ENNISKILLEN is the place to be this weekend for action-packed free family fun, mesmerizing stunts and displays from World Class adrenaline water junkies as the Waterways Ireland Loughfest returns for a second inspiring year.
Waterways Ireland Loughfest takes place on Enniskillen’s Broadmeadow on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th June. The free family orientated event previously attracted thousands of visitors to the waterway for the inaugural event last year with the 2010 line-up ensuring a thrilling action-packed programme of water and land based activities that is sure to entertain everyone! Cool FM DJ Gareth Stewart will compere the action from the Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team, Freestyle Jet-skiers and Wakeboard Teams during the weekend long event.
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, 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.
The “Lakeland & Inland Waterway Family Fun Day”, providing free entertainment for all the family, centered on the Broadmeadow and Enniskillen Castle areas, will compliment the action on the water. Experience for yourself a “Taste of the Erne”, with live cookery demonstrations and sampling, take part in a Heritage Walking Tour, enjoy the wonders of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark with Fossil Fun or Exploding Earthquakes, or let the kids loose in the bouncy castle, paint ball and laser tag zone. Waterbus trips will be available to enable visitors to leisurely enjoy the beauty of Lough Erne. A range of boats will be on display from Mastercraft Ireland, Hanna Boats and jet Products. The Edge Watersports will have a wide range of watersports equipment available to purchase.
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 Loughfest 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 must be seen to be believed.”
Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing & Communications with Waterways Ireland said, “The Waterways Ireland Loughfest attracts local and international audiences to Lough Erne 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 Loughfest can take place. We are delighted to work in partnership with Fermanagh District Council and the event organisers to deliver the Waterways Ireland Loughfest and I know it will be a tremendous success.”
The Lakelands & Inland Waterways Fun Day (part of the larger Lakelands & Inland Waterways Marketing Strategy will highlight to locals and tourists the diversity and quality of attractions, activities and entertainments around Lough Erne. Providing excellent experiences for locals creates ambassadors for Lough Erne and Fermanagh, builds the brand regionally and will impact on the economy in the longer term”.
Rob Skelly of event organisers Fluid Events commented, “The Waterways Ireland Loughfest has been a phenomenal success since it began. 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 Lough Erne provides a wonderful platform and backdrop for the magnificent displays”.
Supporting the event is Waterways Ireland, which 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 event are Fermanagh District Council, Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism, Relentless Energy Drink and Yamaha UK. Jet Products is Ireland’s only official Yamaha Jet Ski dealer. Operating from Co. Tyrone their staff are factory trained service and repair specialists.
For further information on Waterways Ireland Loughfest click
waterwaysireland.org or on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Loughfest