A Personal Perspective on Broadstairs

Water Gala

The Water Gala actually started in 1888, only then it was called simply Water Sports and by 1930 it had become Water Gala. Traditionally it is always held on a Wednesday.

For information on the Water Gala please contact the Visit Thanet website .

2009 Water Gala

The 2009 Water Gala took place on Wednesday 19th August and was blessed with one of the best days weather of the summer. This years event was organised by a new team and they brought back some of the old favourites like the greasy pole competition, however someone had probably forgotten how high thge tide could be in Viking Bay and the pole was submerged for a while postponing the competition till later in the day. There were large crowds enjoying the beach as well as the stalls on the promenade and the funfair in Victoria Gardens. The day ended with the usual fireworks display.

There are photos from the 2009 Water Gala on the pictures page.

2005 Water Gala

The 2005 Water Gala was arranged by yet another new committee and once again the weather was just perfect for all the events taking place. This year there was a return to many traditional games and sports on the beach arranged by Thanet Leisure Force. On the beach there were competitions and swimming races for children, a decorated chalet competition for beach hut owners, a funfair in Victoria Gardens, music in the Bandstand and stalls along the cliff top.

There were three flying displays. The Utterly Butterly Wing Walkers gave their usual spirited show twice during the afternoon, and in between the Aerostars performed a superb display of precision aerobatics with a six ship team of Russian Yak aerobatic aircraft.

The day finished with a display of fireworks in Viking Bay. This has become a trade mark of the Summer evenings in Broadstairs with people thronging the cliff top and beach to watch the spectacular pyrotechnics, probably the best ones being those which seem to explode from the water.