TENS of thousands of people are descending on Newquay and Watergate Bay to attend the Boardmasters surf and music festival, which will bring a bonanza for many businesses.

Great Western Railway is putting on an extra 14 long distance trains providing 10,000 seats for this year’s event, which will be taking place between August 7 and 11.

Fistral Beach will be hosting the WSL Boardmasters Open where the best UK and international surfers will be going head-to-head.

These include Ben Skinner who has just been ranked third on the WSL World Longboard Tour, world number one grom Lukas Skinner who recently won silver in Europe as well as some of the best female talent including Alys Barton and Emily Currie.

The music festival site, which has a maximum capacity of 58,000, will see headliners Chase & Status, Sam Fender and Stormzy taking to the stage.

Seven new acts have been added to the line-up including Mercury Prize nominee Nick Mulvey who is set for the stage as Sunday’s special guest.

R’n’B superstar Mahalia has joined the line-up along with DJ Jack Saunders as well as indie pop sensation Liz Lawrence, DJ Jaguar Skills and Baxter.

The Boardmasters festival site has had a refresh, with five carefully curated areas to explore, each filled with an array of unique music stages that combine to 11 in total.

The main arena is where fans can find the main stage, where this year’s headliners will perform along with a whole host of other artists.

There will be a new addition for 2024 in the main arena called The Bandstand where local talent and emerging artists take to the stage. 

For high octane DJs sets playing into the early hours, The Dockyard is the place to be. Festival goers can find DB90, the home of drum’n’bass, as well as another new venue for 2024, the Lifeguard Tower which will play host to DJ sets as well as graffiti battles from Graffiators taking place across the weekend and transforming the area into a vibrant canvas.

The View stage will be the place to go to check out new and upcoming artists. Fans can also check out Surf Club ’81, which will offer unapologetically cheesy singalongs by night.   

The Land of Saints and its big top will feature live music that has an independent spirit. Paradise Lost is the new home of The Point, which will see the most hyped cutting-edge Djs take to the decks.

The Silent Disco will be held over five nights for the first time, including a special set from Busted’s Charlie Simpson.

Boardmasters after parties will be held at Sailors and Berties.

The surf competition at Fistral marks the official launch of the European leg of the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series. Professional surf talent will make a welcome return to compete in the BYD Pro, men and women, Wild West Jerky Longboard Pro men and women’s and the Boardmasters Junior Open, boys and girls, set to pit the next generation of groms against one another. 

A spokesperson for Boardmasters said: “Sustainability is a core part of the Boardmasters ethos and leave only footprints is the festival’s continued pledge to reduce its overall environmental impact.

“Festivalgoers can help, too. Beach cleans will be taking place each day run by the Marine Conversation Society and supported by local community groups across four beaches including Fistral, Great Western, Porth and Watergate Bay.

“Boardmasters’ Green Team volunteers will be out en masse with more members than ever. They will be running the redeemable litter bond as well as campsite clean-up parties winning spot prizes for visitors in Boilers.

“Once again, this year, Boardmasters has banned single use plastics from the site; the reusable cup scheme will be in place and attendees are encouraged to make use of the 288 free water refill points located in the arena and campsites. Upon heading home, Boardmasters is calling on all attendees to follow the leave only footprints message by simply clearing up properly and taking all tents home. 

“As part of Boardmasters’ ongoing commitment to the environment and sustainability, Big Green Coach is back once again as Official Travel Partner as the festival further expands its green travel options.

“With Big Green Coach, attendees can choose from over 80 pickup points around the UK, with the service increased by a quarter, ensuring convenient access to the festival site.

“Day ticket holders can book a Day + Coach Package with pickups from 14 locations across the South West, including Bodmin, Cornwall Services, Exeter, Falmouth, Helston, Launceston, Liskeard, Okehampton, Penzance, Plymouth, Roche, St Austell, Treverbyn, and Truro. Coaches will arrive by 11am and depart after the headliners finish.

“This year sees the introduction of the new Boardmasters Park and Ride service for day ticket holders, offering a hassle-free and budget-friendly travel option.

“Attendees can park their cars and be conveniently dropped off right at the festival gates. Buses to and from the Park and Ride will run from early morning until after the music finishes, operating on a simple tap and ride system.

“For those arriving into Newquay train station, or wishing to travel between Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay, Boardmasters’ shuttle bus service will be in operation for £3.50 per single journey. This is the quickest way to reach Fistral beach due to having access to closed roads.”