White Air 08 Extreme Sports Festival Day Three - Sunday 21st September
Pictures: John Harper.
White Air 08 Extreme Sports Festival Day
Three - Sunday 21st September It's official, the White Air
08 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 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 this morning taking advantage of brisk
Easterly winds and clear skies the kitesurfing boys were out
in force 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 08 site. Heavy seas and wind later in the morning
prevented the Thundercats
from completing their planned long
distance race with an alternative course taking place off
the back of the Island and won by James Sinclair and Murray
McGregor in Chocky Clothing for the P740S class and Ronnie
and Roland Sjogren in Mr Dynamite in the P750 class. The
White Air European Championship titles were taken by James
Sinclair and Murray McGregor in Chocky Clothing for the
P750S class and Roland and Ronnie Sjogren in Mr Dynamite for
the P750 class. During the day a gentle swell allowed the
Paddle Boarding events to complete with overall winners
Bobbie Cooper, Juniors and Claire Blacklock, Womens of the
British Stand Up Paddle Surf Association Round 3, sponsored
by Wight Water and Tiki, maintaining their success from
yesterday. Taking the title for the Men was Neal Gent in
first, closely followed by John Hibbard and Scott Gardner in
second and third. A final day of 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. Sponsored by Tushingham Sails and Starboard the Youth winner of the
Junior Freestyle Windsurfing was Ben Harwood with Oscar
Carmicheal winning the title of 1st Non Sponsored Junior
Freestyler,
taking with him one years sponsorship with Tushingham and
Starboard plus various other goodies. After a massive
turnout every day of the event so far, with over 10,000
visitors throughout the weekend, clear blue skies and
brilliant sunshine encouraged another big crowd with up to
30,000 spectators given the chance 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 have been treated not only
to spectacular displays by the RAF Red Arrows and Falcons
Parachute Display Team, but also had the chance to meet the
men and women involved, much to the delight of fans young
and old. Over the three days of the 12th White Air 08
Extreme Sports Festival here on the beautiful Isle of Wight
a whopping 2,500 people experienced a 'Have A Go' taster
sessions. Maintaining its international flavour and appeal
many competitors traveled from around the globe and all over
the UK to attend and enjoy the fun, games and very special
party atmosphere. A massive thanks goes out to all of our
sponsors and especially the RAF, Wightlink, Isle of Wight
Council, Corona, Monster and Trampa, Sydenhams, ITS and to
everyone who joined us this year at White Air 08.