Plymouth is to be the location for a three-day world championship sea rowing event in 2009, generating millions of pounds for the local economy.

The Mayflower Offshore Rowing Club will host the FISA World Coastal Rowing Championships between 15-17 October 2009, with the courses set in the Plymouth Sound and around the breakwater.

It will be the first time the world event has been hosted in the UK., with more than 1,000 rowers, support staff and supporters are expected to grace Plymouth with their presence.

The 2007 event took place on the French Mediterranean coast near Cannes at Mandelieu-la-Napoule. Before the torch is handed to Plymouth for the 2009 event, San Remo in Italy will host the 2008 Championships.

Rowing's international governing body - Federation Internationale des Societies d'Aviron – asked the club's organising committee to put together a racing programme for the event, which will be made up of several ladies and men's categories.

Ian Douglas, chairman of the Mayflower Offshore Rowing Club, said the bid for the championships took 12 months to put together and Plymouth should be "very proud" of landing the event.

He said: "For the city of Plymouth it is yet another world-class event that it has landed. The organisers are recognising Plymouth as exactly that - a world class venue.

"Plymouth should be very proud of itself for landing this event which, we believe, will generate at least £2 million for the economy.

"Sea rowing is a growing sport and the world championships is the biggest event in the sport."

The Mayflower Offshore Rowing Club formally constituted itself as a club in April 2003, but has been involved in sea rowing since 2001.

Mount Batten Watersports Centre, Plymouth City Council, The University of Plymouth, Maritime Plymouth and the Royal Navy all helped the organising committee with their support for the bid.

It will now be looking for sponsors and supporters to help with the programme of competition, hospitality and entertainment.

The Mayflower Offshore Rowing club is also hosting the 'Eddystone Challenge' on 16th August 2008. The annual event includes a 28 mile row out to the Eddystone Lighthouse and back, and is open to anything that can realistically be rowed or paddled.