Pure magic as Achill celebrates 15th edition of Battle for the Lake

The 15th edition of the Battle for the Lake water sport and music festival takes place on Achill Island this weekend with some of the world's best kitesurfers to show off their skills on the water.

The Battle for the Lake which has been dubbed Mayo's mini Electric Picnic kicks off on Friday evening with close to 5,000 people expected to descend on the island for the weekend of music and watersports.

The annual Battle for the Lake organised by Pure Magic Watersports takes place from Friday, September 27 to Sunday, September 29 and attracts some of the world's best kitesurfers to the island.

Combining surf culture, music, and plenty of craic, the festival will play host to Mayo Mayhem, a two-star IWA Wavesailing Competition; the Irish SUP Wave Classic; the Achill Surf Open; and The WOW Show, an invitation-only extreme kiteboarding event.

The Wow Show, arguably the highlight of the Battle for the Lake weekend, will see ten of the kite world’s most renowned pro riders taking to Achill’s frigid waters to battle it out in ten unique heats.

Off the water, the event will see some of Ireland’s most celebrated music acts take to the stage for a full weekend of music, from electric tunes to trad.

Francois Collusi of Pure Magic told The Mayo News that he is proud to host the 15th edition of Battle for the Lake which he said has become a highlight among water sport enthusiasts in Ireland and abroad.

“Battle for the Lake is one of our greatest achievements and it is a great sense of pride to everyone in Pure Magic to be able to run this festival for the past 15 years. It has grown from strength to strength and now it has become one of the major water sports festivals not only in Ireland but honestly on the planet. It is not just for one sport but for many sports because people are coming from all over the world.

“The Wow Show is quite unique in that you have the best guys coming and it is about the craic and also mixing their skills and talents and entertaining the crowds. The Mayo Mayhem windsurfing competition is part of a professional tour which is huge.

“On the music side it is a little electric picnic on Achill Island. Without the support of everyone and our team and partners we would not be here after 15 years. Nowadays there are loads of festivals which cannot keep going and we are lucky and happy to be still here and to welcome all these people to Achill Island,” he said.

For more information on Battle for the Lake and ticket information visit the website www.battleforthelake.com.