with our favourites to help you make the most of it! Here are some of the highlights to look out for, and a few things we’re especially excited about:
1. Surfing at Fistral Beach
For the tenth year running, the WSL Boardmasters Open returns to Fistral, showcasing the very best of UK and international surfing talent. Watch top pro surfers compete in the shortboard and longboard divisions, alongside the rising stars in the Junior Open. It’s the biggest surf competition in the UK and you won’t want to miss it.
2. Rising Tides Festival
A hub for eco-conscious surf culture, the Rising Tides Festival will spotlight UK-made sustainable surfboards, innovative shaping techniques, and repurposed accessories and swimwear. It’s a great chance to discover alternative materials and products, and meet the makers redefining surf industry norms.
3. The Skate Ramp Returns
Back by popular demand, the Skate Ramp at The Headland is set to be a highlight once again. Catch some of the UK’s best skaters, and a few international guests – as they bring high energy and style to Fistral.
4. New: The Boardmasters Talk Stage
Hosted in a new stretch tent on The Headland and programmed by the Rising Tides team, the Talk Stage is a fresh addition to the festival. Expect engaging talks, film screenings, and hands-on workshops focused on sustainability, surf culture, and ocean positivity. Don’t miss the SurfGirl Panel Discussion on Sunday morning!
5. Music at Watergate Bay
With a varied lineup from Rizzle Kicks, Wet Leg, London Grammar, Jam & Meme, and the legendary Prodigy hitting the stage, the three-day music at Watergate Bay is not something you want to miss. Download the Boardmasters App to stay in the loop with set times, artist info, and build your own schedule so you won’t miss a beat.
6. Live Art at Fistral
The designer of this year’s Boardmasters poster and merchandise artwork is by Ray & Sol Design. You can catch Ray doing a live painting session and creating a mural at Fistral Beach on Wedsnday 6th August. Go and check it out.
What are the SurfGirl Team most excited about?
Louise Searle, SurfGirl Editor
It’s always good to see the top surfers competing at our local beach. I’m really looking forward to watching Lauren Sandland, Emily Currie, and Alys Barton in action to name a few of the Brit surfers. Tee will be down at Fistral again this year, catching up with everyone, so if you can’t make it to the beach, you can you can get an idea of what’s going on, on our socials.
The Rising Tides Festival is a brilliant addition to Boardmasters, and I’ll definitely be dropping in for a few of the talks in the tent, such a great new feature.
The music lineup is looking amazing too. Prodigy are my fave live band, so seeing them perform in our home town is going to be so epic. And after the headliners wraps, I’ll head over to Surf Club 81 – I had such a great night there last year!
Holly Purchase, Brand & Content Editor
I’m most looking forward to the vibe down on Fistral Beach and the skate ramp’s back -woo! The surf comp is always good energy and it’s great to see local surfers competing on home-turf, we’re all praying for waves. I really enjoy getting involved in the whole vibe down on the beach, shopping by the sand and a cold bev at Boardmasters Beach Bar! Also a great place to catch the sunset…
Heading up to the main festival site, I’ll be exploring Zennor Haven, getting involved in some yoga at the Zen Den and listening to the live bands at the Salt of the Earth Stage. Later into the evening it’s all about the DJ’s at the Unleashed Tent [front left].. Sub Focus, Badger & Dubtendo Allstars.
The beach brings back all the Boardmasters nostalgia for me as I’ve been involved in some capacity since my teens so it’s always a happy time of year for me. This year we’ll be hosting a panel discussion around The Rise in Female Surf Spaces on Sunday morning at the Boardmasters Talks Stage run by The Rising Tides Festival.
There is so much going on down at Fistral Beach this year, with a lot of new and amazing additions! I am looking forward to watching and bringing you all the epic surfing action on Fistral Beach for SurfGirl. As well as enjoying watching some of my favourite artists perform at one of the most beautiful festival locations in Cornwall! It doesn’t get any better!
Scar Lee, SurfGirl Travel Editor
I can’t wait for another year of Boardmasters, there is an unbelievable amount of things to do. During the days, you’ll find me down at Fistral Beach. I’ll be on the SurfGirl stand in the surf village on Friday, so come and say hello!
I will be spending a lot of time down at the beach with my drone to capture footage from the legends who will be surfing in the competition. I will also be co-hosting a talk about Surfing Community on the Boardmasters Talks Stage on Sunday morning. It would be amazing to see as many people there as possible.
My music must-sees are Kaiser Chiefs, Leigh-Anne, Nelly Furtado, Natasha Bedingfield, Caity Baser, and local band Fletchr Fletchr. I am also looking for people who would like to join me for Swiftegeddon on Sunday night, so any takers, let me know!
Lucia House, Retail Manager
Boardmasters is the highlight of my summer every year. I am very grateful to have such an amazing event right on my doorstep.
During the day, I will be hanging out at the surf village at Fistral on our stand, there’s always such a buzz down there, loads of great independent sellers, good food, and pints at the Beach Bar. The deck has the best view for the surf comps!
Then in the evening it’s on to the main festival up at Watergate, the lineup this year is bringing back a lot of nostalgia for me, some much-loved bands from my childhood and teen years are playing, so I can’t wait for that. There’s also some great artists playing the Mordros stage, and the View, Ocean Alley and Wet Leg are on my list. The party’s not over when the live music finishes though. Unleashed and Surf Club 81 keep the good vibes and boogying going into the night. See you there!
Rosie Marns, Designer
I can’t wait to be joining SurfGirl at Boardmasters. Here’s what I’m most excited for:
The skate ramp being back at Fistral is epic, it’s always such a good vibe there when that’s on.
Sunset at the beach bar and watching the surfing there is a good vibe too.
Music-wise, there are a lot of good indie bands that I’m looking forward to this year: Franz Ferdinand, The Wombats, Kaiser Chiefs, and not forgetting Wet Leg!
Carly Crosby, Social Media Creator
At festivals I get so inspired by everyone’s outfits and style so love to hit the stands down at Fistral and up at the main festival site to snatch up some festival-inspired clothing or an accessory. With the sun out and music in the background, it’s just such a different vibe to shopping on the normal highstreet.
My favourite part of Boardmasters in when the sun is going down over Watergate Bay and you’re at the stages overlooking the ocean, dancing to music and watching the stunning sunset. It’s such an amazing vibe. I can’t wait to see London Grammar, Wet Leg, Maribou State and The Blessed Madonna at this year’s festival. I’ve got my girl crew this year, so bring on the good times!
