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Powerboat Weekend in Ireland
I hope it's ok to post this here - the event is entirely non-commercial and being funded by the local authority!! In any case, we've got a great weekend planned and I'm extending an open invitation to anyone on here to come across - if you need any details on special ferry or hotel rates we've negotiated, then PM me. Similarly if anyone plans to come across under their own steam (..red diesel, petrol, go-go juice, etc...) then also let me know and I'll assist in any way I can.
Thundercats are Go in Ireland
Youghal (County Cork, Ireland) is set to be the most exciting location in the country this coming June when the Thundercat European Beach Challenge takes place from the 20th to the 22nd. On water, on land and in the air, the thousands that attend are promised world-class entertainment for the entire family. For the first time ever in Ireland top international Thundercat teams will race right on the shoreline, giving spectators a powerboating experience they can almost reach out and touch. Unusually, for an Irish outdoor event, weather conditions are not an issue - if the weather is great then everyone will enjoy a balmy, yet exciting weekend at the beach in Youghal, but if the weather is in any way inclement then the Thundercat spectacle gets even more exciting. In short, whatever the weather - Youghal is going to be the place to be.
Continuing the family-friendly theme of the weekend the organisers have packed a huge supporting festival into the three days of the event. The weekend will open spectacularly when one of the World’s top firework designers launches his first ever Irish display. The firework design team visited the site last month and have been carefully working up an amazing display – they’re giving little away at the moment, but have promised it will be something bigger, better and more amazing than has ever been seen before in this region. What we do know, is that it’s all going to be set to a wonderful soundtrack of Irish music. The fireworks will be preceded by a free outdoor concert by ‘Abbaesque’ and a parade by the Thundercats - all right in the centre of Youghal town – plus a few additional surprises to be announced over the coming weeks.
Daytime on Saturday and Sunday the action moves to Claycastle Beach (1 mile from the town) where an exciting programme of land, sea and air displays will keep all ages entertained from 10am each morning until 7pm each evening. And if that’s not enough, then there’s also an exciting boatshow for those that catch the boating bug, a great funfair, plus a top food and craft market. For nine hours each day, audiences will be thrilled by the non-stop entertainment – all for free. The organisers have worked hard to ensure that all ages will find something of interest, and that a truly great ‘family day out’ will be had. In the evening the action moves back into the centre of Youghal Town with even more great free concerts and street entertainment.
To make life easy for the thousands expected to attend, there will be a full park and ride service in place with shuttle buses transferring visitors from designated parking locations to the main event site, and into Youghal town centre. This year’s event is completely free to the public and huge thanks are extended to Cork County Council, Youghal Town Council, Youghal Socio-Economic Development Group and the business community in Youghal for providing the funding required to make an event of this enormous scale possible.
Thundercats began life as surf-rescue boats in South Africa where they were the only boats that could go out into the wild Southern Ocean waves to rescue surfers. Following a eureka moment from some of the rescue crews, these small inflatable craft started racing in the surf just off the beach. They are now raced all over the World, from South Africa to Australia, New Zealand, all over Europe and both sides of America. Pulling well over 2g on corners these amazing craft have a better power-to-weight ratio than a Ferarri. Racing at speeds over 60 mph they race a tight circuit right on the shoreline and race finishes often see them driving right up on to the beach at full speed. This is the first powerboat race to be held in Ireland under the guidance of the Irish Sailing Association’s (ISA) new Motorboat Division, and it is fitting that Thundercats will kick-off what promises to be an exciting new era for Irish watersports. Exciting, challenging and great fun, Thundercats look set to become a regular sight in Irish waters, with many new Irish teams expected to be tempted into the series due to their relatively low cost of purchase.
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