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White Air Extreme Sports Festival
With three days of great weather, a top class line up of extreme events, even more 'Have A Go' sports to try and a fantastic live music line up this year's White Air succeeded in satisfying even the most hardy thrill seeker.
A breathtaking beginning paved the way for an wonderful weekend of extreme events
The 12th Annual White Air Extreme Sports Event opened with a spectacular 9,000 ft skydive and parachute display descent from the RAF Falcons, one of the world's leading display teams. The 7 man team swept down onto the beach out of clear blue skies and sunshine leaving a trail of red and blue behind them.
Light Easterly winds and a small swell provided near perfect sea conditions for the first 4 heats of the European Thundercat Championships, held for the first time in the UK and White Air once again maintained its international status by attracting sportsmen and women from around the globe to compete.
Returning to White Air this year were the Parkour boys who were coordinating 'Have A Go' workshops throughout the weekend with a bigger and better set up than ever before. Many were inspired to take full advantage of the purpose built freestyle park, designed by Andi Potter and his team for the 6th year running, as the 'Have A Go' events were open to all. The hugely popular RAF Climbing Wall and EA Games certainly provided watching crowds with a surefire shot of adrenaline! For the less adventurous, spectator events included the amazing FMX 'Ball of Steel' stunt team. All the way from Texas, their Honda mini-bikes rode inside a 14ft steel globe and they demonstrated amazing freestyle ramp to ramp jumps. Spectators were also treated to some radical moves and fierce competition in Mountain Boarding over the course of the weekend.
An incredible influx of enthusiasts delighted in the opportunity to 'Have a Go'
Exploding from the skies the RAF Red Arrows opened the second day of White Air 2008 with their world class aerobatic display off Yaverland and Sandown beach. Crowds arrived early to revel in a second day of glorious sunshine and were rewarded with a high octane adrenaline spectacular on land, sea and air throughout the morning. The RNLI All Weather lifeboat and helicopter displayed a daring stretcher lift, and were joined by jet ski demo's and paddle boarders on the water and 'Have A Go' land yachting on the beach. First events of the day included the Thundercat finals of the European Championship for both the Blueprint and Standard P750s classes for Circuit Racing.
Entertaining the vast crowd once again, amateurs and pro's of all ages took to the ramps in the freestyle park with demo's from Marco Daehler and Arno VDV leading the pack and vying for the loudest cheers from the audience with their moves. At the MC Australia's Ryan Slater and Andy Potter delighted everyone with their commentary until Ryan couldn't stand by any longer and took to his board to join in the fun.
In the back field overlooking the venue and next to the RAF landing site the Red Arrows came in person to meet and greet on the ground, much to the delight of young and old. Once again the Trampa Mountain Boarding 'Have A Go' sessions remained in constant demand all day giving newcomers to the sport a great taster session. As predicted the sun brought out the crowds with the RAF boys working from dawn to dusk on the Climbing Wall, one of the most popular free events of the day. Gearing up for the evening the site remained packed with people chilling out and making the most of some later summer sun in anticipation of a rocking night of VIP parties, live entertainment and music from the Pigeon Detectives and Rob da Bank.
Pigeon Detectives headlined a top line-up of live stage music
The White Air 2008 Saturday Night Party was by far the biggest and the best so far with headliners The Pigeon Detectives kicking off another rocking night as over 3,000 revellers enjoyed dancing and singing with a chilled Corona in the late summer sun. Hot on their heels Radio One DJ Rob da Bank hit the decks at the Party In The Marquee just after 10pm, moving easily between old school rave, drum and bass and funk keeping the crowd buzzing for his entire set. Island boy Brett Lawrence held the great atmosphere finishing the night with his house and electro set.
First thing Sunday morning the kitesurfing boys were out in force taking advantage of brisk Easterly winds and clear skies enjoying an empty sea and gentle swell. A morning low tide revealed plenty of beach for most of the day giving everyone the chance to 'Have A Go' at surfing, land yachting, land surfing and paddle boarding, while the jet ski's demonstrated their extreme moves and wakeboarders later got a tow to ride waves right in front of the main White Air 2008 site.
The receding winds through the afternoon only allowed the Youth and Junior Windsurfing events to take place, leaving the pro windsurfers time to play off the water during the weekend. Clear blue skies and brilliant sunshine encouraged another big crowd with up to 30,000 spectators to watch a second stunning display from the RAF Red Arrows as they reached speeds of 400mph along the entire South East coast of the Island. Over the weekend visitors were not only treated to spectacular displays by the RAF Red Arrows and Falcons Parachute Display Team, but also had the unique chance to meet the men and women involved, much to the delight of fans young and old.
Gratitute on a global scale
Over the three days of the 12th White Air 208 Extreme Sports Festival a whopping 2,500 people experienced a 'Have A Go' taster sessions. Maintaining its international flavour and appeal many competitors travelled from around the globe and all over the UK to attend and enjoy the fun, games and very special party atmosphere.
The organisers would like to extend their thanks to all their sponsors and especially the RAF, Wightlink, Isle of Wight Council, Corona, Monster and Trampa, Sydenhams, ITS and to everyone who joined them this year at White Air 2008.
Text courtesy of 'White Air.'
©2009 Isle of Wight Council
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