The Cornwall'98 Venue Directory
SECTION 2
The Cornwall'98 Venue Directory
SECTION 2
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are located in the far South West of Great Britain and bordered to the North by the Atlantic, to the South by the English Channel and to the east, in the main, by the Tamar River and Devon. Travel links are now improved and the primary artery into Cornwall is the A30, from the M5 all the way into the heart of the County. Alternatively the A39 ‘Atlantic Highway’ provides a more scenic route. The A38 takes you into Cornwall from the East via Plymouth. There are direct services by rail and coach from London, Bristol and the Midlands, high-speed trains have cut journey time from London to just over 4 hours. Regular flights from London Heathrow on a circular route, with Brymon Airways, stop at Plymouth and Newquay and there is another commercial airport at Lands End and a heliport in Penzance which serves the Isles of Scilly. The nearest passenger ferry port from the continent is sited at Plymouth. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have a strategic position within the Atlantic Arc. High speed trains and sleepers to the Continent and the development of Exeter and Bristol as international airports now provide greater access for overseas visitors.
The region has over 300 miles of beautiful and dramatic coastline. Much of the countryside is designated as areas of outstanding natural beauty and sites of special scientific interest. It has a reputation for a splendid variety of views from the yellow coloured gorse of Bodmin to the rugged heart of the mining areas in mid Cornwall, such as Redruth, St. Just in Penwith and Camborne.
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly cover an area of over 354,800 hectares, with a population in the region of 500,000 people, many living in rural parishes and towns throughout six districts, Penwith, Kerrier, Carrick, Restormel, Caradon and North Cornwall. Truro, the historic Cathedral Town in Carrick District, is the capital of Cornwall. Hugh Town on St. Mary’s serves as the capital of the Scilly Isles.
The population is supplemented during the year by approximately 3.4 million tourists attracted by this temperate area. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have always been a popular tourist destination and although visitor levels have slightly declined in recent years, visitor spend has in fact increased and tourism is the region’s most important industry in terms of employment.
Cornwall’s Celtic heritage lends originality and inspiration to the regions’ arts and crafts. However Cornwall is also renowned for its celebrated coastline and its potential for water-based activities, from the Atlantic breakers of the North coast to the sheltered South coast, inland waterways, lakes and reservoirs, all within easy reach, providing a wealth of sites for watersports.
The Cornish have long identified themselves as a maritime ‘nation’, being virtually surrounded by coastal waters, estuaries and rivers; and naturally Cornwall is fiercely proud of its affinity with the sea. Long traditions of fishing, trading and smuggling have helped form its cultural heritage.
Historically the sea was a vital link, depended upon for bringing supplies, trading with ore, tin and clay. Cornish Ports were an important refuge as the first and last port in the Western Approaches.
For instance, Falmouth was a significant communications centre, with its famous Packet ships delivering mail throughout the world. Now commerce in this natural deep water harbour is concentrated around ship repair, bunkering and the emerging industry of cruise-liners.
In recent times the exploitation of Cornwall’s natural assets has undergone something of a re-alignment. The focus is now shifting towards the watersports leisure industry, which is growing in importance within the tourist economy of Cornwall.
Cornwall now has a flourishing reputation as a watersports haven. The long and varied coastline holds 4 commercial ports and 150 beaches. The rugged north shore receiving the brunt of Atlantic swells provides excellent sport for surfing, body boarding and wavesailing. In the sheltered south, wide estuaries, inlets and creeks offer a variety of sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing and rowing for all abilities and interests. There is also fishing and watersports tuition on over 8 inland lakes around the county. Scuba diving is growing in popularity and the clear waters of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly offer some of the best diving in the United Kingdom. From the North Coast to the South the diver is well catered for, with excellent visibility, plenty of compressed air sites and good access to the water. In Falmouth Bay alone the Manacles are the site of over 400 wrecks, and there is excellent deep water diving close inshore in the Carrick Roads.
Cornwall is learning to harvest its natural marine resources and this includes competing for a share in the watersports market. As a superb venue for coastal leisure activities, it follows that competitions and events in this area, which serve as a spotlight for promoting the region and the sport should be encouraged. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are becoming more experienced and renown for hosting many festivals and competitions celebrating their maritime history, thus increasing the regions status as a host to world class watersports events.
2.4 Cornwall ‘98 - World Watersports Festival
Cornwall ‘98 - World Watersports Festival is an initiative which aims to demonstrate the splendid natural amenities on offer in the region. Providing a showcase for enthusiasts and tourists alike with all kinds of watersporting events and competitions. It has already been highlighted that Cornwall is a county rich in maritime history, encompassing an almost limitless variety of water activities. The Festival which includes the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Races aims to celebrate this tradition .
Cornwall ‘98 will bring together international watersports competition in one place at one time as well as stimulating participation at all levels and creating a celebration both on the water and shoreside, demonstrating to tourists and enthusiasts alike that Cornwall really has it all and is the best venue for watersports ever.
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