One month to go to the National Watersports Festival

National Watersports Festival © Renato Balbino

The countdown is on for the largest multi discipline watersports event in the UK, with one month to go before the start of the National Watersports Festival (NWF) 2015!

Incorporating the disciplines of windsurfing, kayaking, SUP and kitesurfing, the festival kicks off on Hayling Island on Friday 4th September for three days of hard and fast racing, demos, taster sessions, trade show, clinics, live music, partying, camping and so much more!

Attracting up to 500 competitors and around 10,000 spectators, the NWF has steadily gained in popularity over the years and is now a 'must-attend' event on the watersports calendar, both for competitors and for those visiting as spectators, eager just to soak it all up and join in the fun!

Aimed at all ages and abilities but especially the weekend warriors who want to push themselves to their own personal best, the NWF has it all.

The event is completely free for visitors to enjoy although parking, camping and party tickets can be purchased if spectators really want to make a weekend of it. There is also the option to participate in taster sessions in all of the disciplines, for a small charge if spectators want to give any of the sports a go.

Racing will take place across the three days with various events to watch out for, including the mass launches where up to 200 sails could be out on the water at any one time, making it a breath-taking spectacle from the shore line.

As the sun goes down the pros will grab their boards and the crème de la crème of the windsurf and kitesurf communities will put on the ultimate floodlit displays, racing for the coveted podium places alongside the accolade of showcasing their skills to the audience, held captive by their phenomenal moves. All this against the backdrop of the NWF live music, this year being delivered by the Heathrow Jets and Andy Lewis's Perfect Blue, with Mod and Rockers as the fancy dress theme.

"The NWF has grown significantly over the years and is a true community festival where the sports come together under one roof and work together to put on an event that is respected and loved throughout the UK and indeed further afield," explains events director, Allan Cross.

"Every year we bring unique and exciting concepts to the event and this year no exception. New this year will be SUP Polo, where two teams battle it out on boards, to score in the opponent's goal. It'll be quite a spectacle on the water and is also surprisingly challenging!

"We'll also have the Chimet Challenge which will be a race around the Chimet Tower (with two laps of six miles each) which will be a national sponsored Team Rider event. So, one to watch for the windsurfing talent.

"The kids (under 16s) are also getting their own fleet race with the NWF Junior Windsurfing Formation Flyers (under 16yr olds) where we're embracing the future stars of the sport in their own turbo charged 'groms' comp.

"Get yourself down here and join in the fun!"

As with any big festival there will be food stalls, pop up shops and attractions for visitors, plus of course the whole stretch of beach for optimum viewing and festival chilling!