Achill all set ready for Battle for the Lake

ATMOSPHERE Some of the large crowd enjoying the live music at last year’s Battle for the Lake.

Anton McNulty

NESTLED against the stunning backdrop of Keel Lake on Achill Island and combining watersports, music and family entertainment, it is little wonder that the Battle for the Lake has been described as a ‘mini-Electric Picnic’ for outdoor enthusiasts.
Now in its eighth year, the festival which started off as a simple kite-surfing competition, has escalated into a weekend full of entertainment with close to 4,000 people expected to descend on the island this weekend.
The main event will be set on the Keel Sandybanks where there will be over 30 acts playing on three stages on Friday and Saturday night, culminating in a spectacular fire works display over the lake called ‘The Burning Lake’.
During the day there will be kitesurfing, paddle-boarding, surfing and windsurfing taking place on the lake and on nearby Keel beach and lots more entertainment for the family to enjoy.
Francois Colussi of Pure Magic told The Mayo News that this year some of the world’s best kitesurfers are taking part, including Redbull King of the Air and Dutch Free Style Champion, Kevin Langeree. He is excited by the talent which will be on show.
“The biggest names in kitesurfing will be coming, people like Kevin Langeree, Lasse Walker and Steven Akkersdijk, they are the superstars of kitesurfing. If we get the wind it will be the biggest show ever,” he claimed.
The Battle for the Lake is also still part of the Irish National Tour kitesurfing competition with some the best Irish kitesurfers battling it out for the title. Francois explained that each year they invited a special international guest to the competition and they have such a good time they all want to come back for more.
“Year after year they have so much fun that they want to come to Achill and be part of the show. It is serious but for the pro-riders it is more of a show and they enjoy the craic. It is unique because it is an event on its own which they like and express themselves. Sometimes mother nature in Ireland can be generous in terms of wind, especially in Achill, and they can have fun.”

Great music
Great music and hysterical comedy will be on display all weekend from some of Ireland’s best loved acts. There will be three stages with musicians of all genres promising to entertain the crowds over the weekend. Special international acts will also be making the journey west with Will Barber, one of the stars of the French version of The Voice, among the main acts on Saturday night.
As a special treat, the day time schedule until 5pm is completely free with an area dedicated to families and a line-up of activities and performances including bouncy castle, fun fair rides, games, music, kite workshop and a fantastic kiddie disco.
Francois said the festival was about bringing people and families together in a unique atmosphere to celebrate the end of the summer.
“The goal for the weekend is to provide a unique show and atmosphere with a blend of watersports, family, a beautiful landscape and music. It is not a pure water competition because it is not too serious, it is not a pure music festival but it is unique. It is like a mini-Electric Picnic for watersport and outdoor enthusiasts.”
The festival is in association with Mayo.ie, Rockshore and Pure Magic and takes place from this Friday, September 28 until Sunday, September 30.

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For more information visit the website www.battleforthelake.com or visit their Facebook page.