NITB and OutdoorNI.com launch second annual Adventureland weekend
Friends, families or couples looking for something new to do will be thrilled to hear that the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB), in association with OutdoorNI.com, has launched the second annual Northern Ireland Adventureland Weekend which will take place on March 24 and 25.
Following the event’s huge success in 2011, this year’s action-packed weekend is set to be even more exciting with 31 outdoor providers across Northern Ireland offering a wide range of adventure activities for either £10 per person or at least 50% off normal price.
For fun seeking families there is introductory mountain boarding sessions in the Mournes, horse riding treks in the Glens of Antrim and high speed Sea Safaris on Strangford Lough. For those after even more adventure there are opportunities to tackle Northern Ireland’s first tree top adventure course in Moneymore, go coasteering along the spectacular sea cliffs of the Causeway Coast or to go exploring Fermanagh’s subterranean world on an unforgettable caving expedition near Belcoo.
NITB Product Marketing Officer Helen Carey said the weekend provides an opportunity for people to explore their adventurous side and to try a new activity.
“The 2011 Adventureland Weekend was a huge success with over 1,400 people taking part in 80 different events and we are delighted to launch the 2012 event with even more activities on offer,” said Helen. “There’s such a wide range of things to do and fantastic discounts on offer, everybody, from groups of friends, to couples or families with young children, can go outdoors and try something new,” she added.
“It promises to be a great weekend and all you need to bring with you is a sense of adventure and an expectation of fun. Participants will be looked after by qualified instructors so no experience is necessary.
“There will be something available to suit all levels of ability, whether it’s a bike tour of Belfast, wet bouldering in the Mournes, a wet and wild canoe adventure in County Fermanagh, or Northern Ireland’s only Tree Top Adventure Course at The Jungle NI. There really is something for everyone,” she concluded.
To get you started, NITB and OutdoorNI.com have provided a sample of the activities on offer during Adventureland this year.
Belfast
Sailing in the City – provided by Ocean Youth Trust
Participants will have the chance to learn the basics of how to sail a keelboat, how to hoist sails, helm a boat, tie knots and learn new skills on the waters of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.
Belfast by Bike – provided by Belfast City Bike Tours
Enjoy a guided bike tour of Belfast with local guides to show you the sites, some of which are only reachable by bike.
Family Canoeing at Shaw’s Bridge – provided by Mobile Team Adventure
Go canoeing with the family right in the middle of the stunning Lagan Valley Regional Park only minutes from Belfast City Centre.
County Antrim – North Coast and Glens of Antrim
North Coast Sea Safari – provided by Aquaholics, Ballycastle
Enjoy a high speed blast along the North Coast. Feel the wind in your hair as the high speed boat blasts you around the sights of the coast including Dunluce Castle, the stunning Portrush beaches, the sea caves at Whiterocks and the seals at Skerries.
Coasteering for Adults – provided by CoasteeringNI, Ballintoy
You will learn rock climbing and scrambling techniques as well as how to jump from great heights safely. With all wetsuits, buoyancy aids and helmets provided, you will scramble along a section of rugged coastline and dive into deep plunge pools.
Family Surfing – from kids to grandparents – provided by Alive Surf School, Portrush
These lessons cater for everyone from first-timers to budding surfing enthusiasts.
Family Sea Kayaking – provided by Simply Sea Kayak, Portrush
Take the family on a guided sea kayaking trip along a section of County Antrim’s idyllic Causeway Coast.
County Armagh
Explore Craigavon Lakes like never before – provided by SegwayNI, Craigavon
Test yourself around a skills course followed by an off road challenge. Come and compete against others or bring your friends and family to see who is the best.
County Down
Family Introduction to Mountain Boarding – provided by GASP Surfin’ Dirt, Bryansford
Learn the basics of mountain boarding on the slopes for basic training, with time to ride the hill afterwards.
Wet Bouldering in the Mournes – provided by Outdoor Concepts, Newcastle
Make your way up a river, climbing up waterfalls and jumping into deep plunge pools.
Family Island Canoe Trip – provided by Action Outdoors, Delamont Country Park
The sheltered waters of Strangford Lough make a great location for family canoeing, with amazing scenery and the chance to see a whole host of inquisitive local seals.
Strangford Sea Safari ‘Narrows’ Voyage – provided by Clearsky Adventure Centre, Castle Ward
Suitable for all ages from 3 years old, everyone will enjoy this exhilarating sightseeing boat tour of Strangford Lough. See the Angus Rocks Lighthouse, the SeaGen (world’s first tidal turbine) and some of the many seals at Cloughy Rocks Nature Reserve.
County Fermanagh
Wet + Wild – Canoeing and Bushcraft for Families – provided by Share Discovery Village, Lisnaskea
Paddle through the maze of islands and learn navigation, fire lighting and shelter building skills and go on a fossil hunt near the new Trannish Island Bothy.
Go Caving – provided by Corralea Activity Centre, Belcoo
Get out of the light and explore Fermanagh’s subterranean network of passages, streams and unusual rock formations led by a qualified cave leader.
County Tyrone
Adrenaline Play Zone – provided by Todd’s Leap, Ballygawley
Launch yourself from a 30ft tower, soar 500m across the spectacular Ballygawley hills before finishing the day as a passenger in a V8 Land Rover around off road tracks at competitive race speed.
Canoe Trip in the Sperrins – provided by Four Elements Adventure, Omagh
Spend half a day paddling the Drumragh River which runs through the heart of County Tyrone.
Paintballing Experience – provided by Adventure Tours NI, Ardstraw
This is a fast and fun paintballing experience with five exciting zones and tasks to complete to progress to the next stage.
County Londonderry
Half Price Hovercrafting – provided by Foyle Hovercrafting and Leisure, Limavady
Experience the thrill of skimming over land and water on a cushion of air, attempting the challenge of tricky corners on our purpose built grass hovercraft circuit with integral water hazards.
Northern Ireland’s only Tree Top Adventure Course – provided by The Jungle NI, Moneymore
This exhilarating course comprises of over 40 challenging elements set at varying heights above the ground (in some areas you could be suspended 70ft up).
Go Wheely Wild – Family Mountain Biking – provided by Far and Wild, Derry/Londonderry
These ‘wheely’ easy mountain biking sessions will teach you the basics of taking your bike off the beaten track with your kids, covering the essentials of safety and good technique to make the experience unique and enjoyable.
A full list of Adventureland activities with an online booking system for people wanting to take part is available at www.ni2012.com