North Sea Weekender festival is back

A festival of watersports returns to North Tyneside next month after making a splash last year.

North Sea Weekender features an open surf contest, Stand Up Paddle Board events, a pop-up food and drink village, very special one-off music shows and more.

It attracted thousands of visitors in 2021 after hundreds of people signed up to take part and shows sold out quickly.

CBK Adventures and Northern SUP Race Team will stage competitive and fun paddle board activities off Cullercoats Bay on 1-2 October.

Saturday’s races include 1.5km, 2.5km, 5km, tandem and K9 categories while Sunday sees an open swim and a giant paddle board team race.

That weekend, Northerly Swell will host a pop-up food and drink village on the Spanish City Plaza with live music, a bar and some of the region’s most sought-after street food.

The following weekend, October 8-9, the hugely popular Tynemouth Surf Co’s Open Surf Contest returns to Longsands with prize money up for grabs for competitors and a chance for spectators to see international surfers in action. The weekend features a major national junior competition too.

Spectators can hear full live commentary on the beach over both weekends.

There are some very special live music shows as part of the festival this year.

Turntable legend DJ Yoda plays the Salt Market Social in North Shields on October 7 with local breakthrough artist Hector Gannet playing a sold out show at the same venue the following day.

There’s the chance to hear some great new music from The Early Purple as they play an intimate show at the magical Watch House Museum in Tynemouth on 2 October.

Other activities across the festival include yoga, beach fitness sessions, community arts and a photography competition.

Councillor Carl Johnson, Deputy Mayor of North Tyneside, and portfolio holder for culture, events, and tourism, said: “There’s lots for people to see and do throughout the event and it’ll be good to see everyone enjoying themselves either participating in or watching the surfing, paddle boarding or having grabbed tickets to see those special music shows.”

“This event really showcases the range of opportunities to have fun in and around the water in the region and it looks set to grow and grow, drawing visitors from outside the area and supporting businesses.”

North Sea Weekender is organised by North Tyneside Council and supported by North of Tyne Combined Authority.

For further information follow the event on Facebook @northseaWKNDR and Instagram @northseaweekender.