The ION Man and North One Hour Classic are set to make a return for the 2010 Eastbourne Extreme…

Kick off the summer holidays with an adventure filled weekend on Eastbourne seafront as the south coast’s coolest, fastest and most intense free sports festival returns with a vengeance next month.

Eastbourne Extreme takes place from 17-18 July and promises an action-packed line up for 2010 with an all new UK Battle Slalom Competition.

This year, Eastbourne will host one of the four UK official slalom championship events, with the top freestyle slalom skaters from across the UK and Europe invited to battle it out with their tricks and stunts in the country’s sunniest resort.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure, Cllr Neil Stanley said “Eastbourne Extreme promises a really exciting start to the summer holidays in Eastbourne, with the event getting bigger and bigger every year. We are really pleased to be adding to the displays on offer in 2010, with the slalom battle adding a competitive element that we really hope will entertain visitors. Combined with plenty of splashes on the Eastbourne shores from windsurfers, powerboaters and more, the brand new skate park, which is now open with unique ramps and half pipes, and zorbing offering visitors the chance to get in on the action too, the event promises a bumper weekend this July.”

Visitors can look forward to a packed two days filled with outdoor pursuits on land, water and in the air. From the Urban Shadows dazzling visitors with their daredevil parkour displays to the Animal Relentless Bike Tour performing wheelies, jumps and stunts in their purpose built arena.

The Surfkraft Ion Man contest organised by champion windsurfer Nik Baker, plus the North One Hour Classic, both return for 2010 with some of the country’s top windsurfers testing their mettle on the Eastbourne waves, while the jet skiers make a splash to entertain the crowds!

Visitors can get a taste for an extreme experience of their own too with time on Eastbourne’s shores as Spray Watersports offer sessions in windsurfing and sailing. Or how about taking in a 360 degree view of the UK’s sunniest place with zorbing in Princes Park?

For those who are happier on four wheels, visitors can pull on their rollerblades and join in with Eastbourne Skate Association for skate basketball, the popular Redoubt disco and hockey demonstrations.

Also this year Eastbourne Sk8 School will be providing skating displays at the Cage at Fisherman’s Green including the brand new Roller Derby, while Ride N Joy at Fisherman’s Green are offering families the chance to hire quadricycles and ride along the promenade all the way to Sovereign Harbour.

With refreshment stalls lining the seafront, live music on the Extreme stage in a Battle of the Bands competition final, and children’s rides at Fort Fun, Extreme offers plenty of opportunities for visitors to stop off and soak in the festival atmosphere.

And for those who prefer to leave the action to the experts, then Extreme really is the perfect event to kick back and chill out at. The VW Bus Stop Tour is back for the second year in 2010 as colourful VW Camper Vans line the promenade on Sunday bringing an authentic surfer’s paradise to Eastbourne beach!

Visitors should put 17-18 July in their diaries and head for Eastbourne seafront, home to an action-packed weekend!

Trade spaces are still available for exhibitors at Eastbourne Extreme, offering the chance to reach tens of thousands of visitors over the two day event. For more information contact the Events team on 01323 415442.

For more information on what to look forward to at Extreme 2010 visit www.eastbourneextreme.co.uk , telephone 0871 663 0031 or follow VisitEastbourne on Facebook & Twitter – just search for ‘VisitEastbourne’.