The World’s top wind and kite surfers will descend upon the shores of Sandbanks for the established UK Watersports event, Animal Poole WindFest. Entering its eighth year with title sponsorship once again provided by extreme sports brand, Animal, the event runs from 15th-18th September 2005. Recognised as a prime location for watersports in the United Kingdom, Sandbanks, Poole, will host the UK Windsurfing Association (UKWA) windsurfing national freestyle and supercross championships, round 2 of the kite boarding British Tour (KBBT), and the UKWA Slalom Challenge UK windsurfing downwind slalom race. Two new windsurfing competitions are featuring in this year’s event; the Super X National Championship, where windsurfers will jump over buoys and the F2 Speed Challenge. For the first time Animal Poole Windfest will host the Thundercats International Championship Round 2 race as competitors go head to head at high speed. Whilst this year the race is on as windsurfers and kitesurfers battle it out over who can race from Kimmeridge Bay to Sandbanks the fastest, a distance of 20 land miles. For those who like their action on terra firma, there’s the new Animal Braun Cruzer 3 Bike tour.
Extreme action on water and land for Animal Poole WindFest 2005
The event showcases a variety of windsurfing and kitesurfing competitions, offering a total prize fund of £4000. Spectators will see up to 100 national competitors, both professionals and amateurs, all hungry for top positions within these prestigious titles.
Onshore activities include British Volleyball competitions, a marquee village will exhibit the latest kite and windsurfing equipment, with special 2006 previews and the showcase of the British Olympic Windsurfing Kit, throughout the four days.
As usual, night-time action is as fervent as the daytime as the social events run each night including the extravagant SAS Butterfly Ball, which will featuring a sit-down Oriental meal and live music to raise money for the charity, Surfers Against Sewage, a go-karting evening and the legendary grand-finale Animal Saturday night party to be held in a giant marquee on Sandbanks beach.
Founder of the event, Gary Willingham of FCWatersports, says, “Poole Animal WindFest is bigger and better than previous years, with top action on the water, the most talented people, best brands and legendary parties. The four-day event is designed to entertain everyone from hardcore watersports fans who get involved in the sport as well as the lifestyle, through to families who want to watch the action from the beach”.
Event Timetable
The wind strength will determine exact contest start times, please check forecast board inside the information point for latest running times.
Windsurfing competitions
Freestyle National Championships Thursday – Sunday
Super X National Championship Thursday – Sunday
UKWA Slalom racing Saturday and Sunday
F2 Speed challenge Saturday
Kitesurfing competitions
KBBT championships round 2 Friday – Sunday
Thundercat Racing
International Championship Saturday and Sunday
Beach Volleyball
British Grand Slam Saturday and Sunday
Windsurfing Kitesurf EXPO Thursday – Sunday
Animal Braun Cruzer 3 Bike Tour Thursday – Sunday
Friday Night Butterfly Ball Tickets from FC Watersports
Saturday Night Party Tickets from FC Watersports
Tasters Friday, Saturday and Sunday With FCWatersports Academy
Windsurfing – 6 people (1hour) 10am, 12am, 2pm, 4pm
Kitesurfing with Cabrinha Kites – 4 people (3 hours) 10am and 2pm
Wakeboarding – 4 people (1 hour on the boat) – (15mins each) 11am, 1pm, 3pm £5.00
Clinics with Jem Hall £5.00 Saturday and Sunday
11am Improvers/ Intermediate
2pm Intermediate/Advanced
PLUS
DJs on the beach Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in association with Fire 107.6 FM
For more information please visit www.poolewindfest.co.uk or www.animal.co.uk
