The Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach, at Watergate Bay, near Newquay is getting under way.
The champagne deck and barbecue and bar opened at midday, while the action is expected to start at 2.30pm with a kitesurfer vs polo challenge along a shoreline course.
Dreya Bennett – champion Gladiator and Veuve Clicquot world record breaking kitesurfer – will take on Andy Burgess of South West Polo and team Joules' captain in a 200m race along the beach and through the waves.
They will then dismount and race each other on foot up the beach to the finish on the polo pitch.
First to the bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne buried in the sand will be the winner.
Mr Burgess will be riding ex race horse, Shrivar, who has now been retrained to play polo and while he can reach speeds of 40mph on a race course, kite surfers can reach speeds of up to 60mph.
However, a kite is much more dependent on the wind speed, wind direction and waves.
Marketing manager at the Watergate Bay Hotel, Heidi Fitzpatrick said the beach was starting to get busy.
She said: "It is very sunny and getting very busy.
"The first event is at 2.30pm and we have food an drink on the beach and a bit of music."
It is the first time that Polo on the Beach is being held over a weekend and aims to expand on the success of 2012 which saw 4,000 spectators attend the exhibition polo match.
Now in its seventh year, the new weekend format allows for more polo matches and equestrian displays.
At 3.30pm this afternoon, spectators will be given an introduction to polo with a guide to the rules from commentators and a demonstration on how to play before the first polo match of the weekend with Cornwall versus the Rest of the World.
Tomorrow, the First Great Western and Joules teams will return putting on a thrilling display of beach polo in a bid to win the Watergate Bay Trophy. Crowds can also enjoy demonstrations from the Devil's Horsemen display team and an introduction to polo before the big exhibition match at 5.30pm.
