17th February 2009
Cornwall's Extreme Academy celebrates first decade with six months of beach events.
2009 Calendar: seven beach events announced for Watergate Bay.
A leading Cornish beach venue is anticipating an exciting tenth anniversary year with the announcement of their 2009 events calendar.
Watergate Bay’s Extreme Academy will host some of the country’s leading watersports exponents in a series of events attracting top-level surfers and surf lifesavers.
The beach will also see two forms of surf boat racing - Zapcat powerboats and traditional surf rowing boats - and for those who prefer the sand to the sea, the UK’s original beach polo match returns to cap a thrilling anniversary year.
“It’s hard to believe the Extreme Academy is 10 years old this year,” said Will Ashworth, Managing Director of The Hotel & Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay. “We’ve held some incredible events here at Watergate Bay since 1999, including the first world professional kitesurf competition in the UK, as well as the country’s first beach polo match in 2007.
“Everyone is really excited to be hosting this year’s events: the waves of Watergate Bay will decide English national surfing champions; we’re holding a round of the UK Pro Surf Tour; and the Surf Relief Festival will have an even bigger programme than last year.”
Seven events are confirmed for 2009, starting with the the English National Surfing Championships at the traditional time over the May Bank Holiday (2nd & 3rd May). Now in it’s 37th year, the event is one of the biggest draws on the domestic surfing calendar, last year attracting over 300 entrants to decide national champions in 23 divisions.
In June, supercharged surf powerboats return to Watergate Bay for the first of two weekends racing in the Zapcat King of the Surf race series. The 13th and 14th June rounds will see the crews vie for supremacy in the waves, before they return in the season-deciding final races on 25th and 26th September.
Britain’s best longboard surfers will be showing the style and poise of their graceful art in the BLU Midsummer Classic on 20th and 21st June in the second event of the British Longboard Union’s four competitions.
The 11th July will bring authentic Australian beach culture to Cornwall as the UK Surf Rowers League use brute force to race their surf rowing boats through the waves.
One of the highlights of summer is set to be the Surf Relief Festival (17th & 18th July) - a two day beach festival drawing together a stage of the UK Pro Surf Tour; surf lifesaving tournament; family activities; and beach sports and games. As well as a great day on the beach, last year’s event raised over £35,000 for the charity Surf Relief UK.
As the first autumn swells begin to pound the beach, the sound of thundering hooves will join the crashing waves for Polo on the Beach. Two teams play an exhibition match on 14th September in one of the most spectacular events ever seen on a UK beach.
2009 events at The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay
Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 May
English National Surfing Championships
English national surfing champions will be decided in over 20 categories.
Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 June
Zapcat King of the Surf – Rounds 1 & 2
The first two rounds of the high-octane surf powerboat race series.
Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 June
BLU Midsummer Classic
Round 2 BLU Longboard Competition
Saturday 11th July
UK Surf Rowers League Summer Series
Round 3 of the summer series.
Friday 17 & Saturday 18 July
Surf Relief Festival 2009
Pro surfing contest, surf lifesaving tournament, family events, and much more in support of Surf Relief UK.
Monday 14 September
Polo on the Beach at Watergate Bay
Surf meets turf in a reprise of one of the most spectacular beach events ever held.
Friday 25 & Saturday 26 September
Zapcat King of the Surf – Rounds 3 & 4
The king of the surf will be decided in the ultimate test - the waves of Watergate Bay.
ENDS
Images
High resolution print-ready images can be downloaded here.
Notes For Editors
The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay is one of Britain’s leading venues for beach sports and events. Founded in 1999, the Extreme Academy comprises specialist schools for surfing, kitesurfing, waveski, stand-up paddlesurf 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. www.watergatebay.co.uk
The Hotel, Watergate Bay has emerged from a £2 million programme of investment as a must-visit beach destination. With the public areas and bedrooms all refurbished in the past three years, the décor is beach house chic throughout. The contemporary modern look, award-winning dining and relaxed atmosphere are only topped by The Hotel’s unbeatable location right on the beach. www.watergatebay.co.uk
White Stuff, the fashion lifestyle clothing label, are sponsors of the Extreme Academy and supply staff uniforms for The Hotel & Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay, and Fifteen Cornwall. Founded in 1985, the company have 45 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. www.whitestuff.com
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 |
