Recently The Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Steve Baker, a keen fast catamaran sailor, visited Northern Ireland’s newest city to experience some of the water sports on offer in the area.

On a previous visit to Bangor, the Minister heard first-hand about the exciting regeneration plans in development for the City.
As he enjoyed a tour of the waterfront area, it prompted the Minster’s desire to return, and with a particular interest in sailing, he visited Ballyholme Yacht Club .
Ballyholme Yacht Club benefits from both the safe waters of Ballyholme Bay and the open waters of Belfast Lough. During the visit, Minister Baker enjoyed sailing a hydrofoiling sailboat and catamaran, and also took the opportunity to meet children taking part in an RYA Youth Sailing Scheme.
The Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Steve Baker, said: “Sailing with local people in Bangor’s Ballyholme Bay has been an amazing experience which has allowed me to enjoy first-hand the city’s great watersports infrastructure. “This area has a bright future, with exciting projects such as The Queen’s Parade Development which will benefit from £10m of UK Government Levelling Up funding, and the £40 million Belfast City Region Deal Funding from the NI Executive set to redevelop assets such as Bangor Marina.

“Such significant investment will provide a real boost, driving tourism and improving facilities for local people.”
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour, said:
“I am delighted that Minister Baker was so keen to visit Ballyholme Yacht Club and enjoy some of the water sports on offer. This is a very significant time for Bangor with the Queen’s Parade and Bangor Waterfront redevelopments offering the promise of £120M+ of investment into the area over the next 10 years. We very much appreciate Minister Baker’s keen interest in our plans and his support for the regeneration of Bangor is very much appreciated by all partners involved.”
Ballyholme Yacht Club’s inclusion in the overall Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment is an exciting time for both the Club and the community. More information on the Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment can be found at ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/bangorwaterfront.
Ballyholme Yacht Club is one of five key projects that make up Ards and North Down Borough Council’s ambitious and exciting plan to regenerate and redevelop Bangor Waterfront. The Club has been identified as a premier location within Northern Ireland to further develop sailing and water sports.
This family-friendly club currently offers people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to enjoy a range of water sports including sailing, swimming, windsurfing, kayaking, powerboating and paddleboarding. The club also hosts a number of local, national and international water sports events.