Port Edgar Open Weekend returns for a special 10th-anniversary event on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May featuring vast array of watersports sessions, streetfood, shopping, DJs, kids’ activities and adventure talks.
Expert instructors from Port Edgar Watersports CIC - the largest watersports and activity centre in Scotland - will be hosting numerous watersports taster sessions offering the chance to try canoeing, sea kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, windsurfing, keelboating and powerboating plus Wetwheels Edinburgh CIC will have experiences available throughout the weekend. The sessions cost £30 per adult and £20 for children over 8 years old. Activities must be pre-booked via Port Edgar Watersports - it is highly recommended to book in advance of coming along via www.portedgarwatersports.com/bookings/
An exciting new addition to this year's Open Weekend is a series of adventure talks on Saturday 4 May, hosted by fitness and sports enthusiast and podcaster Alan Nash aka Get After It Nashy.
11am: Ex-Royal Marine John Bathgate, who was shot by drunken pirates in the Amazon last year during his Summit to Sea expedition, will recount the moment his once-in-a-lifetime South American challenge almost proved fatal when he and his team-mate were attacked near the Colombian border.
1pm: Three rowing adventurers -Jess Goddard, Charlotte Irving and Taylor Winyard, self-styled the ‘Pacific Triow’ - will shed light on the training and preparations needed to get ready for the epic 2,800-mile row they’ll be tackling from Monterey in California to Hawaii later this summer as part of The World’s Toughest Row endurance event.
3pm: Double world record-breaker Mollie Hughes - mountaineer, sports adventurer and author of Blue Scotland - will share hair-raising tales of her incredible achievements in becoming the youngest woman in the world to successfully scale both the north and south sides of Everest, as well as the youngest woman in the world to ski solo from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole. She will also be discussing her book Blue Scotland – the ultimate guide to exploring Scotland’s wild waters.
Tickets for each event are available via Eventbrite at just £10 and children under 12 can attend free but must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-booking is recommended. Spread the word among your local pals and fellow parents!
Once again, the Open Weekend will feature a feast of food and drink options with a wide selection to suit all taste including Smoke and Sear; Alanda's Fish & Chips; Pizza Geeks; Taberu; Yu Ca Taco; Choola; Caravan of Courage; Moskito; Mimi's Bakehouse; and MacLaurins coffee.
Shoppers can peruse an extensive range of country, marine and casual clothing and accessories at the Marina’s shop, Beacon. The shop will have amazing offers over the weekend and features brands including Dubarry, Joules, Schoffel and Fairfax & Favor.
In celebration of its 200th anniversary, the RNLI will also be present offering practical skills training relating to water safety for both adults and animals!
Taylors Snacks – formerly known as Mackie’s Crisps - will be adding some further fun and games to the proceedings, with their special ‘potato shy’, ‘snack race’ and crisp grabber. There are also face painters, crazy golf and Make Mess Matter to keep younger visitors entertained.
Due to the popularity of the Open Weekend event, car parks are expected to be very busy, so visitors are being encouraged to travel by public transport. Local residents are encouraged to cycle or walk. For anyone arriving by car, there will be a £5 parking donation for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.