Around 60 skateboarders and BMX riders came to Sk8side last Sunday afternoon, 20 July, 2008, to take part in the Active Ashford Urban Sports Collective Event.

There was a crowd of about 200 people, a mixture of young people and families, who came to admire the stunts and tricks on display.

There were also coaching sessions on offer for younger skaters and BMX riders with around 20 under-eights taking part.

All of the participants received a certificate signed by Harry Lintell from the Ashford Skate Park Foundation.

Revolution, a skate park, surfing and climbing centre based in Broadstairs, are running the Urban Sports Collective Competitions and this was the first of several events happening throughout July and August.

Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust funded the event with event management and organisation dealt with by Ashford Skate Park Foundation, Kent Youth Service and Ashford Borough Council.

Kent County Council Sk8side Youth Worker, Simon Woods, said: “An event like this raises the profile of alternative sports and also to the facilities we have in this area.”

Harry Lintell, from the Ashford Skate Park Foundation, said: “Our foundation is made up of a group of young people who are passionate about alternative sports. This event has been a success because of the involvement of young people from Sk8side and the interaction with all of the agencies involved.

"The Foundation would like to give a special thanks to Simon Harris, from Ashford Borough Council, and Simon Woods, without whom this would not have been possible.”

Serap Osman, from the Eastern Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people in Ashford to have fun and be active outdoors.”

In 2007 the Ashford Skate Park Foundation worked tirelessly to secure funding to deliver the £100k refurbishment programme for Sk8side, with support from the Youth Capital Fund and Ashford Borough Council.

The result was an improved youth facility, which is believed to be the largest of its kind in the South East and breaking new boundaries in skate park design.

Media Release 0194/08

22/07/2008