Marine and Leisure
North Devon Watersports/Marine Leisure Project
The Nautisme Espace Atlantique (NEA2) is a Transnational European Funded project, which comprises of 23 European partners from England, Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal, working together to deliver sustainable development of the marine leisure sector along the Atlantic Coast.
At local level, this programme aims to boost the marine leisure sector and its economic impact in North Devon. North Devon + aims to work with watersports businesses, the public sector and voluntary bodies to help inform and develop opportunities for the sustainable development of watersports on our coast. This collaboration will seek to stimulate the sector through networking, promotion and marketing as well as identifying innovative ways to develop and grow the marine leisure sector whilst ensuring that our unique environment is protected.
Atlantic Watersports update
As a whole and given the timescale and challenges presented to the team it is fair to say the event went very well and as the main organiser North Devon+ was pleased with the feedback received not only by overseas visitors but by local people themselves. The event brought the community together from the private, public and volunteer sectors, displaying partnership at its best. This effect was very much noticed by the International Committee and support teams who all felt delighted by their experience.
In terms of out sourcing services and goods to help deliver the event, North Devon + tried whenever possible, to use local businesses, ensuring that money spent stayed in the local economy.
Bideford Red and Blue rowing Clubs have been invited to take part in a regatta in Nantes in September with a 1500euros donation from the French Club.
Given the high quality of the new watersports delivered in North Devon, the International Committee has decided to incorporate Surf Life Saving, Kite Surfing and Surfing Kayak in future games.
Key Numbers
Number of regions represented: 10 (Galicia, North Portugal, Pays de la Loire, Normandie, Brittany, Jersey, Cornwall, Devon, Wales, Merseyside)
Number of Athletes: 298
Number of watersports: 8 (Rowing, Sailing, Windsurfing, Kite surfing, Ocean Kayak, Surf Kayak, Surfing and Surf Life Saving)
Number of venues: 5 ( Roadford Lake, Bideford Quay, Westward Ho!, Saunton Beach and Croyde Beach)
Number of local watersports clubs and National Governing Body involved: 14 (Appledore Gig Club, Bideford Gig Club, Torridge Gig Club, Clovelly Gig club, British Kite Surfing Association, Westward Wind Kite Club, Rowing GB, Bideford Blues Rowing, Bideford Red Rowing Club, Croyde Surf Club, Saunton Surf Life Saving Club, Surf Life Saving GB, Roadford Sailing Club, Royal Yachting Association.
Number of sponsors: 21
Number of businesses supported: 36
Number of volunteers: 85
Non water sporting community groups involved: 5
