The award winning Ramsgate Town Council tourism initiative, Active Ramsgate, has just launched Active8 Week.
This dedicated week in September is to celebrate all things active in Ramsgate – with eight activities that can be enjoyed within Ramsgate all year round being offered up for people to try out for FREE!
Active Ramsgate is designed to support economic development in the town by promoting the Ramsgate area through its inspiring range of outdoor activities. The Active8 Week aims to showcase some of these, and offer visitors and residents the chance to win a ticket to try them out.
Taking place from September 18-24, there is a different activity to try out each day for free. The activities on offer include a 3 hour kitesurfing lesson on Ramsgate Sands, the location where top kitesurfer Lewis Crathern broke the UK record for the highest kite jump – a whopping 22.3 meters!
Also on offer are Pickleball Taster Sessions, a hot new sport which is quickly gaining in popularity since its arrival from the US. Ramsgate is one of the few places in the UK where you can play this game – a cross between tennis, badminton and table tennis – and the National Outdoor Pickleball Championships were held in Ramsgate earlier this year.
Then there are Scuba Diving Taster Sessions in a local swimming pool – did you know that Ramsgate is one of the best destinations in the world for shipwreck diving – along with a small group, sea kayak to view the seals and birds at Pegwell Bay. All equipment will be provided so why not try out a new sport!
There are also active pursuits on offer for those that are more land loving, including a guided coastal walk to Broadstairs, a guided cycle on the Viking Coastal Trail, a birdwatching tour led by a birding expert and golf – all of which give people the opportunity to get out and enjoy the best scenery and nature that Ramsgate and the surrounding area has to offer.
Apply to try out Active8 for free
Those keen to try out these activities should apply via email to Active Ramsgate [email protected] giving their name, contact details and the activity they would like to take part in, by the 5pm deadline on September 8. Each name will then be entered into a free prize draw to win a place on an activity and successful participants will be contacted with arrangements to take part in Active8 week.
Video by Keith Ross
For those that are unsuccessful in their application, or are unable to make Active8 week, there is also an Active8 special offers leaflet that provides discounts or freebies, so you can still try out outdoor activities in Ramsgate. The leaflet can be picked up at local visitor information centres in Thanet, as well as downloaded from the Active8 page on the Active Ramsgate website at: http://www.ramsgatetown.org/activeramsgate/active8.aspx
The full list of the Active8 Week activities on offer are:
Monday, Sept 18 – Pickleball Taster Session – 10am, Spencer Square Tennis & Pickleball Centre, Ramsgate.
Tuesday, Sept 19 – Guided Coastal Walk – 10.30am, Ramsgate to Broadstairs “Sea It All” small group walk led by Explore Kent.
Wednesday, Sept 20 – Birdwatching Tour – 9.30am, Sandwich & Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve led by birding expert Tony Swandale.
Thursday, Sept 21 – Discover Scuba Diving Session – 7pm, St Lawrence College Pool led by Thanet Diving & Watersports.
Friday, Sept 22 – Guided Wildlife Canoe Safari – 11.30am, Ramsgate to Pegwell Bay paddle led by Thanet Diving & Watersports.
Saturday, Sept 23 – Small Group Guided Cycle – 10.30am, from Ramsgate along part of the Viking Coastal Trail led by Explore Kent (cycles provided by Ride Thanet cycle hire or bring your own).
Sunday, Sept 24 – Unlimited Golf Play for Families – Any time, on the Par 3 course at Stonelees Golf Centre (clubs provided).
Introduction to Kitesurfing – 3 hour lesson with Kite Pirates Kite School. Taken at a time during the week to suit, based on weather conditions. Needs to be a competent swimmer.
To get more information on Active Ramsgate and all the activities on offer, visit www.ramsgatetown.org/activeramsgate