Bakkafrost Scotland is supporting the next generation of windsurfing talent at this year’s Tiree Wave Classic. The headline sponsorship from the leading salmon producer supports the event’s Future Pros programme, helping to foster young Hebridean sporting talent. It also marks Bakkafrost Scotland celebrating 20 years of its Native Hebridean broodstock.
Event host William Maclean said the backing from Bakkafrost Scotland “makes all the difference”, helping address the unique challenges of staging the event on the Hebridean island.
First established in 1985, the competition is the longest-running professional wavesailing event in the world. As well as being part of the British Wavesailing Association UK tour, this year’s competition marks a major milestone as it returns to the world tour calendar for the first time in nearly 20 years.
Around 80 entrants are expected to take part on the Hebridean island, including six of the world’s top 24 competitors and the world’s number one and number two ranked windsurfers, Marc Pare and Philip Kosta, who are vying for the top spot.
Broadcast through Sky TV and international cable networks, dedicated coverage of the event reaches up to a billion people worldwide.
Tiree’s unique geography, with sandy beaches facing every direction, Atlantic swells, and moderate temperatures, provides world-class, wild conditions for wavesailing.
Among the local Hebridean contenders pushing through the ranks are teenage brothers Eddie and Mikey Maclean.
Eddie, 16, who has been windsurfing since the age of three and is a four-time British youth champion, recently placed fifth in the under-18 category at the World Cup in Tenerife.
Eddie said:
“The feeling of getting into the water is what I love, that sense of getting away from everything.
“When it comes to exams and school, competing has helped me deal with pressure.
“Coming fifth in the World Cup was a bit of a surprise, but I know my level and what I am capable of. My goal is to win, but I’m just focusing on doing my best, so I know I’ve given it everything.”
His 13-year-old brother Mikey, dubbed a ‘giant killer’ in windsurfing circles for regularly defeating older competitors, finished second in the under-15 category globally at the Tenerife World Cup.
Mikey said:
“I’ve been competing since I was eight or nine. Having top international competitors at the event pushes everyone to do well.
“I love the freedom of the water. Tiree is a special place with a deep history in the sport, and living here makes it even more meaningful.
“My goal for the Tiree Wave Classic is to beat my brother. I want to come first, though I know the competition will be tough. Looking ahead, I want to keep competing and to reach the top.”
Beyond the action on the water, Bakkafrost Scotland continues its support for the local island community by laying on a barbecue for people cleaning Tiree’s beaches.
As a major employer across the west coast of Scotland and the Hebrides, Bakkafrost Scotland’s long-standing partnership with the Tiree Wave Classic reflects its commitment to supporting the coastal communities where its employees live and work.
William Maclean, event host of the Tiree Wave Classic and father of Eddie and Mikey, said:
“It is the longest-running professional wavesailing event on the planet, and for the first time in nearly 20 years, it is part of the world tour, as well as being our blue riband event on the British tour. Having the world’s top-ranked competitors here makes this a truly prestigious and very exciting year.
“Without the range of support we receive, we wouldn’t be in a position to run a world-class event in the Hebrides. We face unique logistical challenges, including bringing competitors and media to the island, so Bakkafrost Scotland’s backing makes all the difference.”
Ian Laister, managing director of Bakkafrost Scotland, said:
“We’re very pleased to continue our headline sponsorship of the Tiree Wave Classic and support the next generation coming through the Future Pros programme, alongside celebrating 20 years of our Native Hebridean broodstock.
“Scottish waters support a wide range of vital activities, from sustainable aquaculture to world-class recreation, all thriving within the same shared environment.”
