Portrush primed as British Championships hits the town

Surf Kayaking is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK and Northern Ireland has some of the World’s most talented kayakers. Locally there have been six World Champions in the sport’s short history with the most recent victory going to 18-year-old Jake King, who won gold in the Men’s Long Boat category in Australia in July.

Portrush is very pleased to host this year’s British Championships, which is known to be one of the toughest competitions in Europe. Competitors from England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Republic of Ireland are coming to the north coast to sample some of the best waves in Ireland .

Portrush previously hosted the British Open in 2010, and with such great feedback from the competitors, organisers are excited to welcome them back.

Hosting an international competition like the British Open would not be possible without the support of the Coleraine Borough Council and the event sponsors: Flood Marine, Ocean Addicts, Troggs Surf Shop, getwet.ie, JoeDerry, kayaksurf.net, 55 North, PeakUK, and Portrush Townhouse.

Mayor of Coleraine, Councillor David Harding said: “I would like to congratulate all those involved in bringing the Northern Ireland and British Open Championships in Waveski and Surf Kayak to Portrush in September this year. It is fantastic news for the north coast and will help to keep the Borough on a world stage as a major event destination.

“Having successfully hosted the 2013 World Police and Fire Games events, we are extremely proud and excited about this event returning to the Borough. As a Council we recognise that the success of our local World Champions has taken the interest in Northern Ireland Waveski and Surf Kayak to a whole new level. This championship further positions the North Coast as the sport and tourism events capital of Northern Ireland.”