Surfing festival hits the beach

The event attracts over 100,000 people to the resort

The Rip Curl Boardmasters surf contest starts in Newquay on Monday.

The event held at the town's Fistral Beach is now ranked as one of the country's most prestigious festivals.

It brings more than 100,000 people to the resort to enjoy the competitions on the water and attractions such as skateboarding contests.

The surfing highlight of the week is the Men's 4 Star World Qualifying Series event, won last year by Australian Bede Durbidge.

The main event in the increasingly popular women's surfing competitions is the Second Annual Nokia Women's Pro.