Project

Since 1994, as part of the organisation of the Celtic Water Sport Festivals that bring together some 800 representatives of the Atlantic Coast countries and Celtic regions (Scotland, Galicia, Wales, Asturias, North Portugal, Isle of Man, Ireland, Cornwall and Brittany), strong bonds have been created between the managers of water sports in these areas.

Based on :

The acquired experience by the maritime regions of western Europe in water sports and sailing ;
The fact that these activities are a major tourism asset and lead to the establishment of a genuine economic sector developing employment opportunities.
Strong working relationships that the people in these regions have developed in the water sports sector over the past ten years.
The growing demand from tourists to participate in water sports activities during their holidays or leisure time – demand confirmed by many surveys carried out on a European scale;
The quality of the coastal and inland waters of these western Europe regions and their suitability for the practice of water sports;
The diversity and importance of know-how regarding the development of the tourist activities in these regions.

Eleven partners situated in Portugal, Spain, France, Great-Britain and Ireland, submitted a project funding bid on the 30 June 2004, as part as the Interreg III b « Atlantic Area » program, that aims to develop the nautical sector in these regions into an inter-regional network.

The regions benefiting from this project are :

The Norte region, and more particularly VALIMA and the Metropolitan Area of Porto (Portugal)
Galicia, including the Deputacion de Pontevedra (Spain)
Brittany, including its western department, Finistère (France)
The Manche department (France)
Cornwall (Great-Britain)
Wales (Great-Britain)
The Mid-West region (Ireland)

These regions and their local authorities already have experience in working together in the water sports sector (organisation and participation in the Celtic Water sports Festival, development of the Breton concept of Point Passion Plage and educational school trips to the sea-side in Galicia, multiple exchanges… etc.)