Viking Support for Sea Invasion!

Viking Office Systems become the official sponsors of the 2010 Queenie Festival open water swimming event.

If you fancy trying out open water swimming, the best opportunity this summer will be during the 2010 Queenie Festival (9th – 11th July).

On Saturday 10th July, adventurous swimmers will be taking to the waters off Port St Mary to tackle the ‘Manx Mile’ challenge.

Sponsoring the event is Viking Office Systems, the St Johns-based company which specialises in document management.

The swim is just one of the highlights of the second annual Queenie Festival, a community ‘Celebration of the Sea’ centred in Port St Mary and Port Erin.

Stan Keig, Managing Director of Viking Office Systems, explains why he decided to sponsor the Manx Mile: “I went to last year’s Queenie Festival and thought it was fantastic. Our whole family had a wonderful time. I said to (organiser) Tim Croft at the time that next year, I would support it properly.

“I was brought up in Port St Mary and used to swim across the bay, so the Manx Mile event really appeals to me personally, too.”

Organising the Manx Mile is Mark Gorry from the Isle of Man Open Water Swimming Club. Last year, Mark devised the ‘Scallop Shell Swims’ for the Queenie Festival, a series of fun, competitive swims for youngsters and adults in Gansey, Port St Mary and Port Erin Bays.

The popularity of those swims, which attracted entrants of all ages and abilities, spurred Mark on to create a new event for 2010.

This time, entrants will start at 2.30pm from Port St Mary inner harbour and follow a triangular course, which takes in Chapel Bay, before returning to the starting point. There will be classes for junior/inexperienced and senior/experienced swimmers, and participants may wear either wetsuits or swimsuits.

Stan has confirmed that as well as sponsoring the event, he will be taking part, along with his 9 year old daughter Elina, and father and daughter are currently training in the Western Swimming Pool. Stan is undeterred by the fact that the sea temperature, even in July, will be many degrees cooler than the pool, and says he will brave the sea without a wetsuit!

Viking Office Systems, established in 1994, has a long tradition of supporting events and causes in the community. The company has sponsored Douglas, Vagabonds and St Johns Rugby Clubs, as well as charities such as the Western Live at Home Scheme.

If you would like to find out more about the Manx Mile, contact Mark Gorry on (07624) 430631 or email markgorry@hotmail.com.

For more information about the 2010 Queenie Festival, visit www.queeniefestival.com. If you are interested in sponsorship, simply contact Tim Croft on (01624) 843394.

Friday 3rd July – Love your Beach

Friday has an impressive list of events all focussed on or beside Port Erin Beach. Beach Volleyball, Scallop Shell Open Water Swims, Flipper Football, a live samba band, a limbo competition, The Fairly Famous Family and a Barbeque by TV Celebrity Chefs Mitch Tonks and Mark Hix.

There will also be a beach bar serving wine, beer and tropical Manx cocktails thanks to Martin at The Bay pub.

Port Erin will certainly be THE place to be on the Island and we’re sure there will be a great atmosphere. With so much going on adults and kids will have a great night at the beach.

Thanks to Sure for sponsoring Friday’s fantastic beach event.

More details on Friday’s event can be found here >>>

Fun on the Water goes Swimmingly!

The weather was in our favour again tonight and ‘Fun on the Water’ at the The Shore Hotel and Gansey went swimmingly.

Actually, quite literally as the first legs of the Scallop Shell Swims got under way. With contestants travelling from across to take part this was a really great event to watch. Have to say I chickened out this year!! The main swim was 1mile long and was won in a time well under 30 minutes which is pretty impressive.

The Kayaking sessions provided by Adventurous Experiences went down extremely well too and I believe a couple of the groups heading out had a couple of playful Seals swimming along with them! There was also a kayak race and Dinghy sailing to entertain the crowds gathered along the seafront to watch and cheer on the competitors. It was fantastic to see Gansey so busy especially on such a good night.

Manx Queenies were back on the menu with barbeque and of course the special Queenie Festival beer brewed especially to compliment the sweet taste of the Manx Queenie by Okell’s.

To round the night off nicely Truman Falls set up outside the Shore for an evening of live music. Queenie Beer was flowing pretty nicely when we left so I’m sure there’s still many hardy souls making the most of the weather and the festival.

Tuesday 30th June – Fun on the Water

As part of the Queenie Festival’s Celebration of the Sea, Tuesday night is sure to cater for all those adventurous types with a range of activities topped off with a barbeque and live music at the Shore Hotel, Gansey.

There is a sailing regatta for Dinghy sailors organised by Jenny Quillin of 7th Wave; the first leg of the Scallop Shell Swims – an open water swimming event for anybody that fancies taking on either the extreme or novice courses set up by Mark Gorry; And Keirron Tastagh and his Adventurous Experiences team will be offering kayak trips from the foreshore whereby you can give sea kayaking a go,  groups will go out 10 at a time with a team leader.

We are really thankful to Tower Insurance for their Sponsorship of Fun on the Water.

So whether you want to get stuck in or just watch all of the activities whilst you enjoy the barbeque and music, Tuesday night is set to be an extremely popular and fun night out for the whole family.

More information on Tuesday’s events can be found here.