CELTIC GOODWILL RAID 2006 A GREAT SUCCESS SHOWCASING WALES’ WATERSPORTS AND MUCH MORE

A flotilla of Welsh craft were joined by boats from Scotland, Ireland, Belgium and France as they assembled in Holyhead for the weekend of the 23rd and 24th June to take part in the Celtic Goodwill Raid Regatta, before starting a two month-long voyage around the coast of Wales, Cornwall and Southern Brittany. 

39 visiting yachts were welcomed by Holyhead Marina and Holyhead Sailing Club for the regatta.  Whilst the racing went on, try a boat activities and wake boarding demonstrations in the harbour, by the Abersoch based Offaxsis Wakeboarding Academy, brought crowds down to watch and participate. There were stalls and clowns on the quayside and free hotdogs, hamburgers or ice creams for all spectators who showed an interest in the watersports opportunities.  The day culminated with prize giving and a seafarer’s supper in the Sailing Club accompanied by a romping sea shanty band.

 The Celtic Goodwill Raid is a 600 nautical mile, international cruise in company, or travelling flotilla, for boats of all types, linking a series of Maritime Festivals and Regattas round the coasts of the Celtic Nations.  The aim is to provide participants and a Welsh presence at the land-based events that were scheduled in the ports of call, thereby showcasing Wales as a watersports destination.  The underlying themes were goodwill, friendship and respect for our watersports environment.

Skippers and Crews joined the Raid and left it where they wished creating a snowball effect along the route.

After leaving Holyhead, the flotilla visited Pwllheli, Fishguard, Dale, the Seafair Haven Festival at Milford Haven, Lawrenny, Tenby, Swansea Maritime and Sea Shanty Festival, and Cardiff International Food Festival, before heading south to Cornwall and Brittany. 

 Brittany was Moule Frites and Sea Shanties A-go-go …

The Raiders were entertained, wined and dined in L’Aber Warc’h at the end of July by the local Sailing and Deep Sea Angling Clubs.   Sea shanties, dancing and as much moule frites as they could eat, washed down with the local ciders and wines, ensured the evening went with a swing for the 850 strong gathering.

The Raid’s organiser, Will Sutherland said, "We are organising these fun events to foster exchange relationships between cruising sailors in all the Celtic nations and we have started in the way we aim to go on.  We have been welcomed with open arms here and have invited our French Friends to join next year’s Raid in Wales and Ireland. Over 90 boats took part at various stages this year and we aim to make it bigger and better for 2007."

The cruise went on to similar evenings held in Camaret, Audierne and at the Lorient InterCeltic Festival before the Raid finished with the 15^th of August fireworks in La Trinité sur Mer.

Providing marketing opportunities for watersports providers in Wales …

 The Celtic Goodwill Raid provides various opportunities for the marketing of Brands, Watersports, Destinations, the whole Water Sports Tourism Industry and the sustainable use of our watersports environments.

As greater numbers of boats participate in future Celtic Goodwill Raids there will be an increase in spectators attracted to the landside festivals celebrating marine heritage and future water-sport opportunities for Wales, not simply in sailing but in kayaking, dinghy sailing, wakeboarding and all other watersports.

The organisers are providing free land and water space for stalls and demonstrations at the festivals in the ports of call to enable watersports providers to demonstrate their products and distribute brochures and leaflets.

The flotilla itself provides opportunities for all the sea schools and charter companies in Wales and Ireland to fill their boats and to participate in organised sailing fun events.

So join the Raiding Party 2007.

The Celtic Goodwill Raid is organised in Partnership with Wales Watersports International, North Wales Watersports, the Irish Sea Marine Sector and Local Clubs, Marinas and Authorities.

Email:  info@celticgoodwillraid.com

Web:   www.celticgoodwillraid.com

Tel:     01444 8331 706

Mob:    07801 240 420

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