Baysports is an outdoor watersports centre located on the outskirts of Athlone at Hodson Bay on the west shore of Lough Ree.[2] It is home to Ireland's largest inflatable water park and adjoins the Hodson Bay Hotel.[3][4] Opened in June 2009, it holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest floating waterslide in the world.[5]
| Baysports | |
|---|---|
 Baysports in 2017 | |
| Location | Hodson Bay, Athlone, Kiltoom, County Roscommon, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 53°28′10″N 7°59′13″W / 53.469454°N 7.986906°W |
| Owner | Richard O'Hara |
| Opened | 22 June 2009 |
| Status | Operating |
| Area | 1,400 square metres (15,000 sq ft)[1] |
| Website | baysports |
History
editBaysports was opened on 22 June 2009 by Fianna Fáil TD, Mary O'Rourke.[6] 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.[7][8][9] Roscommon County Council provided Baysports in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland under the National Development Plan 2000–2006.[10]
On 18 June 2016, Guinness World Records announced that Baysports had achieved the world record for the tallest floating waterslide measuring 6.52 metres (21.4 ft) from the ground to the top of the slide, and 12.54 metres (41.1 ft) to the top of the entire structure.[11][12]
Activities
editBaysports 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.[13][14][15] There is also a junior water park near the shore to accommodate families with younger kids.[16][17]
Awards
edit| Publication | Year | World record | R. Status | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guinness World Records | 2016 | Tallest floating slide | Record | [18] |
References
edit- ^ "Water Park Athlone – Things To Do In Athlone – Baysports". baysports.ie. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Visit Baysports with Discover Ireland". Discover Ireland. Fáilte Ireland. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Athlone Water Park Ireland – Hodson Bay Water Sports". hodsonbayhote.com. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Fun for kids of all ages in Irelands Hidden Heartlands". athlone.ie. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "New Guinness Book of World Records entry set at Baysports, Hodson Bay". Athlone Advertiser. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ Verney, Deirdre (23 June 2009). "New boat training and watersports centre opens its doors". Westmeath Independent. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ Doyle, Martin (31 August 2019). "Uncovering the mysteries and thrills of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands". The Irish Times. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Hidden Heartlands – Baysports". baysports.ie. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ ""I could go back for three weeks" – Roz Purcell's holiday in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands". Discover Ireland. Fáilte Ireland. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Baysports launched at Hodson Bay". Athlone Advertiser. 26 June 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ Swatman, Rachel (21 June 2016). "Dare to ride the world's tallest floating slide?". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ Cronin, Shaun (2 June 2016). "A lake near Athlone currently has the 'largest inflatable water slide in world' in it". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "ISA Training – ISA Training Centre – Baysports". baysports.ie. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Water Sports – Baysports". baysports.ie. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Bay Sports – Outdoor Activities Westmeath – Athlone Springs Hotel". athlonespringshotel.com. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Explore Baysports Waterpark". baysports.ie. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Ireland AM visit Athlone". athlone.ie. 8 May 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Tallest floating slide". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 14 August 2022.