8th May 2007
UK first: polo comes to the beach at The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay.
A Cornish beach will experience a clash of cultures on 20th June when the world of polo comes to one of the country’s best-known surfing beaches.
In a UK first, Watergate Bay near Newquay will see sun-bleached surfers rubbing shoulders with exotic Argentinians as the Extreme Academy hosts the first ever arena-style polo match to be played on a UK beach.
As one of the premier surfing and kitesurfing venues in Britain, Watergate Bay is used to hosting top level professional competitions. But on Wednesday 20th June as the tide recedes revealing acres of golden sand, pounding waves will give way to thundering hooves for an evening of chukkas and champagne.
With the cliffs, beach and restaurants of Watergate Bay providing a range of fantastic vantage points, Polo on the Beach is set to be an incredible experience for spectators, and one that organisers Clifton Polo Club hope will introduce the sport to a new audience.
“What makes this event unique is that we’re bringing polo to people, rather than people to polo - it’s all about making this fantastic sport accessible to people who might never have seen it before,” said Paul Youngs, Director of Polo for event organisers Clifton Polo Club.
“To my knowledge there has never been an arena-style polo match played on a UK beach before. Watergate Bay is the perfect venue, and hopefully the game will capture the imagination of many people who may otherwise never see a polo match.
“The whole polo scene can sometimes seem a bit intimidating - what we hope to achieve with Polo on the Beach at Watergate Bay is to keep the glamour, but dispel some of the myths around the sport and show people that polo is a really exciting sport to watch.”
Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach will see two teams and more than 20 polo ponies compete in an hour-long exhibition match for the inaugural Watergate Bay Trophy.
Niccolo Ragazzoni, Brand Manager for Veuve Clicquot commented: “Elegance, passion and audacity are three values that personify Veuve Clicquot and have led the famous Champagne house to its distinctive character across 235 years of incredible history. These same three values that are perfectly expressed in the first Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach, where the thrill and excitement of this historical game will be framed by the marvellous
surroundings of Watergate Bay.”
Arena style polo is a relatively new version of one of the world’s oldest sports. Played over an area the size of a football pitch, arena polo is every bit as fast-paced and exciting as the full version of the game, with the advantage that spectators are much closer to the action.
Two teams of three mounted riders will play four chukkas, each comprising 7 1/2 minutes of play. With stoppages, each chukka typically lasts around 15 minutes, with breaks for players to change ponies after each chukka.
A mounted umpire controls the play in the arena, while experienced commentator Nick Harrison-Sleap from Taunton Vale Polo Club will be drawing on his 40 plus years of involvement with the sport to keep spectators abreast of the finer points of the action on the beach.
“I like to describe polo as a mixture of chess, rugby and hockey on horseback,” explains Paul Youngs. “At first look the action may seem chaotic, but there is a definite structure to the way we play and what the players’ roles consist of. The game is fast-moving and can get physical like rugby, while similarity to hockey comes from the stick, ball and goals.
“All the rules are designed to ensure the safety of pony, and wherever possible to prevent them from getting injured - the players are dispensable.”
Both teams will be made up of players from Taunton Vale Polo Club, the second oldest club in the country. Team sponsors for the match are Grange Aston Martin Exeter and Knight Frank Exeter, who are looking forward to being involved in this unique event.
Mark Stevens, General Manager of Grange Aston Martin Exeter commented: “At Grange Aston Martin we continually strive to find innovative and exciting ways to make the pleasure of purchasing, owning and running an Aston Martin more rewarding for our customers. Grange Aston Martin is delighted to sponsor Polo on the Beach. We wish all players, club members and spectators a successful, memorable and enjoyable day.”
Miles Kevin, Residential Partner at Knight Frank Exeter commented: “Cornwall has always been a popular holiday destination, with areas such as Newquay and Watergate Bay best known for their amazing surf. Polo is a great sport and this event promises to be a huge success. It shows how this area is increasingly attracting a new type of holidaymaker; those who are looking for the quintessentially English holiday but who want to stay in high quality, luxury accommodation.
“Watergate Bay and Newquay have been largely redeveloped with many new, cutting-edge apartment developments. This area is destined for great things; surfing is the fastest growing sport in the country and with extensive redevelopments, the second home and investment market continues to expand.”
The event is completely free for spectators. The polo starts at 7.00 pm, and spectators will be able to take advantage of a champagne bar and seafood barbecue on the beach from 5.00 pm. A limited number of hospitality packages will also be available.
ENDS
Notes For Editors
The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay is one of Britain’s leading venues for beach sports. Founded in 1999, the Extreme Academy comprises specialist schools for surfing, kitesurfing, waveski and mountainboarding; technical equipment hire; and the Extreme Store, stocking a wide range of clothing and technical equipment. The Beach Hut, located on the ground floor of The Extreme Academy, is well known as Cornwall’s coolest beach hangout, and a great place to eat.
The Hotel, Watergate Bay After an extensive programme of refurbishment and a merger with the Extreme Academy, The Hotel, Watergate Bay offers an unique contemporary beach lifestyle on the north coast of Cornwall. Still family owned and run, The Hotel features a fresh modern look, AA Rosette dining and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Facilities include 70 bedrooms, two restaurants, two pools and a tennis court. www.watergatebay.co.uk
White Stuff, the fashion lifestyle clothing label, was founded in 1985. They currently have 35 White Stuff shops and over 100 wholesale outlets throughout the UK as well as a website and mail order business. The brand is definitely fashion for lovers not victims – and this is reflected in the relaxed styling, lovely detailing and discreet branding on their quality clothing. White Stuff customers are 25-40 ‘something’s’ who know the fashion trends but have their own sense of style. White Stuff are sponsors of the Extreme Academy, and supply staff uniforms for The Hotel and Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay, and Fifteen Cornwall.
Media Contact - PR on behalf of The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay
For more information and images contact: Jim Michell at Barefoot Media.
Telephone: +44 (0)1208 895089 Email: jim@barefootmedia.co.uk |
