White Air Extreme Sports

Fantastic coastal conditions have always attracted hordes of surfers to the Isle of Wight, but it’s the White Air competition, now in its 12th year, that has really buried the island’s sleepy seaside image and rebranded it as an adrenalin seeker’s watery paradise. White Air is a blast for all adventurers and outdoors lovers, and its expansion to include a host of land sports – from mountain boarding to parkour – has seen its following swell in recent years. Though some of the best athletes in the business do go head-to-head here, White Air is more a celebration than a white-knuckle competition, with all-inclusive events such as the World Frisbee Freestyle Challenge. It is famed for its friendly atmosphere, competitors and spectators alike getting their kicks from the death-defying stunts, state-of-the-art equipment, and all-night parties – so there’s just as much fun to be had if you’d rather experience the joys of extreme sportiness from the safety of a deckchair.

Highlights

You’ll pump adrenalin just by watching the surf kayak racing; and perhaps you could relive your suburban youth on the skate ramps. As for the raucous White Air Saturday night party, it has folk reminiscing for months.

White Air Extreme Sports Highlight Image

In The Know

Head Count

Up to 10,000 a day, with 5,000 at the main village and about the same again on the beach.

Meeting Point

The information marquee is easy to find.

Best View

You can't beat the beach. There are great views from anywhere along the main drag.

Packing Tips

This is not the place you’ll be needing your designer duds. Beginners can rent most of the equipment they need at the event.

Escape

Check out the breathtaking view from the chairlift at Needles Park in Alum Bay.

Dos and don'ts

• Pay up and dive in – surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing are all available to novices. Age is no excuse!
• But don’t think that donning baggy jeans and back-to-front baseball cap will help you fit in with ’the kids’. It won’t.
• If you’re just not feeling surf-ready, try your hand at urban art in one of the graffiti workshops.
• Embrace the spirit and opt for ‘Sign me up, Dude’ on White Air’s website – you’ll be the first to know about new events, dates and special activities.

Need To Know

Children

This is a great event for the young, with 14 sports to try out, as well as magicians and musicians.

Parking

Try the Isle of Wight Zoo, opposite the beach, and there’s a council car park further along the seafront.

Disability Access

Excellent, in all areas.

Food & Drink

The more glamorous competitors and spectators often retire to the Rex Piano Bar on Ventnor Marina (01983 853355; www.rexpianobar.co.uk), or dine at the Hambrough restaurant (01983 856333; www.thehambrough.com), headed up by chef Simon McKenzie, who used to work with Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White. The Michelin-starred George Hotel restaurant (01983 760331; www.thegeorge.co.uk) is a favourite among well-heeled locals, and even Madonna and Guy Ritchie had trouble getting a table at the very popular Boathouse Café (01983 852747) in Steephill Cove.

Sleep

The Hambrough (01983 856333; www.thehambrough.com) in Ventnor is a stylish choice, a 15-minute drive away from all the action at Sandown. With Vintage Vacations, former fashion stylist Helen Carey has set up a retro caravan park, complete with American silver Airstream trailers from the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies. You’ll pay £150 for the weekend, and it’s a 10-minute drive from Newport (07802 758113; www.vintagevacations.co.uk). For more hotels, go to www.mrandmrssmith.com, or ring ring 0845 034 0701.

VIP

Well, a VIP tent does exist, but it’s invite only, so you won't get in unless you’re an award-winning surfer or a particularly accomplished sweet-talker.