A unique, free festival takes place throughout Westport next week as everyone is encouraged to ‘Get Out There’ and try a different sport or activity in a series of adventure points which will be scattered throughout the town from August 19 to 22.
Adventure activities on offer, free of charge, include archery, BMX biking, kayaking, kite surfing, scuba diving, sailing, and street orienteering. The festival will culminate in a family fun day filled with activities supported by local sports clubs and co-ordinated by the Mayo Sports Partnership.
Global adventurer Joe Simpson will be the 2010 Festival Ambassador. Simpson’s dramatic account of being left for dead after a fall in the Andes was made into the 2003 BAFTA winning film Touching the Void.
Seán McGowan, who last month became the first Irishman to row solo across the Atlantic, will receive the inaugural Outstanding Adventure Achievement Award.
Also, WEE Adventure Film Festival is teaming up with the Westport Adventure Festival to bring adventure films, from both Irish and international filmmakers to Westport.
The GaelForce West adventure race will take place on Saturday, August 21, the world’s largest one-day adventure race of its kind. It is a complete sell-out for 2010 with 3,000 participants set to race over the 65km stretch from glorious Glassilaun Beach to the finishing line at the Quay, Westport.
The Westport Get Out There Adventure Festival is a new community driven festival supported by Westport Chamber of Commerce, Destination Westport, Gael Force, Mayo County Council, Mayo Sports Partnership, FÁS, and Fáilte Ireland. www.westportadventurefestival.ie
