11th June 2007
Polo and surf worlds collide in Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach at Watergate Bay - 20 June 2007.
Cornwall will host an unique sporting event next week as the first arena-style polo match to be played on a UK beach comes to The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay.
Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach will see two teams of players and ponies ride out on the sand as the beach famous for thumping waves and bronzed surfers hosts an evening of chukkas and champagne on Wednesday 20th June.
The match is the result of the vision and enthusiasm of Clifton Polo Club’s Paul Youngs, whose aim is to introduce the sport to a completely new audience.
“Watergate Bay is well known as one of the country’s best venues for kitesurfing and surfing, but Cornwall is not really synonymous with polo,” said Paul Youngs.
“What we’re doing with Veuve Clicquot Polo on the Beach is bringing polo to people rather than people to polo, and this event is set to be an incredible introduction to the sport. The cliffs and beach of Watergate Bay will provide a range of fantastic vantage points for spectators, and at low tide there is a huge expanse of sandy beach - perfect for such a fast-paced and exciting sport.”
The teams, sponsored by Knight Frank Exeter and Grange Aston Martin Exeter, will play for the inaugural Watergate Bay Trophy in what is anticipated will become an annual event.
Each team is made up of three players, and a mounted umpire will control the play on the field, which is roughly the size of a football pitch. Nick Harisson-Sleap from Taunton Vale Polo Club will provide commentary throughout the hour-long match.
“With over 20 ponies on the beach, and all that that entails, we’re confident there has never been anything like this at Watergate Bay before,” said Will Ashworth, Managing Director for The Hotel & Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay.
“As with all of the events we run at The Extreme Academy, entry to the beach is completely free, and there will be plenty of different places to watch the match. Arena polo is really exciting to watch, and because the area of the field is relatively small spectators can get much closer to the action than usual.”
Diners at the Jamie Oliver-inspired restaurant Fifteen Cornwall will have one of the best views as the restaurant’s full height windows look directly over the beach, while the corporate hospitality guests will be catered for on the cliff top terraces of the Hotel directly above the beach.
On the beach, the drinks marquee sponsored by St Austell Brewery will be selling Veuve Clicquot champagne (by the glass, half bottle, and bottle) and Tribute ale. There will also be a seafood marquee selling paella, chilled shellfish and strawberries with clotted cream.
Following the trophy presentation, the post polo party begins at 8.30pm in the Ocean room at the Hotel. Live music will be provided by the band Small Wonders and a barbecue buffet on the pool terrace will be washed down by champagne cocktails. Tickets are £25.00 per person.
The Hotel & Extreme Academy have put together a corporate hospitality package, starting at 5.30pm with a champagne reception and live jazz by Carrie Mann on the hotel deck, followed by canapes and champagne on the lower terraces while the match is in progress. The package also includes the post polo party. The package costs £75.00 per person.
For advance ticket bookings and enquiries please contact the events department by email: events@watergatebay.co.uk or call 01637 861239.
ENDS
Advance Notice: Press Call
Tuesday 19th June, 1.00pm, Watergate Bay.
Event organiser Paul Youngs from Clifton Polo Club, plus competitors and ponies, will be available
on the beach for interviews, filming and photography on Tuesday 19th June from 1.00pm.
Additional Information
• Polo begins at 7.00 pm.
• Arena style polo is played between two teams of three players.
• Entry to the beach is free.
• The seafood and drinks marquees will be open from 5.00pm.
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 |
