It’s thrill-a-minute at Cornwall’s adrenalin capital

By ROIBIN NOWACKI

WATCHING the golden sun setting into the deep blue Atlantic whilst sipping a cool glass of Cornish cider at Newquay’s stunning Fistral Beach is a memory I will always treasure.
Especially after the activity-filled day I had shared and enjoyed with Leila - my wife of just two weeks. This had included our very first unforgettable Zapcat race experience.
In my time I had ridden some of the most hairy and scary theme park rides in Europe and the USA - but my 15 minutes clinging on to one of these powerboats as they hit waves at exhilarating speed, took off into the air - and then crashed down with bruising impact - was far more thrilling.
Leila – totally new to boating on the sea prior to this, was in the other Zapcat during the race – how she managed to hold on I shall never know. It looked like our marriage was getting off to a bumpy start! But what fun it was!
Already famous as one of Europe’s top surfing destinations, and one of the UK’s most lively places for partying, Newquay now hosts the annual Zapcat Racing Grand Prix, each April.
The timing is perfect for those living in Northern Ireland as the seasonal direct low-cost flights with Jet2.com (www.Jet2.com) from Belfast International  Airport to Newquay – just 65 minutes - started at the beginning of April.
The Grand Prix is free to view and an estimated 15,000 spectators were on Fistral Beach watching this year’s spectacular series of races.
This year Blue Chip Vacations, who specialise in luxury self-catering holidays in South West England, were the Grand Prix sponsors.
We were fortunate enough to stay at one of Blue Chip’s luxury Zinc apartments just a stone’s throw from Fistral Beach, and a few minutes walk from Newquay’s old town centre and historic fishing harbour.
Our first self-catering experience could not have been better – it was like staying at a four or five star hotel, but without the staff and at a fraction of the cost.
A modern state of the art kitchen, two luxury marble tiled bathrooms, two designer-styled bedrooms with comfortable quality beds – which were already made - with bedding and towels provided.
There was a spacious lounge dinner - again featuring designer furniture and a massive flat screen TV. Outside there was a large sun terrace with table and chairs and lovely sea and coastal views.
If the modern and high-tech is not to your liking then Blue Chip can provide you with just what you require, including old cottages situated in the heart of a picturesque fishing villages, or deep in the Cornish  countryside miles from anywhere.
To make contact with Blue Chip, visit www.bluechipvacations.com or call 0844 561 2001.
Cornwall’s beaches are among the best I have experienced in 18 years of travel writing and Newquay’s five are each quite superb.
On one beach - the wonderfully named Lusty Glaze – there is an adventure centre – offering a range of activities - both land and sea based.
Coming close to the Zapcat experience when it comes to the testing of nerves - is the Activity Centre’s zip wire.
Strapped securely into a harness connected to the wire – Leila and I leapt off a 120-foot high cliff and slid at breathtaking speed 750 feet towards the opposing cliff on the far side of the beach.
Thankfully no contact was made with the rapidly advancing rock, instead we then slid backwards - again at great speed, and then forwards again.
When at last stationary by means of a mountain climber’s winch we then lowered ourselves down to the beach some 20 feet below.
Next to the zip wire launch platform cliff, abseiling the 100 feet down to Lusty Glaze beach is another activity on offer.
With both activities one is in the hands of professional instructors to make sure nothing can go wrong.
For more details and information of the actives available on the sea visit www.adventure-centre.org or phone 01637 872444.
For more information on holidays in Cornwall visit www.vistcornwall.com