POWERBOATING AND THUNDERCATS

Water-based activities have become an integral part of the Pattern Festival since its inception in 2007. 2009 saw the exciting spectacle of Powerboating featuring Thundercats in Ardmore Bay for the first time and in 2010 Ardmore hosted a round of the ISA National Powerboating Championships, featuring P750 (Thundercats/Zapcats) during the Pattern Festival. The speed and daring feats of the powerboaters held the crowd enthralled on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons – and you could also get your own chance to take to the  seas for a thrilling powerboat taster trip! It proved such a popular event, that we brought back the powerboaters once again for the 2011 Festival and hope to have them with us once again in 2012.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

For those who prefer their water sports a little less high speed, local company Ardmore Adventures provides a full programme of events during the Pattern Festival each year, including sea kayaking, rock climbing and team-building games. Ronan and his team are on hand to guide both beginners and more experienced kayakers and climbers through their paces, in what is an increaslingly popular sport.

BOAT COVE AND PIER

The Fun Water Polo organised by the local Ardmore GAA Club was a wonderful success in 2009 and 2010 – participants and spectators alike got great enjoyment from the fun and frolics in the waters of the Boat Cove, bringing back memories of times past, when hotter, drier summers saw holidaymakers and locals alike swimming and playing in the waters off the beach, Boat Cove and Pier on a daily basis.

The 2011 Festival saw Zorbing in the Boat Cove for the first time - hilarious and great fun! The Festival Committee hopes to include a number of water-based sports and activities in the next Festival, so be sure and join in!