The National Watersports Festival (NWF) is celebrating after an epic weekend at Rutland Water, with  sunshine welcoming the three-day festival to its new home in the East Midlands.

Having spent a decade at Hayling Island, Portsmouth it was all change for the festival this year but after a superb weekend of non-stop racing, clinics, demos, parties, live music and the introduction of new sports to the line up it, was a thumbs up all round and a promise that next year will be ‘even bigger’!

The NWF’17 attracted its loyal brand traders and hard core festival goers, who have become the lifeblood of the event and who the organisers are ever grateful to, for their unwavering support. The event also attracted many new competitors, new businesses and new spectators and the buzz and excitement surrounding the festival was evident.

The setting of Rutland Water is ideal for first timers, who want to hug closer to the shoreline and learn more, whilst for the more experienced the lake offers miles and miles of varied playground fun. With windsurfing and stand up paddle boarding now equal partners in the festival line up, with kayaking and now diving as additions for taster sessions and recreational users, Rutland Water offered the perfect venue for every activity and for all levels of experience. There were over 300 in the water on taster sessions alone.

Allan Cross, event organiser commented: “We’ve been truly overwhelmed by the welcome and support we received at Rutland Water. Our thanks to Anglian Water for hosting us and supporting our move to Rutland and to the Grainstore for sponsoring all of our bar and live band partying fun. Thanks to our first-class trade family but most of all the participants for believing in the event and helping us to showcase Rutland as such an exceptional location.

“There will also be lots we’ll take away from the weekend that we want to improve and make even better and welcome everyone’s feedback for next year. Just visit the Facebook page and leave us your thoughts. https://www.facebook.com/WatersportsFestival/

“The move to Rutland has completely invigorated the NWF and brought about a whole new exciting chapter for us. We’ll see you all next year.”

For results visit http://www.windsurfingresults.co.uk/NWF2017.html

Photos: Rockerlilne Clothing and Fourth Picture

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