Gorleston Beach is the Place to Get Fit!
PR 140
6 March 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gorleston beach is the place to get fit and try out some unusual sports as part of a year-long pilot scheme recently backed by Great Yarmouth Borough Council.
Sport England is funding the project through its Active England campaign. It is being delivered by Community Sports Coordinator Marten Payne, as part of the Great Yarmouth Sport Partnership programme to encourage residents to participate in a range of activities.
The proposal is to establish water and land sports on the beach. They will include kite surfing, kayaking, surfing, power kiting, beach volleyball and football.
The sports will begin in March and continue until November.
Last summer Marten established power kiting from the Marina Centre on Great Yarmouth seafront which has proven to be very popular with more than 2,000 residents joining in the fun.
“The new scheme has being conducted in partnership with Neil Godbold and Andrew Fisher of Paracademy, who currently operate kite sports schools in Whitstable and Weymouth,” explained Community Services Section Head, Marie Hartley.
“Paracademy has an excellent safety record. Neil is an international kiteboard examiner, and trains instructors worldwide. Both Andrew and Neil are UK national trainers.
“The project is looking to support local residents in eliminating issues of anti-social behaviour along the cliff top, while helping to regulate and police all kite sports on the beach.
“There will be an active link-up with the beach lifeguard that will see safety on the beach further enhanced.
“The Active England project is all about increasing and promoting participation across the Borough that includes any form of physical activity from traditional sports, kiting to walking the dog.
“The Gorleston beach project is a great opportunity to make the most of our fantastic natural resources, while addressing local priority issues such as health, education employment, and crime through sport.”
The scheme will also see the refurbishment of the disused toilet block on Gorleston Ravine to act as an operational base for the project.
For further information call Community Services Section Head Marie Hartley on 01493 846354, or Community Sports Coordinator Marten Payne on 07766 205746.
Picture captions: 1 Active England Community Sports Co-ordinator Marten Payne power kiting.
Issued by:
Liz Dann
Press Officer
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
01493 846513