FOR a second successive year, Coleraine Borough Council is hosting the Portrush Regatta on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th August.
Following a successful launch last year, it is again being run in conjunction with Coleraine Yacht Club and Portrush Yacht Club with the aim of attracting sailing enthusiasts to the North Coast. Local families and visitors are encouraged to come along and join in the nautical-themed land based events. The highlight of the weekend will be the racing programme for cruisers and dinghies starting from Portrush Harbour on both days at 11am. Visitors will also be treated to a view of the 38 Ft Curragh Colmcille (the largest Curragh in the world) and the Causeway Coast Maritime Heritage Group plan to run a series of Curragh races over the weekend. The Kitty of Coleraine, one of the Borough’s most popular heritage boats will be showcased over the two days at Portrush Harbour.
Mayor of Coleraine, Councilor David Harding said, “This event is another great addition to the Borough’s events programme. I would like to thank Malin Waters for their financial support and our partners for providing their expertise, ensuring that this event becomes a stable fixture in Council’s annual events schedule. Everyone is welcome to Portrush to make full use of our wonderful coastline, either by lazing on the shoreline or getting out there to try any number of water based activities such as sailing, surfing, scuba diving, boat trips, sea angling etc.
A full programme of events is planned for the family onshore to complement the activities on the water including the Island Dhu open water swim on Sunday 18th, commencing at 1.30pm – only the bravest may apply! Members of the public can now use the brand new Beach Volleyball court at East Strand, which has become a permanent fixture as part of the legacy following last week’s World Police and Fire Games event. Some of the other activities available for everyone to enjoy, and free to all, will be a special visit by Paula McIntyre, the BBC Radio Ulster Resident Chef, who will be cooking up some seafood dishes at the Good Food NI kitchen during the weekend. There will also be a ‘static mermaid’, live music, ‘Punch & Judy’ shows, tales from the deep blue sea, basket weaving demonstrations, sand sculptures and a photographic exhibition with lots, lots more to enjoy. Special showings of Free Willy and Pirates in an adventure with scientists will also be available for viewing at regular times at the Playhouse cinema, Portrush.
A full programme of events is available from www.portrushregatta.com www.northcoastni.com . For a maritime weekend full of nautical fun and frolics, everyone is invited to make their way to Portrush for another fun filled weekend. www.colerainebc.gov.uk