The National Watersports Festival celebrates its ninth successful year

The National Watersports Festival (NWF) celebrated another hugely successful weekend with enough wind, plenty of sun, big names and masses of spectators who came out in their droves to enjoy all the event had to offer.

Check out this excellent video of the event by Jamie Hancock.

The Trade Show was also bigger and better this year with all the names, pushing the boat (or the board!) out to showcase their impressive gear to the assembled crowds. They generously supplied kit and equipment for people to demo and made many new fans in the process.

With the growth of SUP in the UK over the past few years the water was chocker with every type of board, along with kayaks and kitesurfers who took full advantage of a breezier Sunday. Many are newcomers to the sports which the NWF is proud to encourage, driven by its sponsorship community.

Allan Cross, events director comments: “It’s been another fantastic event for the NWF and we were lucky to have all the elements of sun, wind and some great names attending. There are a lot of new people to the NWF community so we’re going from strength to strength which is really encouraging as we grow the event. Our thanks as always to Havant Borough Council and our whole sponsorship trade community.”

Dominating the water front this year was the Starborad SUP Water Polo court, which was the scene of much hard and fast, even chaotic competition during the night time final on Friday evening. During the day, the court was also used by a host of children and SUP rookies, keen to have a go at this unique activity!

The live music and party nights were as raucous as ever with the Heathrow Jets and Andy Lewis and his band rocking the party tent into the small hours.

Check out the gallery of shots below by Dave White