Europe’s biggest surf, skate and music festival has returned for a 27th year to Newquay. From the 4-10th August, 2008, the Boardmasters will be enjoying its biggest event to date with an epic week of world class action sports and music.

The official launch party last night opened the festivities in style with celebrations that included the grand opening of Rip Curl’s new flagship store in Newquay, and the European premiere of Rip Curl’s new surf movie ‘Somewhere’, which marked the start of this years festival.

The surfing sprang into action today with the finals of the UK and Ireland Grom Search. The Rip Curl Grom search showcases the ultimate up-and-coming surfing talent with both the male and female winners bagging a place in the European finals in Hossegor, France, on the 17th of August. The Isle of Wight’s Zoe Sheath surfed her way into the final to win the girl’s title, while Newquay native grom Seb Smart dominated the boy’s final heat and sealed his place in the European final in France.

The Rip Curl Men’s 5 Star WQS returns tomorrow for England’s most high profile surf event, and there will be more demos on the Eastpak mini ramp, with the Vans Vert comp kicking off tomorrow.

Rip Curl will also be bringing their Girls Go Surfing project down to Fistral beach throughout the week, where you will have the opportunity to try surfing with lessons from pro instructors.

For the spectators, the Rip Curl Boardmasters Unleashed festival will kick off on August 8th and 9th with an impressive line-up of bands, plus you can browse the trade village, sample some Cornish grub, chill out in the surf movie lounge, browse the surf-inspired art fair, get some tips at board shaping demos from local shapers and enjoy a well-earned pint in the Foster’s Beach Bar.