Beach Polo Wins Silver At SW Tourism Oscars

Above: The award-winning Polo on the Beach at Watergate Bay. Photo: David Griffen.

A Cornish beach polo festival was named last night as one of the region’s best tourism events.

Polo on the Beach at Watergate Bay won Silver in the “Best Tourism Event” category at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards 2009/2010. The ceremony recognises tourism businesses which offer an exceptional customer experience.

The event, organised and hosted by The Hotel & Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay, was praised by the judges as a unique event which demonstrates Cornwall’s innovative spirit and commitment to attracting high-value quality tourism.

Presenting the award, Gill Williams, Travel Editor of the Sunday Mirror, said: “Polo on the Beach brings an exciting sport to a range of people who would never normally get to see it, in a fantastic setting.”

The first edition of Polo on the Beach in 2007 was the first polo match ever to be played on a British beach.

The event, centred around a free exhibition match between international polo players, was founded to introduce the sport to a new audience while providing a boost to Cornish tourism outside the main summer season.

The most recent edition of the event, held in September 2009, attracted over 3,000 spectators to the famous surfing beach and generated national media interest before and after the event.

Claire Davies, Events and Marketing Manager at The Hotel & Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay, said: “We put on a huge range of events at Watergate Bay, from professional surfing to Zapcat powerboat racing, but Polo on the Beach is a bit special.

“There’s a huge amount of work involved in organising Polo on the Beach and some real challenges, from arranging the transport and stabling for over 20 polo ponies, creating bespoke VIP hospitality packages, to making sure everything runs smoothly for the hundreds of spectators who attend.

“It’s great fun to work on because it gets better every year, and for the event to be recognised with this award has made the team at Watergate Bay really proud.”

Entrants in the awards were judged on a range of exacting criteria, with the winners needing to demonstrate outstanding levels of customer service, plus exemplary facilities, along with a commitment to sustainability, recycling and the environment and being accessible to all.

Polo on the Beach will return to Watergate Bay for the fourth edition on 16th September 2010.

ENDS

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Notes to Editors

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

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

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