Published: Tuesday, 2nd August 2022
Last weekend there was a super Sunday of events in King’s Lynn. Activities were held in the Tuesday Market Place, South Lynn and the Walks. This weekend the action takes place on the river Great Ouse.
The roaring engines of speedboats and high-octane water ski racing, jet skis and offshore power boats return to the river. People can watch the action from the historic waterfront of King’s Lynn for the Hanseatic Festival of Watersports 2022.
The free event will see the return of Formula 1, 2 and 3 water-ski racing, along with jet skiers and OCRDA performing demonstrations on the water, on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August 2022. Also this weekend Kim Lumley will be presented with her trophy for being accepted into the IWWF Water Skiing Hall of Fame in Florida, she's the first British person to be given this honour.
The Hanseatic Races have evolved over the past six years and are firmly established. Now in its seventh year it matches the famous Diamond Race which takes place in the Hanseatic town of Antwerp in Belgium.
The event is organised by the Hanseatic Festival of Watersports committee which comprises of Jason Russell, Tom and Michelle Lumley, Andrew Hornigold, Richard Stannard and Dan Roberts with support from the borough council. Tom Lumley said: “We tried for many years to put this event on and when the borough council agreed to let us go ahead we were ecstatic. Since its concept we have invested a lot of time and effort into this event and it has truly paid off. I would like to thank all the sponsors, especially the borough council and Peter Carter Haulage for their support. We also appreciate the Belgian teams coming over to the UK to support this event."
Cllr Graham Middleton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Business, Culture and Heritage at the borough council, said: “Last Sunday we were spoilt for choice with free activities in King’s Lynn. There was live music and entertainment on the Tuesday Market Place, a family-friendly Tudor event in South Lynn and our weekly Music in the Bandstand in The Walks. This weekend the focus is on the river.
“This is a fantastic event to watch from the South Quay. It has grown in stature each year and is now ranking as one of the best venues in the UK and Europe. Visitors from around the world will be coming to see this race and breath-taking spectacle, and we’re proud of what our wonderful town has to offer them.”
The event is supported by Adrian Flux, Barrus, Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, Carter Haulage, GB Watersports, Minuteman Press, Norfolk Leisure, Rollins Electrical and Studio 20a. Tom Lumley said: "If any individuals or companies are interested in being part of this event and would like to be a sponsor , we would welcome you with open arms."
There will also be fun family activities happening on the quayside across both days. The races start at 10:15am each day through until 3:15pm, with live music on the Saturday afternoon. Full details of the schedule will be published at facebook.com/hanseaticskirace.
