Article updated Thursday 30th June: One week from now, on Friday 1st July, Kalkan will once again celebrate the Festival of the Sea.

It's a fun day, with lots of water based competitions, down at the Kalkan town beach, and in Kalkan Bay. 

If you are in Kalkan next week, we highly recommend going along to watch.  Take a look at some KTLN photos from earlier festivals - click on the links below.

In fact, why not take part?  It's going to be a hot day, so taking the plunge could be just the thing to cool down.  Here is what you can expect to see.

Swimming competition
On Friday morning, at about 11.00 there will be swimming competitions. 

Boats take people out into the bay, (not too far out), and they swim back to shore. 

Competitors are placed into male and female groups,in age bands, and there are also competitions for children.  The winners get medals! 

It's open to anyone, not just Turkish people.  If you want to take part, you need to be at the beach for 09.30, to get your name down.

Walking the plank
You can also witness something near the Fener Bar, that is similar to 'walking the plank'. 

It involves brave souls walking along a wooden pole, smothered in olive oil, to retrieve a small Turkish flag stuck on the end. 

By the way, it's the pole that is smothered in oil, not the people!  Whether they get the flag or not, there is an inevitable dunk in the sea waiting for them.

The Kalkan boat race
Later in the afternoon, at the time the day trip boats normally return to the harbour, for one day only, the boat captains go hell for leather, in a mad dash home.  It's quite a sight.

Evening entertainment
In previous years, the Belediye has organised some kind of evening entertainment behind the beach.  When we asked what was planned this year, they were not able to provide us with details.  If we get to hear anything, we will update this article.

KTLN webcams
If you are not in Kalkan next Friday, to witness these events first hand, why not take a look on the KTLN webcam at Korsan Fish Terrace.  It is ideally positioned to give you a great view of the swimming races, and also the tour boats dashing back to the harbour.

Finally, if you want to see what the Festival of the Sea looked like in 2009 and 2010, take a look at the following articles.  There are more photos in the 2009 article.

KTLN news article - Festival of the Sea 2009

KTLN news article - Festival of the Sea 2010

Update Thursday 30th June
Here is the running order, as shown on the Kalkan Belediye website.  The start is shown as 11.00, however, none of the individual events has a time listed.

Our advice is to get down to the harbour early - from 09.30 onwards, especially if you wish to get your name down for any of the competitions.

The boat race is usually at the end of the afternoon.

1 - Coast Guard and watersports acrobatics show.
2 - Paragliding show
3 - Swimming competition
4 - Canoe competition
5 - The 'oily pole wth a flag at the end' competition
6 - Boat races
7 - A wreath laid at sea in memory of martyred sailors
8 - Beach volleyball tournament
9 - Medal and plaque ceremonies

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