The parade of visual treats for the build up to Limerick 2020 European Capital of Culture continues with one of the world’s leading pro-hydroflyers set to perform FREE for the public.
The parade of visual treats for the build up to Limerick 2020 European Capital of Culture continues with one of the world’s leading pro-hydroflyers set to perform FREE for the public.
Scotty Knemeyer from Hawaii, will deliver a captivating display on his water-powered Jet Deck in a continuation of the city’s renewed embrace of the river. Knemeyer’s performance follows on from the stunning visual treat on the Shannon during Riverfest when World Champion flyboarder Gemma Weston left thousands jaw-dropped at her daredevil antics.
He will deliver two performances on July 8th, the first at 8pm in front of the Curragower Bar when he will fly to heights of 70ft in front of King Johns Castle, providing a unique opportunity for backdrop photos with one of Limerick’s great attractions.
The second performance will be on the Abbey River, in front of the Locke Bar, at 9:30 pm where people will be able to get another close view of the stunning performance.
Scotty has been a professional athlete all his life has competed on an world stage level at Motorcross across the US and now competes and performs all over the world for ‘Defy’, which manufactures a similar product to the Flyboard called the ‘Jet Deck’ and are bringing Scotty to Limerick as part of a tour of Ireland.
Defy decided to bring one of their team to fly on the Shannon after witnessing the excitement around Gemma Weston’s performance during Riverfest 2016 and with a view to capturing the stunning King John’s Castle as a backdrop for their promotional material.
Scotty is one of few performers in the world who can carry a second person on his board and perform amazing tricks and back flips - feats he will attempt during his performance in Limerick.
Looking ahead to the performance Sheila Deegan, Deputy Director, Limerick 2020 Bid Team, said: “We are in the closing stages for the bid for European Capital of Culture 2020 and throughout this process we have been extremely keen to celebrate Limerick as an international platform for performance, of all genres and varieties.
“Scotty Knemeyer will certainly add to that as he will put on a show in a niche but visually stunning space that will have all of us catching breath. It will reflect Limerick as the capital of culture that we know it is – one of excitement, of colour, fun and one, of course, one that celebrates its incredible natural resource, the River Shannon.”
Said Limerick man Ken O’Connell, who has helped bring this event to Limerick, “We’re in for a real treat. We got a stunning introduction in Limerick to the extraordinary and daredevil acrobatics of flyboarding with Gemma Watson’s performance at Riverfest and now we have a second massive treat with Scotty and his hyrdroflyer coming here on July 8th.
“He performs around the world at the Redbull Air Races, in front of crowds of up to 100,000. Given that July is the month in which the final decision on the European Capital of Culture designation, we are getting there on a high, literally with Scotty’s performance. This is his first trip to Ireland and he is really looking forward to it as has heard so much about the country over the years.”
