HELLO campers!  Pro kite surfers heading for the East Coast’s newest BKSA Pro Tour destination will find themselves right in the middle of a very important celebration for Skegness this year – the Centenary of its famous mascot the Jolly Fisherman.

The first 40 kite surfers to register for Skegness Kite and Xfest (July 11-13) will get a free pitch  on the North Parade car park site - and could find themselves shaking off the hangover from the pre-event Welcome Noodles Party, 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, organizers Skegness Surf and Kite Academy are working very hard to make the event the one everyone will be talking about.

Riders’ ‘Playtime’ will again start on the Thursday with a Press launch and free wakeboarding sessions at Skegness Water Leisure Park. The free noodles party that night at the Beijing Restaurant, opposite the camp site, will be open to riders, crew, Press and sponsors. Then it’s on to the Sea View Pub next door for a night of karaoke.

Energy giants Centrica will be joining in the fun having come on board as official sponsors.  Last year, Centrica supported the event by funding the event’s 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 families from all over the country.

Even at the early stages of development, the wind farms made a fantastic backdrop for pictures of last year’s action. 

Just in case riders find themselves waiting for wind – and you know it always comes in the end because Skegness is So Bracing – there will be plenty to keep everyone entertained.

 A chill-out beach party and barbecue starts the weekend’s partying on the Friday night.

Saturday is the big day for Xsite Skate Park, who will also be celebrating the opening of their new outside Plaza. Skate comps and demos from Pro-riders will take place at the park during the afternoon.

Live wrestling will take place from noon to 3pm, when the music is set to be stoked up for the Xfest08 Live and Free festival.

Mobile Act unsigned winners Envy and the Other Sins will be headlining with well known local band DJUNE. Also in the line-up are Kalenko, The Idlers, Blacklight, Mouth Wash, Liam Madison and Djune. An after show party is being held at the Square Peg and Whiskey A Go Go.

Family entertainment during Saturday will also have the X-factor, with finalist from BBC TV’s the One and Only Tara Stafford Allen as Britney headlining a line-up of tribute acts and DJs.

Competitors who swapped big air for speed at last year’s event will again get the opportunity to ride with Independent Horse, either in UK’s first horse surfing competition  or a demo spectacular on the Sunday.

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 they might like a go at the newest attraction opposite the festival site – paintballing!

A Continental Food and Craft Market will be providing the retail therapy for riders and visitors over the weekend and there will also be a beer tent on the Friday night and the Saturday.

More details will be posted on Xfest’s website on the run-up to the event. See the music festival link for more details of the event.

To contact the organisers or book a stall email skegxfest@yahoo.co.uk