Organizers of the Boardmasters festival, held annually in Newquay, Cornwall, have announced significant enhancements to security for the upcoming 2025 event. The festival, known for its vibrant atmosphere and thrilling line-ups, is set to take place from August 6 to 10, and aims to provide attendees with an even safer experience.
Posting on Facebook, Boardmasters revealed plans to increase security personnel by 20% for crowd and behavior management. This addition aims to bolster the safety and enjoyment of festival-goers, especially following some triaged incidents from the previous year's festival.
The changes come as Boardmasters organizers responded to feedback from attendees and reviewed safety protocols after the 2024 festival where seven individuals were hospitalized due to injuries related to crowd surges. The incident raised concerns about festival safety and prompted those behind the scenes to reevaluate their procedures.
“We are committed to providing our attendees with nothing less than the best experience, and safety is our top priority,” the Boardmasters organizers stated. They emphasized the importance of crowd control and management, especially as the festival continues to grow.
Along with increasing personnel, organizers will add 25 more entry lanes for ticket checks. This aims to facilitate thorough searches of attendees’ belongings without extending wait times, which can often detract from the festival experience. With these improvements, attendees can expect swifter entry and enhanced safety.
To supplement security personnel, Boardmasters will be deploying additional watchtowers around the event grounds. The number of elevated watchtower locations will double, featuring 24-hour coverage to monitor the festival crowds actively. Coupled with this, high-visibility patrols will see a 50% increase, ensuring security is not only present but also visible throughout the duration of the festival.
Attendees will also reap benefits from more extensive services beyond just security. For the forthcoming festival, the number of long-distance bus routes will rise significantly from 85 to 119. A fleet of 50 coaches will provide park and ride services for those coming from various locations, streamlining the transportation process and placing convenience at the forefront.
The organizers are also revamping the camping facilities by introducing "Camping+" options, alongside boutique camping amenities with expanded tent choices. For those seeking quieter experiences at the festival, the introduction of a "chilled zone" will impose a noise curfew at 11 PM BST, catering to attendees wanting to relax after long festival days.
The new security measures come at a time when event safety is under the microscope, with large crowds requiring orchestration for not only enjoyment but also safety compliance. Festivals have often been reflections of larger societal currents, and the fact the organisers are taking steps to address potential chaos shows mindfulness and adaptability.
Festival-goers can look forward to the impending release of the artist line-up for 2025. While this remains under wraps, excitement is building as the festival gets closer, highlighted by the much-anticipated updates on additional safety measures and improvements enhanced over the last few months.
Boardmasters pledges to share more updates about these changes as the event approaches, promising to keep fans informed and engaged. With greater security and improved services on the horizon, attendees can expect their experience at Newquay to be both thrilling and well-managed.
Such enhancements echo the growing trend within the festival circuit to prioritize safety without sacrificing enjoyment. Festivals like Boardmasters aim to strike the balance between creating memorable experiences and maintaining environments where everyone feels secure. The planned changes for 2025 are not just about showing off; they reflect genuine concerns for the well-being of attendees—a commitment to ensuring the music plays, and the good times keep rolling without the shadow of insecurity looming overhead.
The concert and festival culture is forever changing. Organizers and event planners are recognizing the importance of adapting swiftly to reality, with safety becoming ever more important. Boardmasters' 2025 initiative to bolster security has set the stage for its future—not only for its thriving atmosphere but also for the protection of its most precious asset: its visitors.
