Northern Ireland

With a dramatic seascape and a backdrop of drumlins and hills, steeped in industrial and strong cultural heritage, Ards Borough is situated on the Eastern coast of Northern Ireland and contains significant and formal Areas of outstanding natural Beauty and Areas of special Scientific Interest.
 
The dramatic Irish Sea and Strangford Lough coast line is one of the longest in Northern Ireland, sheltering beautiful coastal villages, superb flora and fauna and the largest Brent Geese m...See next
www.ards-council.gov.uk
www.canoeni.com
www.strangfordlough.org
www.exploris.org

North Portugal, between the rivers and the sea

The North of Portugal is opening up to watersports activities.
 
Even if, today, the watersport activities are not yet fixed in place as an essential part of the tourist economy, North Portugal knows that it has an important card to play in this area.
 
The boating traditions on the River Douro, one of the larger rivers in the region, the development of activities such as canoe-kayak or rafting, are perfectly complimentary with those activities typically found on ...See next
www.visitportugal.com/
www.visitportoandnorth.com
www.ccdr-n.pt

Centro Portugal

A Região Centro é banhada por uma longa costa atlântica – 275 Km – e dotada de um grande conjunto de cursos e superfícies de água com destaque para o rio Mondego e a ria de Aveiro. Complementarmente existem infra-estruturas na região, que proporcionam as melhores condições para a realização de actividades desportivas, com destaque para o Centro de Alto Rendimento de Montemor-o-Velho e as marinas da Figueira da Foz, Ílhavo, Peniche e Nazaré.
 
Esta riqueza de recursos estimula a ex...See next

Metropolitan zone of North Portugal (Porto)

Porto is one of the top places for the Portuguese maritime heritage.
 
Situated at the mouth of a busy river leading to the Atlantic, the city has developed a history based on a strong commercial background. What is astonishing therefore when we discover that to go onto the water is almost second nature.
 
Whether it is about following the route taken by the Porto wines from the vineyards that border the river down to the cellars in the port or to set out towards ...See next
www.amp.pt

The Irish Mid West

The Irish Mid-West, which brings together the counties of Clare, Limerick and the north of Tipperary, is home to a tenth of the total population of Ireland. The region which faces the Atlantic Ocean is subjected to a considerable maritime influence. The River Shannon which crosses it also contributes to its unique characteristic landscape by adding a certain calmness to its life. The region keeps a strong rural identity into which it integrates an important urban centre within the triangle Limer...See next
www.ldyc.ie
www.ulac.ie
www.oec.ie/burren/index.html

Huelva

Huelva se encuentra en el Suroeste de Europa y de la Península Ibérica. Incluida en la comunidad autónoma de Andalucía. Su territorio se divide en cuatro zonas: la sierra, el andévalo, el condado y la costa. Dentro de la provincia, la capital se halla en la línea de costa, al Sur, entre los ríos Tinto y Odiel. A 620 kilómetros de Madrid, unos 90 de Sevilla y 100 de Faro (Portugal).

• Extensión: 149 kilómetros cuadrados.
• Altura sobre el nivel del mar: 54 metros.
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The Finistère Region

Activities and days out to sail, swim, row, explore, surf, travel … rowing and Canoe-kayak on sea and fresh water, Sand-yachting, Kite-surfing, Diving, Surfing, Sailing and Day Cruising.
 

Heritage and Modernism

Finistère is a marine orientated region par excellence. Long term commercial sector, naval base, inland and deep sea fishing industry, marine distribution and navigation have all shaped the minds of this region for centuries.
 
The main de...See next
www.nautisme-finistere.com/accueil/accueil.asp
www.industrie-nautique29.com/accueil/accueil.asp
www.finisteretourisme.com/
www.cg29.fr/

Valimar

Valimar, with an urban population of around 220,000 inhabitants, covers the area of coast between Porto and Galicia as well as the towns in the Lima valley.
 
Because it is convinced of the economic benefit of developing the marine sector, Valimar has put itself forward as the project lead for North Portugal.
 
...See next
www.valimar.org

The Normandy Peninsular, a land of contrasts

We do not know much about the La Manche department and it is a shame, as the west coast of Cotentin is one of the prettiest coasts in France.
From the cliffs of the Nez de Jobourg, within a stones throw of the island of Aurigny, to the bay of the Mont St Michel, the countryside can change enormously within several kilometres. From the Chausey islands where the sea can fall and rise by as much as fifteen metres, to the island of Tatihou, the jewel in the Conservatoire du Littoral (Co...See next
www.manchenautisme.com/
www.cg50.fr/
www.manchetourisme.com/

Norte et Centro Portugal

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DIPUTACIÓN DE A CORUÑA

La provincia de A Coruña, situada en el cuadrante noroeste de la Comunidad Autónoma de Galicia, abarca 786 de los 1.200 km de costa que posee el territorio gallego. Galicia en general, y A Coruña en particular, presentan una amplia y singular franja litoral que posee unas óptimas condiciones naturales para la práctica de varias especialidades de la náutica de recreo.
 
Concretizando, la provincia de A Coruña presenta una amplia variedad costera que va desde las “Rías Baixas” de Arou...See next

Cambados

The fishing tonw of Cambados is situated in the middle of the Rías Bajas, right in the heart of O Salnés (Spain). The council has an extension of 23.5 square kilometres and its population is close to 14,000. It has a privileged situation in the Comarca do Salnés, characterized by a low and sandy bay, and protected from the southwest winds by the O Grove peninsula and the A Lanzada isthmus.
 
Cambados has three fishing ports and during the summer sea routes are organised, visiting...See next

Galicia, where the sea starts

One is not always aware, but the point furthest west on the European continent is in Galicia on the Finisterre Cape.
 
With nearly 2,500km of coast, the maritime heritage of Galicia is evident. The sea, place of work for commerce and the fishing industry has become recently a potential space for leisure. Today, the expansion of watersports is having an effect on this maritime heritage: school children are learning the technical basics, but also revisit their historical pas...See next
www.portosdegalicia.com
www.turgalicia.com
www.galicianavega.com
www.riasbaixas.org

Irlande

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The department of Pontevedra

The department of Pontevedra plays a leading role in the development of watersport activities on this western coast of Spain.
 
The Baixas estuaries and particularly the Pontevedra estuary are the ideal spaces for learning: protected from the wind, they offer a diverse navigable area of water in total security.
 
Even though the development of these watersport activities is still only at the early stages, the natural environment of Galicia coupled with the motivat...See next

Basse-Normandie

La Basse Normandie est un terrain de jeu exceptionnel pour la pratique des activités nautiques. La surprenante diversité de ses paysages, qui changent radicalement en quelques kilomètres, offre systématiquement d’un lieu à l’autre, un site de pratique totalement différent. Son littoral, long de 470 km, commence au Mont Saint Michel, dessine la côte de la Manche -qui compte parmi les plus belles côtes françaises- puis la côte du Calvados, caractérisée par ses très longues plages qui se découvren...See next

Pays de la Loire

Avec une population de près de 3,5 millions d’habitants, la Région des Pays de la Loire occupe le cinquième rang des Régions françaises. La Région des Pays de la Loire est également une région entreprenante : 4ème région industrielle, 5ème région économique française, avec des secteurs d’excellence (Aéronautique avec Airbus, agricole et agroalimentaire) et 6 pôles de compétitivité: automobile haut de gamme, biothérapies, pôle enfant, EMC2 (Ensembles métalliques et composites complexes), génie ...See next

Andalousie

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North Devon

North Devon – One of the finest protected landscapes in the UK
 
The majority of the coastline and unique inland areas have been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the criteria including; “having precious landscapes whose character and natural beauty are so outstanding that it is in the nations interest to protect them.”
 
A first class accolade for North Devon and Exmoor has been the recognition from the United Nations Education, Scientific an...See next

The two sides to Cornwall

The contrast between the south coast of Cornwall and its north coast is stunning. To the south, large inlets shelter ports and protect them against the whims of the Channel. Ports such as Falmouth, the Helford River and Fowey. Here exists an established, maritime way of life. When one passes over Land’s End, the western point of the region, the countryside changes again. With very little shelter, a coast battered by the winds and the swell of the sea – a paradise for surfers and other board wate...See next
www.cornwalltouristboard.co.uk
www.cornwallmarine.com
www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=29215

SouthWest

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Watersports in Brittany

                        “from the source to the shore”

A favourable environment

In terms of nautical assets, Brittany benefits from some considerable trump cards: 2,700km of coastline, rivers and lakes situated in some exceptional landscapes, ideal climate conditions, a regular supply of wind, customs inherited from a deep rooted culture, and areas of sheltered water that allow the taking up of a sport in a safe environment.

The many activities

Sailing schools (dingy sailing, catamaran sailing, windsurfing), cruise, surfing, sand...See next
www.region-bretagne.fr
www.nautismebretagne.fr
www.tourismebretagne.com