Leading music and action sports festival, Wheels and Fins, its excited to announce the return of the UK Mini Ramp Champs, which is now endorsed by Skateboard England, at its 2019 event on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September at Joss Bay in Broadstairs (Nr Margate) Kent.
Now entering its 7th year, Wheels and Fins is the hidden gem of the UK festival calendar. Just 90 minutes from central London, it mixes the very best in live and electronic music, beach-based activities, and exhilarating action sports. At very few festivals can guests sunbathe, dance, and glamp by the sea complete with breath-taking sea views, while enjoying an eclectic mix of entertainment to suit all ages and tastes.
Wheels and Fins is the only place to watch vert skating in Kent; a real treat for skateboard fans and newcomers alike. Standing at a colossal 12.5-ft-tall, the vert ramp comes from Europe’s premiere ramp design and build company, King Ramps, and will see only the top pro skateboarders compete. Invited skaters include X-Games Men’s gold medalist Sam Beckett (now Team GB), and X Games junior medalist, Sam Bosworth. The heats and final for this exciting competition will take place over the two days of Wheels and Fins.
Festival goers are also in for a treat as Team GB skaters and previous competitors at Wheels and Fins, Sam Beckett, Alex Hallford and Jordan Thackeray, have been invited to compete at Wheels and Fins.
Also taking place over two days is the Skateboard England endorsed UK Mini Ramp Champs. Around 40 pro and sponsored skaters are expected to take part in the competition which now enters its third year. They will compete in Men’s and Women’s categories for an equally split prize purse of £4,000, plus Under 16s will take part in the Junior category supported by Revolution Skatepark. Expert judging panels rating technical ability, style, and standard of tricks, are made up of Lucy Adams - Chair of Skateboard England, pro and former pro skaters, and the UK Mini Ramp Champs founder, Nic Powley.
Nic Powley, who has previously been the Vans UK skate team manager, is also the owner of local store Skate Pharm in Margate. He also sits on the board of Skateboard England and has organised countless skateboard events over the years. He comments: “The addition of the vert ramp to this year’s proceedings is a big deal. Seeing vert skating on this level in this country is rare and I'm pretty sure this is the first vert comp on this scale to ever be held in Kent. It will bring a whole new bunch of skateboarders to the festival and highlights Wheels and Fins’ dedication to supporting skateboarding as well as putting on a spectacle for the crowd”.
10,000 revellers are expected to attend Wheels and Fins Festival in 2019, not only for its fearless skateboarding competitions, but also for the quality music on offer. So far Wheels and Fins has announced that the iconic and pioneering drum & bass label, Hospital Records, will take over ‘The Bunker’ dance tent on Saturday 7th September, with a hard-hitting line up of drum & bass DJs and MCs including, S.P.Y, Kings Of The Rollers, Logistics, Nu:Tone, Etherwood, Whiney, Uncle Dugs, Inja, Dynamite MC and Degs. Whilst the live line up is still to be announced, last year’s with The Libertines, Feeder, Reverend and The Makers, and Echo and The Bunnymen, is an indication of the top-notch bill yet to come.
Wheels and Fins Festival is unlike any other music festival in the UK. From the daring action-sports shows, the sea-facing main stage, extensive beach activities such as SUP Racing and surf competitions, as well as mouth-watering street food, it truly is a destination for those seeking an alternative festival experience and exceeding good value.
Published on 19 March 2019 by Ben Robinson
