21st August 2007
Zapcat Racing hits the waves of Watergate Bay for two weekends of high-octane action this autumn.
Supercharged surf powerboats will be tearing through the waves at a Cornish beach this autumn as The Extreme Academy host the world’s largest one-design powerboat championship.
Teams from all over the country will come to Watergate Bay to compete in two spectacular weekends of racing as the final rounds of the Zapcat National Championships are concluded.
Rounds 11 and 12 will take place on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd September. Then, the deciding points in the series will be awarded in the all-important rounds 13 and 14 on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th October.
“Watergate Bay has established itself as the spiritual home of Zapcat surf racing,” said Event Director Ali Ward. “As a venue Watergate Bay is quite unique; spectators have every possible vantage point to take in the high-flying antics of Zapcat surf racing, while for the competitors the conditions are by far the most challenging of any of the venues we race at.
“The competitors really look forward to racing here, it’s the one the crews really want to win - so this year we have given them more of what they want and doubled the number of rounds at Watergate Bay.”
Reflecting the venue’s surfing pedigree, the four race days at Watergate Bay will also form a stand-alone “King of the Surf Tournament”, which is set to attract specialist crews who race exclusively in surf conditions.
With all of the other events on the Zapcat National Championships racing on flat water, the crews will require a unique set of skills to race in the surf. The circular course takes the boats just metres from the shoreline, so timing, judgement and a degree of luck are all required to safely navigate the inflatable catamarans through the crashing waves.
“Autumn is well known as one of the best times of the year for great surfing conditions, which makes for some really spectacular racing,” said Will Ashworth, Managing Director of The Hotel & Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay. “With weather forecasters predicting a particularly active Atlantic hurricane season this year, I’m sure Watergate Bay will deliver plenty of swell for the Zapcats again this autumn.
The south west will be strongly represented with at least six teams from Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset taking part in the event, including several crews made up of Royal Marine Commandos based at Plymouth.
The Zapcat National Championships also has an increasing appeal nationally; teams from as far afield as Aberdeenshire and Kent will travel to Cornwall to compete.
The safety of participants, spectators and the public is of the highest importance at Watergate Bay. Racing will be confined to the southern end of the beach and a 50 metre buffer zone between the race area and the general public will be strictly enforced.
The patrolled swimming area will also be closed during practice and racing hours (11 am to 5pm) and surfers will still be able to enjoy the peaks towards the north end of the beach.
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 |
