THE BLACK SEA ECHO: Sport on the Black Sea

Sofia Echo, June 23, 2008

A number of sporting events will mark this year’s summer, keeping the pace from last year. The booming tourism industry of Bulgaria has given sea sports a chance to develop, not only as a sport attraction but as a tourist one as well. It was not long ago when the calendar of Bulgarian Sailing Federation (BSF) was limited to a handful of events. Today it has more than 45 sport events planned for the year – a clear statement that water sports are booming in the country. Naturally, the bulk of events are planned for the hot months of July and August on the Black Sea and the BSF calendar will serve as a tourist guide with all the beautiful beaches and fun sports featuring in it.

The good thing about water events is that boats are not the only thing needed to experience all the fun. All a spectator needs to enjoy the festivities is a beach umbrella, sunglasses and preferably a pair of binoculars to enjoy the view. As the more experienced water sport fans know, such events usually finish at the numerous night clubs along the Black Sea which is one more reason to keep track of what is happening this summer in Bulgarian waters. The season has already started, and there are plenty more events to come. If one can pack really quickly, a great opportunity for entertainment at the sea is the Vuzrazhdane Regatta at Pomorie town. Pomorie is between Bourgas and Slunchev Bryag (Sunny Beach), the largest Bulgarian Black Sea resort.

The regatta started on June 19 and continued until June 22. Indeed the small Yal-6 class boats are not the most spectacular sight but they do serve as a good reason to visit the bars and nightclubs in the area. The Nessebar Spring keel-boats regatta, starting on June 20 and lasting for two days, is definitely worth seeing. It is regarded as one of the main events of the season. As an UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Nessebar old city is something that should not be missed while watching the boats in the harbour.

Keelboats will race in Varna on July 3 to 6 at the Regatta Port Varna.

Another main events in Bulgarian sailing world is the Regatta UniCredit Bulbank, which will take place on July 10 to 13 in the waters between Varna and Bourgas.

The other spectacular sailing event is planned for July 18 to 20 in the waters around Sveti Vlas and Nessebar. The Victory Regatta traditionally enjoys a lot of attention especially because all the action happens in front of the tourists residing at Slunchev Bryag resort.

August will not disappoint either, with the keelboats Regatta Port Bourgas scheduled for August 6 to 10.

Bourgas will also host the kite-surfing event on August 15 to 17.

The race-board Regatta Galatea will take place in Varna on August 8-10. Further south, in Tsarevo, the keel-boat Vasiliko Regatta will be held from September 12 to 14.
Boat racing is not the only sporting events offered by Bulgarian Black Sea. The second beach volleyball tournament of the M-Tel Beach Masters has already started in May but there are still five tournaments left to play. The good news is that towns on the sea will host three of the events. On June 27 to 29, Slunchev Bryag will host the second tournament; Varna will hold the third on July 24 to 27 and Sozopol will host the fourth one on August 8 to 10. The last tournament is scheduled for September 5 to 7 in Sofia. A total of 12 men and 12 women will compete for 60 000 euro in prize money. On June 20-22 Albena resort will host a round of the Horse Riding Wolrd Cup.

Bulgarian news from The Sofia Echo