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Jamskating Phenomenon Hits UK Shores in Eastbourne A new phenomenon could be taking Eastbourne Skate Festival by storm this year, as Jamskating hits the UK shores. A new phenomenon could be taking Eastbourne Skate Festival by storm this year, as Jamskating hits the UK shores. Jamskaters, Team Riedell from Florida in the USA, are making a special trip over the Atlantic to attend the UK�s biggest free Skate Festival in Eastbourne from 24 to 25 July, sponsored by McDonald�s Restaurants Ltd. Performers Jennifer Leslie and Eric Calkins from the World�s No. 1 Professional Jamskating team will be showing the crowds their special brand of high energy breakdance moves on skates, using everything from gymnastics to pop-n-locking. Formed in 2001, the team of skaters created their own genre of Jamskating and were spotted by Riedell Skates, who backed the team along with Sure Grip, allowing them to promote Jamskating all over the World. Further members for this elite team were selected from hundreds of auditioning skaters, and the team has several national championships titles in the USA and appeared in various TV productions. Jennifer Leslie of Team Riedell said �We are very excited to be invited to attend the Eastbourne Skate Festival! Eric and I cannot wait to get over there and show what we have and also learn some new things from other skaters. It should be a weekend to remember!� Organised by Eastbourne Borough Council, Eastbourne Sk8 School and sponsored by McDonald�s Restaurants Ltd, the annual Skate Festival attracts 15,000 skaters each year on the Eastern Seafront, and it�s all free. Open to all skaters, BMX riders and skateboarders of all ages, anyone can have a go at skating for the first time with the free teaching available, or simply show off their skills in the arena. The packed programme includes a range of events in freestyle, fitness, artistic dance, speed slalom and hockey. Skaters can also join in competitions from Limbo Dancing to Tug of War on wheels, and watch top professional skaters from Europe, demonstrating their skills from speed skating to slalom. Local school children from St Andrews School will be taking on professional Basketball players on skates, while Eastbourne Borough Football Club end their most successful season ever, with their toughest match of the season, against a professional Roller Soccer team - on skates! Skaters can look forward to the return of the Saturday Night Skate around Eastbourne. Based on the popular Night Skates in Paris and London�s Hyde Park, hundreds of skaters join the 8 mile Skate route around the town at dusk, complete with flashing lights on their boots and water stations courtesy of McDonald�s. The extreme skate park will also be open both days with a professionally designed range of new ramps and grind rails alongside a music stage of live bands. Alison Purves, Senior Regional Communications Officer for McDonald�s said � We are very proud to support The Eastbourne Skate Festival, which provides a fun and contemporary forum for the whole community to get involved in an active lifestyle. Our support of this event is part of McDonald�s wider commitment to encourage children and adults to find out about the importance of a balanced and healthy diet, so that they can eat smart and be active.� Eastbourne Borough Council Spokesperson for Tourism, Councillor David Elkin said �I am delighted to see Eastbourne Skate Festival breaking new ground and bringing new skating genre�s into the UK. To attract such an elite team from the USA, shows just how important Eastbourne Skate Festival is becoming as a showcase for new talent, as well as giving youngsters and adults alike, the chance to try something new and healthy.� �My thanks go to Team Riedell for travelling all the way from Florida, so that the thousands of skating fans in Eastbourne can enjoy Jamskating for the first time." For further information on the programme of activities visit www.eastbourneskate.co.uk or telephone the Tourist Information Centre on 01323 411400. For further information on Skate lessons in Eastbourne visit www.sk8school.co.uk or for skate practice visit the weekly Wednesday evening Skate sessions at the Bandstand from 7.30pm until 9pm. |
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