Baysports
{{Short description|Water park in Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox water park
| name = Baysports
| image = Hodson Bay, Athlone, Ireland - panoramio.jpg
| caption = Baysports in 2017
| location = Hodson Bay, Athlone, Kiltoom, County Roscommon
| location2 = Ireland
|coordinates = {{coord|53.469454|-7.986906|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| homepage = {{URL|baysports.ie}}
| owner = Richard O'Hara
| opening_date = {{Start date|2009|06|22|df=y}}
| status = Operating
| area = {{Convert|1400|m2}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baysports.ie/about-us/gallery/|title=Water Park Athlone – Things To Do In Athlone – Baysports|website=baysports.ie|accessdate=14 August 2022}}
}}
{{Location map|Ireland|relief=1|lat_deg=53.469454|lon_deg=-7.986906|caption=Location of Baysports in Ireland}}
Baysports is an outdoor watersports centre located on the outskirts of Athlone at Hodson Bay on the west shore of Lough Ree.{{cite web|url=https://www.discoverireland.ie/roscommon/baysports|title=Visit Baysports with Discover Ireland|website=Discover Ireland|publisher=Fáilte Ireland|accessdate=14 August 2022}} It is home to Ireland's largest inflatable water park and adjoins the Hodson Bay Hotel.{{cite web|url=https://www.hodsonbayhotel.com/bay-sports/|title=Athlone Water Park Ireland – Hodson Bay Water Sports|website=hodsonbayhote.com|accessdate=14 August 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://athlone.ie/fun-for-kids-of-all-ages-in-irelands-hidden-heartlands/|title=Fun for kids of all ages in Irelands Hidden Heartlands|website=athlone.ie|date=16 June 2021|accessdate=14 August 2022}} Opened in June 2009, it holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest floating waterslide in the world.{{cite news|url=https://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/85637/new-guinness-book-of-world-records-entry-set-at-baysports-hodson-bay|title=New Guinness Book of World Records entry set at Baysports, Hodson Bay|publisher=Athlone Advertiser|date=23 June 2016|accessdate=14 August 2022}}
History
Baysports was opened on 22 June 2009 by Fianna Fáil TD, Mary O'Rourke.{{cite news|url=https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2009/06/23/new-boat-training-and-watersports-centre-opens-its-doors/|title=New boat training and watersports centre opens its doors|publisher=Westmeath Independent|first=Deirdre|last=Verney|date=23 June 2009|accessdate=14 August 2022}} Launched as part of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, the state-of-the art €1.5 million boat training and watersports centre aimed to exploit the tourism potential of what backers described as one of Ireland's finest natural amenities in Lough Ree.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/ireland/uncovering-the-mysteries-and-thrills-of-ireland-s-hidden-heartlands-1.3992106|title=Uncovering the mysteries and thrills of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands|publisher=The Irish Times|first=Martin|last=Doyle|date=31 August 2019|accessdate=14 August 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baysports.ie/hidden-heartlands/|title=Hidden Heartlands – Baysports|website=baysports.ie|accessdate=14 August 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.discoverireland.ie/irelands-hidden-heartlands/roz-purcell-holiday-hidden-heartlands|title="I could go back for three weeks" – Roz Purcell's holiday in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands|website=Discover Ireland|publisher=Fáilte Ireland|accessdate=14 August 2022}} Roscommon County Council provided Baysports in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland under the National Development Plan 2000–2006.{{cite news|url=https://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/14109/baysports-launched-at-hodson-bay|title=Baysports launched at Hodson Bay|publisher=Athlone Advertiser|date=26 June 2009|accessdate=14 August 2022}}
On 18 June 2016, Guinness World Records announced that Baysports had achieved the world record for the tallest floating waterslide measuring {{Convert|6.52|metres}} from the ground to the top of the slide, and {{Convert|12.54|metres}} to the top of the entire structure.{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2016/6/dare-to-ride-the-world%E2%80%99s-tallest-floating-slide-432985|title=Dare to ride the world's tallest floating slide?|website=Guinness World Records|first=Rachel|last=Swatman|date=21 June 2016|accessdate=14 August 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30738320.html|title=A lake near Athlone currently has the 'largest inflatable water slide in world' in it|publisher=Irish Examiner|first=Shaun|last=Cronin|date=2 June 2016|accessdate=14 August 2022}}
Activities
Baysports offers certified boat training, adventure sports and watersports activities to all ages on the award-winning floating slides, rockers and climbing challenges, with kayaking, powerboating, boat racing, sailing and rafting also offered.{{cite web|url=https://www.baysports.ie/things-to-do/isa-training/|title=ISA Training – ISA Training Centre – Baysports|website=baysports.ie|accessdate=14 August 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baysports.ie/things-to-do/other-activities/|title=Water Sports – Baysports|website=baysports.ie|accessdate=14 August 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.athlonespringshotel.com/baysports/|title=Bay Sports – Outdoor Activities Westmeath – Athlone Springs Hotel|website=athlonespringshotel.com|accessdate=14 August 2022}} There is also a junior water park near the shore to accommodate families with younger kids.{{cite web|url=https://www.baysports.ie/things-to-do/waterpark/|title=Explore Baysports Waterpark|website=baysports.ie|accessdate=14 August 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://athlone.ie/ireland-am-visit-athlone/|title=Ireland AM visit Athlone|website=athlone.ie|date=8 May 2020|accessdate=14 August 2022}}
Awards
| class="wikitable" | ||||
| Publication | Year | World record | {{Abbr|R.|Record}} Status | class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2" | Guinness World Records
| rowspan="2" | 2016 | Tallest floating slide | {{won|Record}} | {{cite web|url=https://guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/415876-tallest-floating-slide|title=Tallest floating slide|work=Guinness World Records|accessdate=14 August 2022}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.baysports.ie/ Official website]
Category:Water parks in Ireland
Category:Tourist attractions in the Republic of Ireland
Category:Tourist attractions in County Roscommon
Category:Tourist attractions in County Westmeath
Category:Sports venues in County Roscommon