Rip Curl Boardmasters 2005 approaches with major additions

The Rip Curl Boardmasters 2005 returns to the Newquay's World famous Fistral Beach for Europe 's largest free lifestyle festival. The Rip Curl Boardmasters, over 20 years old, is the highlight of the UK surfing calendar and with all the extra activities planned for this year is not to be missed!

The Rip Curl Boardmasters will take place from 1 st -7 th August meaning a whole s ev en days of fun including surfing, skating, BMX, Freestyle motocross (FMX), public mini ramp, bikini comps, beach bar, barbies, trade village, rock concert and dj's making the Rip Curl Boardmasters a 24/7 party. Last year saw 130,000 people come down to Fistral to check out the action and with the additions to this years ev ent that figure is set to soar.

The main focus of the Rip Curl Boardmasters is the surfing and this year is proving to be the best ev er. The big news is that the mens surfing ev ent has been upgraded from a 4 to a 5 star ev ent meaning increased prize money to $100,000 and more importantly increased ratings points making the ev ent a lot more valuable to the travelling surfers. Expect a few World Championship Tour (WCT) surfers making the trip to the UK as well as last years winner, Renato Galvao from Brazil , returning to defend his title. On the ladies side the 5 Star Nokia Pro will return for it's third year bringing with it the best ladies in the surfing World. Last year saw WCT ladies, Hawaiian Megan Abubo, South African Heather Clarke and last years winner Aussie Chelsea Georgeson. With the $20,000 prize purse the ladies will be back for sure!

Back to the Festival village and the action stays hot. The Vans Vert on the Beach Comp attracts Europe 's best vert skaters as well as a select few from further a field. Skate rs like Renton Millar and Tr ev or Ward from Australia and Christiano Matteus from Brazil will go head to head with Euros such as Juergen Horrwarth from Germany , last years winner Terence Bougdour from France and the UK crew including Pete King , Andy Scott and, of course, Dangerous Dave Allen, for the increased prize purse of $20,000!!! This year also sees street skating with a proposed comp at Newquay's wooden waves with $4000 for the winners. Next up are the BMX demos, the FMX demos with the Bolddog Lings Freestyle Team and action on the Eastpak mini ramp.

If the action sports aren't your thing then you can go and relax at the Foster's Beach Bar and Barbie, where DJ's will be playing tunes to suit the mood as it changes throughout the day. Grab a couple of pints and a burger at the Foster's Barbie, maybe check out the action on the Nokia Big Screens and generally take in the vibe. What better place to have a drink, in Newquay, than on the beach. The Foster's Beach Bar will then pave the way to the legendary Rip Curl Boardmasters parties that take place each night at the Foster's Official club nights in Newquay. See you there!

For further information and images please contact: James Rodd +44 (0) 208 789 6655/ james@sportsvision.co.uk / www.ripcurlboardmasters.com