Boardmasters 2012 Festival - Are You Ready?

Just under two weeks until the biggest surfing, skating and music event in the whole of Europe comes to Newquay. For those of you who know the festival or have been to Boardmasters sister festivals such as NASS or Freeze, you are sure to know the layout of the weekend and generally what to expect from the mash up of sports and music. For those who don't, but like what you've heard from various sources this article is just for you. For of you who like sport will know that watching sport first hand is a whole different kettle of fish. Relentless endorsed festivals may be substantially small compared to the festival giants such as Glastonbury or Download however they never seem to disappoint year after year. There is one thing, which they have got right over other festivals, and that is options. Their ability to showcase world-class athletes for these sports is undeniable and the courses and structures they create just for these events are just astonishing, but the choice in which you have from dusk till dawn is more than amazing. From a wide variety of sports happening simultaneously, to shopping, to live music and even the opportunity to ride these courses if you play your cards right. However for this you will need to check the terms and conditions of what is available to use during the weekend when the heats and competitions are not running and also those which happen throughout the year where you could win big if you got what it takes. This year€™s grand prize stands at 14k. We are told this years Boardmasters will play host to 8 stages where headliners include Ed Sheeran and Dizzee Rascal along with other big names such as DJ Fresh, Ting Tings, Zane Lowe and Set Your Goals. The amount of stages and big names are a huge step up from previous years as it would be fair to say the majority of big acts are in their prime which will no doubt rub off on the atmosphere you will get at the main stage. Like always you can expect a packed out stage with Ed Sheeran since his fast climb up the chart ladder only one year ago, so I recommend getting there very early. His previous festival appearances created a buzz like no other and his previous tours had been sold out completely. Due to his worldwide tour during this summer, opportunities to see him play are very limited. Apart from Lowlands and V festival, Boardmasters is the only other festival that will see him perform, so this is one of your few chances to see him unless you can contain your excitement until later this year. The Saturday headliner Dizzee Rascal, has certainly been round for a while now ever since his debut album Boy In Da Corner in 2003 but it is fair to say it is only recently that his lyrical gold has popularized himself worldwide. Collaborations with DJ Fresh and Calvin Harris have made his name even bigger however if you are not the biggest fan there will still be a song or two that no doubt you will enjoy from being surrounded by atmosphere and by being pummeled with that big sound system. A big bonus and one of the main reasons I really enjoy Relentless festivals is how intimate the stages are which are located around the festival park. You will get the opportunity to see some bands like you would at no other festival due to they way the band timings and park layout are created. As there is so much going on with sporting events and music, only being a small festival, events going on during the day will play host to you instead of the other way around creating a very unique experience. Finally if you get the opportunity to attend the beach sessions which takes place on the Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, do it. Just imagine the feeling of enjoying a day of big acts while soaking up the sun (hopefully) with friends, family or just a nice pint. This years beach sessions artists include Reel Big Fish, Xavier Rudd and The Black Seeds to name a few and their choice of artists couldn't be better. Although these events I do believe are separate from the normal weekend camping ticket, at only £17 with booking fee its not exactly going to break the bank. The weather is looking good, the bands are looking hot and the location is far more alternative than the muddy pit of death, which have been evident at most festivals so far. Lets hope Boardmasters 2012 will be on top form and just as good as previous years. Website: http://www.boardmasters.co.uk/index.php Twitter: https://twitter.com/boardmasters81