WATERWAYS IRELAND RIVERFEST SKIS INTO TOWN
 

COLERAINE is the place to be next month for action-packed free family fun, mesmerizing stunts and displays from World Class adrenaline water junkies as Waterways Ireland Riverfest returns to the Lower River Bann a fourth successful consecutive year.

 

Waterways Ireland Riverfest will take place on the scenic River Bann in Coleraine on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th July.  The free family event has previously attracted tens of thousands of visitors to the waterways and this year a thrilling action-packed full programme of water and land based activities is sure to entertain everyone!  BBC Radio Ulster presenter Alan Simpson will compere the action from the Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team, Freestyle Jet-skiers and Wakeboard Teams.
 

Following on from their first ever Northern Ireland performance last year, Florida’s Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team will make a return appearance to dazzle the spectators with their multi-award winning performance displays. The Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team, a group of talented skiers, will create synchronized ballet lines, death defying jumps, blistering barefoot skiing and other acrobatic daredevil feats. The Xtreme Action Freestyle Jet ski Team will also be in attendance headed by Pro World Jet Ski Champion Anthony Burgess, wowing the crowds with inverts of up to 20ft.
 

Paul Hughes from Xtreme Action, management of Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team commented, “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to come back to Northern Ireland to perform.  The team enjoys performing at Waterways Ireland Riverfest, as the location is superb.  It’s like performing in a natural amphitheatre. We’ll be doing some of our most popular routines this year but we will also be introducing one or two new tricks that we hope the crowd will enjoy.
 

The water-ski team have been practicing hard during the winter months to give the crowd a different show than they would have seen last year and they will be making the trip from their practice lake in Tampa Bay Florida. Pro World Jet ski Champion Anthony burgess will be back with new tricks including the amazing back flip that has to be seen to be believed.”
 

On-land activities will include climbing walls, bouncy castles and slides, laser quest, gourmet food stalls and live entertainment.  There will be a large range of boats on display from Hanna Boats, one of the largest boat dealerships in Ireland, with everything from small tenders to large sports cruisers in stock, based in Coleraine they provide an all round service for boaters of all descriptions along with Jet Products, Ireland's only official Yamaha Jet Ski dealer.  Operating from Co. Tyrone their staff are factory trained service and repair specialists.
 

For the less active enthusiasts there will be the chance to avail of leisure cruises along the Bann, courtesy of Robert Anderson and the Lady Sandel. And, if fishing or angling grabs you, a Coarse Fishing Angling competition will be held during the weekend at Movanagher Canal near Kilrea with the chance to win up to £250 in angling vouchers.
 

Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing & Communications with Waterways said, “The Waterways Ireland Riverfest attracts local and international audiences to Lower Bann for a fantastic weekend of waterway and waterside activity for all the family.  The boost to the local economy and the increase in potential waterusers is a very welcome outcome.  It is only through partnership that events such as the Waterways Ireland Riverfest can take place.  We are delighted to work in partnership with Coleraine Borough Council and the event organisers to deliver the Waterways Ireland Riverfest and I know it will be a tremendous success.”
 

Rob Skelly of event organisers Fluid Events commented, “Waterways Ireland Riverfest has been a phenomenal success since its inception four years ago.  For 2010, the line-up will be bigger and better cementing its reputation as one of the best water-sports events across the UK and Ireland.  The natural waterway of the Lower River Bann provides a wonderful platform and backdrop for the magnificent displays”. 
 

Supporting the events is Waterways Ireland, who actively promotes recreational opportunities on the inland waterways. As the navigation authority, Waterways Ireland manages over 1000km of inland navigable waterways and since its inception in 1999 has invested significantly in the development of the waterways and their facilities.  Also supporting the events are Coleraine Borough Council, Relentless Energy Drink and Yamaha UK.
 

Mayor of Coleraine, Cllr Norman Hillis, added, “This is a fabulous event and Council is delighted to be in a position to support it.  We welcome the continuous backing of Waterways Ireland, and the enthusiastic commitment of organisers Rob Skelly & David Kidd.  Council is particularly thrilled to be hosting such World Class experts in Watersports and we hope that the event will enjoy a successful fourth year. It is one of the largest events in Coleraine Borough Council's annual programme attracting people from all over the Province and the Republic of Ireland, and long may it continue.”

For further information on Waterways Ireland Riverfest click www.waterwaysireland.org or on Facebook www.facebook.com/WIRiverfest
 

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For further information please contact:
Chris Love @ Love PR
chris@lovepr.co.uk or +44 (0) 7968 477592