PACKET reporter Ryan Morwood has been on the ground at Boardmasters 2023 and his report on the second day of the festival has now arrived from his location deep in the heart of Newquay.
THE second day of Boardmasters 2023 was headlined by former Oasis frontman, Liam Gallagher, although there was plenty happening before he took to the main stage.
Whereas on Friday we had focussed on the musical side of things, Saturday, we decided, would be the day we ventured down to see some surfing.
Friday started with the opening rounds of the Reef Longboard Pro and ran all the way through the quarterfinals before moving into the Animal Pro QS competition once again. Four-time winner at Boardmasters, Alice Lemoigne dominated the opening day of competition and proved she will once again be hard to beat in the Cornish waters, posting big numbers in her two heats.
The biggest surprise came from Canary Island youngster Ginger Caimi who, at only 11 years old, beat some of the event’s favourites to claim a spot into the semi-finals. Britain’s Beth Leighfield, Izzy Henshall, and Emily Currie also made it through to the semis.
In the Men’s Reef Longboard Pro, local hero Ben Skinner, Adam Griffiths and Arthur Randell all posted convincing performances in the Quarters. Reigning European Title winner Nicolas Andrade and previous 4-time event victor Edouard Delpero were fighting to get back on top of the podium as well. The QS1,000 Animal Pro also continued with the men’s Round of 32 and the women’s Round of 16 as the swell continued to build throughout a sunny afternoon in Newquay.
On Saturday, The QS1,000 Animal Pro resumed in big, chunky surf to decide the event’s Semifinalists for a Sunday finish at the Boardmasters OPEN. In the women’s field, British rising talent Alys Barton will face Camilla Kemp in the next round. The two-time defending winner Yolanda Hopkins kept her hopes for a three-peat alive advancing into the Semis as well where she’ll square off with Rachel Presti.
The men’s Animal Pro will have a younger field fighting for the win on Sunday with Hans Odriozola taking on Ido Arkin in the opening Semifinal. Newquay local Luke Dillon put on a fantastic display in the Quarters and will continue to represent his local town up against Kai Odriozola in the second Semifinal. Sunday will also see the completion of the Reef Longboard Pro in which six more British surfers will try to go all the way on home turf.
With big waves on offer on Sunday still, local legend Ben Skinner will be the crowd favourite to take it all out at Fistral.
Having eventually journeyed back to our base of operations, we decided a quick pitstop for a bite to eat and a few drinks was in order before we headed back into the arena.
After a slightly wobbly walk to the site, and a few more drinks, it was time for Saturday’s main event.
Both my partner and I are both huge Oasis fans and as soon as Liam Gallagher’s set started, we knew we were in for a treat. Setting the bar high with the anthemic ‘Morning Glory,’ Liam’s trademark swagger and irreverent humour were all present, at one point dedicating one of his own tracks to a noodle bar opposite the main stage. Whilst his own music was certainly worthy of the reception it got, it was clear that the huge crowd had come for the classics, and Liam delivered the goods in a way that only he could.
Blasting through hits such as ‘Slide Away’, ‘Stand by me’, 'Cigarettes and Alcohol', 'Champagne Supernova,' and the legendary ‘Wonderwall,’ the set was an Oasis fan’s dream and the crowd showed their appreciation after every song. Eventually, the set came to and end and Liam closed out with another Oasis classic, ‘Live Forever.’
As the main stage entertainment ended, my accomplice and I began to scope the other stages in search of something to keep our buzz going.
We found it at a DJ set by none other than Mike Skinner of The Streets, performing at the Land of Saints stage.
The beats were eclectic and exactly what we’d been looking for to continue our party, that is, until I seemingly sprained my ankle attempting to pull off dance moves unsuitable for someone of my age.
It was on this note that we decided we were being irresponsible and should stop showing up the youngsters and retire to bed, which we did. Although not without a few momentary and ill-advised stops at some of the other stages along the way.
Hopefully my ankle will be well enough to carry on so that I can keep bringing you these updates, dear reader. However, if not, let me just say that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed by time at Boardmasters 2023 so far, and that any remix of ‘Do you really like it’ is worth risking your health and dignity for.
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