Skegness Kite and Xfest 2008

The first 40 kite surfers to register for Skegness Kite and Xfest (July 11-13) will get free camping on the North Parade car park site - and could find themselves shaking off the hangover from the pre-event Welcome Noodles Reception, or the official lantern beach party and barbecue, by joining Jolly for  50s-style keep-fit from centre stage. A virtual gym will also be available to use to warm up for the day’s action.

As well as again having the luxury of the use of the showers, café for registration and breakfast, and toilet facilities at Xsite Skate Park, which is co-hosting this year’s competition, organisers Skegness Surf and Kite Academy are working very hard to make the event the one everyone will be talking about.

Riders’ ‘playtime’ will this year again start on the Thursday afternoon with a Press launch and free wakeboarding sessions at Skegness Water Leisure Park. The free noodles reception that night at the Beijing Restaurant, opposite the camp site, will be open to riders, crew, Press and sponsors.

Energy giants Centrica will also be celebrating this year having come on board as Skegness Kite and Xfest official sponsors.  Last year, Centrica – which is building the world’s biggest wind farm off the Skegness coast - supported the event by funding its official website, designed and managed by Subliminal, to help raise awareness of the Academy and of its own wind interests.

“We clearly share a common interest in harnessing the wind and we have been impressed not only with the Academy's commitment to the environment and to young people but to providing events which are sure to attract visitors to the town,” said Neville Barltrop, Public Affairs Manager Renewables.

“We've always been committed to raising awareness and understanding of our projects through exhibitions, newsletters, the media and our website. Events such as this will also help us to share information with an even wider audience."

Centrica has pledged £10,000 funding over an 18-month plan to help develop the festival, which last year attracted flyers and families from all over the country.

Even at the early stages of development, the turbines made a fantastic backdrop for pictures of last year’s action. Members of the crew are planning to come up for the event and take part in the demo sessions over the weekend.

After the schools’ day on Friday, it will be time to chill at the event’s lantern beach party and barbecue, with Soul Cracker and John and the Dog Band taking the spotlight in the Beer Tent Disco and Live Lounge.

Also pumping up the action from noon near centre stage will be live wrestling. Mid afternoon, drums will roll for the Xfest08 Live and Free music festival, with a line-up of the region’s top bands, including Mobile Act unsigned winners Envy and the Other Sins.   After a full programme of eight bands and two DJs, spectators can head off into the resort to enjoy the nightlife.

On Sunday, competitors who swapped big air for speed at last year’s event will again get the opportunity to ride with Independent Horse in a demo spectacular. On centre stage, the family entertainment in the afternoon will have a X-factor feel, with Britney from BBC TV’s the One and Only, an Abba tribute act and Donna Squires’ Street Dancers taking the spotlight.

During Sunday evening, for those who are having such a good time they just can’t drag themselves away, there’s Xtreme Wrestling at the Sun Castle – or riders they might like a go at the newest attraction opposite the festival site – paintballing!

More details will be posted on Xfest’s website on the run-up to the event, including accommodation deals.

For more information or to book a stall or Trade Show pitch,
email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or call events organiser Jade Corssen on 07926720050 or co-ordinator Chrissie Redford on 07919961624.

2007 Event -

Hosted by – Skegness Kite & Surf Academy in association with The BKSA

Centrica, sponsors of the website for SKEGNESS KITE & XFEST, host to Round 4 of the British Kitesurfing Championships, were shown new ways for using wind when they were treated to power kite lessons and demonstrations from BKSA riders on Friday 22nd June 2007.

After spending the previous day enjoying a warm-up session on the cable ski tow courtesy of Skegness Water Leisure Park, followed by a ride in the fire engine limo, provided by Big Limo 999, a pampering session in the spa at Butlins and a magnificent feast at the noodles party at Beijing Dragon Restaurant, all provided for free, riders felt ready to hit the beach to show the Centrica guys how to do things.

On hand to give instructions were:
Lewis Crathern – Current British Champion, 21 year old Slingshot and Jimmy Lewis rider
Johara Sykes Davis - Currently leading the Pro Women’s competition, 24 year old, Flexifoil & Jimmy Lewis rider
Sjoukje Brendenkamp - World Speed Record Holder, 18-year-old, Naish rider

Neville Barltrop, Public Affairs manager for Centrica Renewbles Development Team and
Gero Vella, marine biologist of Renewable Energy Systems and part of Centrica’s development team were at SKEGNESS KITE & XFEST to increase public awareness for the development of the Lynn and Inner Dowsing wind farms. The wind farms, which are to be built 3 miles off Skegness, will provide 130,000 homes with energy, nearly half of the homes in Lincolnshire.

Both Neville and Gero admitted to not having flown a kite since childhood and were amazed at the power of even the small two line kites and were fascinated by the size of the kites that the riders use in competitions.

Richard Gowers, Chairman of the BKSA said; “It’s great to have Centrica on board. We share a very common interest in our need for wind although our usage is different. It’s fantastic that we can link Kitesurfing with environmental projects such as these.”

Whilst waiting for the wind to kick in, riders made use of the excellent facilities at the Cable Tow and X-Site Skate Park before finally getting on with the competition on Sunday.

Riding was good in the Pro Women’s comp with all riders being of a very similar standard. Johara Sykes Davis took 1st place with her consistent riding giving her the overall lead.

In the Men’s Amateurs final, Dan Gallimore’s excellent riding saw him take first place.

Ladies Amateurs only had two entrants with Kiera Alwood giving newcomer Anna Whitely something to think about.

The Seniors provided the best displays of the day with 4 times Amateur Champion, Kevin Maquire, putting on one of his best performances ever. Despite recovering from a gastric bug and being in the full throws of a chest infection, Kevin showed epic determination to hang onto his title whilst pulling off one huge Deadman!

Junior, Dan James rode consistently, pulling out the old school move, Deadman alongside new moves, F16’s & Kiteloops giving him 1st place ahead of Toby Raw & Tom Butler who both put in a good display but were just piped to the post.

Helen Thompson & Tom Butler added extra entertainment to the day when they surfed in front of a crowed beach whilst being towed by horses courtesy of the Independent Horse Extreme Demo Team!


RESULTS

Pro Women
1. Johara Sykes Davis - (Flexifoil, Jimmy Lewis &Turbulence)
2. Sjoukje Bredenkamp - (Naish)
3. Helen Thompson – (North)

Amateur Men
1. Dan Gallimore - (North)
2. Dave Williams – (Best)
3. Rhys Lloyd – (Airush)

Amateur Ladies
1. Kiera Alwood
2. Hannah Whitely

Seniors
1. Kevin Maquire – (Best Jimmy Lewis)
2. Pete Whitely
3. Marizu Okereki

Juniors
1. Dan James - (North,)
2. Tom Butler - (F – One)
3. Toby Raw - (Naish)
4. Deri Lloyd

For further information about what kitesurfing is download the following pdf
guide to ride leaflet or go to the online flick book

Kind regards.
Jo Edmondson
Media & PR Coordinator for the BKSA
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
01706 861372
0777 333 58 61
ExPix
www.expix.co.uk
Media Partners for the BKSA

Pre - Event Information 

Location- North Beach, Skegness

Dates - June 22, 23, 24

Event - SkegX 07

Website - www.skegX.co.uk - online 25th may

The website has a wealth of info - site map , accomadation , whats going on - check it out. 

Registration- 

Location- Skegness Skatepark- Coffee Shop

Pro Men / Ladies - Friday 15th 8.30am -9am Sharp

Am Men / Ladies Juniors and Seniors Saturday 16th 8.30-9 am

Please advance register if possible to guarantee a place as numbers are limited  This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Parking

Parking for competitors- Limited - First come 

Parties

Friday- Whiskys - Live Bands ( Free)

Saturday - Whiskys - Live Bands ( Free)

Sunday - Whiskys - Live Bands ( Free)

WORLD class kitesurfers will be heading for Skegness in June to turn the resort into a mecca for extreme sports enthusiasts.

Thousands of people from all over the country are expected to flock to the East Coast to soak up three days of action and fun on the sea and beach area.

Last year's event attracted high profile kitesurfers such as World Champion Kirsty Jones, who it is hoped will also be in this year's professional line-up all battling it out for points and prizes in the round of the British Kite Surfing Association Pro Tour.

"In 2006, Skegness gained credibility as an extreme sports destination. The riders loved it and said they couldn't wait to come back," said event director Chrissie Redford

"As part of the Pro Tour it is set to be even more of a spectacle - and very exciting for the future of the resort."

The event is organised by the charitable organisation Skegness Surf and Kite Academy, with the help of funding it won from the European Regional Development Fund, Lincolnshire County Council and East Lindsey District Council.

Following the success of last year's competitions it is hoped more businesses will invest in it and help it grow.

"As well as raising the profile of the area and being fabulous entertainment, events like this can attract investment into the area," said Chrissie.

Partnerships have been formed with neighboring councils to take this year's event forward.

An event the week before at Hunstanton has organisers working with Kings Lynn Borough Council to revive the Cross the Wash Race, last held at Windfest in 2004.

The Skegness event would then become part of a new Wash or East Coast series.

"The Cross the Wash will be held during the week before Xfest whenever conditions are right, with riders bringing over the BKSA flag Olympic games style to start the action in Skegness," said Chrissie.

Competitions in Skegness will start on the Friday, billed as a schools' day. As well as an opportunity for students to watch world class kitesurfers and have a go at powerkiting, Boston Athletics Club is organising a triathlon, involving a run, kiting on the beach and a skate.

North Kesteven District Council is helping to organise attractions on Sea View Road car park, including surf simulator-type rides, following the Academy's involvement in an extreme sports event it ran at its sports centre.

Other attractions planned for the car park include live bands, crafts and food. Urban dance and graffiti workshops are also planned.

Xsite Skate Park will again host the Xfest skateboard demo, featuring some of the country's top riders, and skate jam.

Beach sports will also be held, with one of the top attractions over the weekend being horsesurfing by the Independent Horse stunt riders.

Accomadation 

All 10% off for competiors 

Southview Leisure - Caravan Park - 01754 896000