North Devon to host Atlantic Watersports Games 2011

North Devon is to host one of Europe’s most exciting and top sports events this summer following its successful bid to win the 17 th Atlantic Watersports Games 2011 (23 – 28 July).

Europe’s leading watersports champions and a wide audience will converge on North Devon for the Games which could boost the area’s economy.

The Atlantic Watersports Games brings together under 21’s that have competed at world and national level from 33 regions across five countries. More than 300 competitors have already registered to take part from 10 regions, including Portugal, Spain, France and Ireland. A 90 strong Devon team will also be competing as North Devon is also home to some of the UK’s leading watersports athletes.

The 2011 Games will feature Surfing, Surf Kayaking at Croyde Bay, Kite Surfing at Westward Ho! Surf Life Saving and Sea Kayaking at Saunton Sands, Rowing on the River Torridge at Bideford and Sailing at Roadford Lake.

North Devon was selected to host the games as it boasts some of the UK’s best surfing beaches and watersports venues and thanks to help from local businesses and organisations raised the necessary funding to support the Games following the last minute withdrawal of Wales after the impact of stringent budget cuts.

North Devon + Tourism and Economic Development Partnership, which is to manage the event on behalf of the International Games Committee, gained financial backing following a successful appeal for £50,000 sponsorship from local companies. The event is also being given financial backing by the European Cooperation Fund and the NEA2 project.

The Atlantic Watersports Games are being supported through sponsorship from Bideford Town Council, Actavis, Ruda Holiday Park Croyde, Tiki Surf, Saltrock, Torridge District Council, Redbull, Lloyds TSB, Active Devon and Bideford Bridge Trust.

Laura Holt, North Devon + Marketing Manager, says that the Games will help to raise the profile of North Devon as a tourism destination as it will showcase what the area has to offer; “The Games are a very high profile sports event and North Devon has been able to rise to the challenge of hosting the event as it has some of the UK’s best watersports venues and facilities set in outstanding countryside and coastline. The local community has also rallied around to offer sponsorship to help make the 2011 Games one of the best and most exciting ever.”

Bideford will play host to the opening ceremony on Sunday 24 July with an afternoon of festivities at Bideford Quay, with a craft and food market, live music and street theatre before the competing regions will take to the streets in a procession through the town at 5pm.

Spectators will also have the chance to experience a range of watersports activities with a daily schedule of taster sessions of activities from surfing, rowing, power kite to sailing and surf life saving.

For further updates on the 17 th Atlantic Watersports Games 2011 and a schedule of events please visit www.northdevon.com . Anyone who would like to get involved in the Games should contact Isabelle Boomham at . For more information about the Atlantic Watersports Games 2011 please visit www.atlanticwatersportsgames.co.uk