Organisers of an iconic annual event for St Ives have announced that it will return for 2023 bigger and better than ever, to make up for having to be cancelled for the last few years due to covid. 

St Ives Surf Lifesaving Club has announced that the St Ives Biathlon will take place on Saturday, June 17, supported by a number of new and returning business sponsors, as well as title sponsor Penwith College.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the event and  65th anniversary of the St Ives Surf Lifesaving Club.

The event draw competitors from all over the British Isles, plus international entries.

There will be a main competition, a novice event, a junior competition and team event.

Entry forms will be available from April 1. 

More than 300 people took part in the last event in 2019, and early indications are that even more people are expected to be drawn to the biathlon this year, as well as a record number of business sponsors, including a headline sponsor.

Chris Simpson, chair of St Ives Surf Life Saving Club and biathlon event lead said: “A leading event in the St Ives sporting calendar, the biathlon is a major fundraiser for SISLSC. 

“The tradition involves the community and supports our current lifeguards and lifesavers of the future. 

“Our biathlon is only possible with the support of local people and businesses and we have been overwhelmed by the number of business sponsors returning this year, as well as new ones, including our title sponsor – Penwith College. Penwith College is part of Truro and Penwith college, offering outstanding education and experiences to the local community. Their ethos is a great fit for us and we can’t thank them and all of our sponsors enough for their encouragement.” 

Steve Kenward, head of campus for Penwith College said: “As a college that puts community at the heart of everything we do, we are extremely proud to be sponsoring such a popular event for St Ives and an important fundraiser for St Ives Surf Life Saving Club. 

“The charity works hard to educate young people not only around life saving skills and staying safe in the water, but also the importance of the local coastal environment and protecting it – whilst also having fun. This has a huge synergy with Penwith College and we could not be more excited about supporting this event.”