NWF Newsletter March 2016

You may have noticed that 2016 is the 10^th Anniversary of the National Watersports Festival. The NWF has grown massively from that first, modest event at Hayling into what many consider being THE Watersports Event of the Year.

Naturally , the NWF team is working super hard to make the 10^th Anniversary extra special, and here is an insight into some of the plans that are afoot!

10^th Anniversary – The Biggest Ever NWF

Event Organiser Allan Cross wants to attract a record number of competitors and has promised a spectacular weekend of on- and off-water activities, which will keep all the family entertained from the minute they enter the Festival site. “This year we want to deliver a weekend that raises the bar on previous years,” says Allan. “We’ve got a number of things up our sleeve that will make this a must-attend event for both competitors and spectators alike.”

Raising the bar on an event that has grown to accommodate 500 competitors and 10,000 spectators is quite a feat, but as Allan says “When we started this event a decade ago we really didn’t know how many people would attend, but from the very first festival the NWF has exceeded all our expectations.” So watch this space!

NWF Reveals Chosen Charity

A founding principle of the NWF is that it is a Community Festival, supporting the watersports community and local businesses on Hayling Island. Raising money for charity has always been an important part of this ethos and this year, NWF will support local charity The Rowans Hospice. Dedicated to improving the lives of people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses, The Rowans Hospice supports more than 1,000 patients and families across Portsmouth and South East Hampshire every year. Services are provided free from discrimination and free of charge, but each year it costs more than £5 million to run, so a financial boost from the NWF will be invaluable in helping them to continue this vital work. Lesley Clayton, Community Fundraiser from The Rowans Hospice said “Many thanks for offering us the opportunity of being your local charity – we would be absolutely delighted to be one of your chosen charities for your 10th anniversary – it would be a wonderful opportunity.”

NWF Announces Full Live Music Programme

NWF is renowned for the outstanding parties on the Beach, with live bands, on both the Friday and Saturday nights during the festival. This year, however, there will be a full music programme, with live music both day and night, featuring a variety of talent new to the NWF, as well as some of the fantastic ‘old favourites’ who have entertained the crowds in previous years. The FOC’s, who attended the Festival a few years back, were the first to sign up with others to be announced.

NWF Gains International Approval from Graham Ezzy

As Hayling councillor, Andy Lenaghan said the NWF ‘It’s a wonderful event for the Island and attracts a lot of visitors. A lot of people try the sport for the first time. The coverage is worldwide now.’ The coverage is indeed worldwide – many international stars of the sport have attended the Festival over the years. One of these is Graham Ezzy. Ranked in the PWA World Top 20 in the elite discipline of wave sailing, Graham is a Maui-based professional windsurfer and son of David, founder of the Ezzy brand of sails. At NWF HQ, we were delighted to see that Graham had shared our 10th Anniversary news release on his Facebook page, saying “The UK windsurfing community is fun to hang with.” Praise indeed from someone who lives in one of the most iconic windsurfing communities in the world! Mind you, Hayling Island is pretty iconic itself; Hayling is seen as the birthplace of windsurfing. It is where, in 1958, 12-year-old Peter Chilvers is credited with inventing the sport!

Vote on the Colour of 10^th Anniversary NWF Hoodies

Every year, the NWF has a hoodie – and every year, it is a different colour and design. What colour befits a 10^th Anniversary edition? Have your say on our Facebook page!