The White Stuff for great family fun

IF YOU are looking for a packed day of family events, the White Stuff Surf Relief Festival is where you should head this summer.

Organisers of the surfing and music festival, which takes place on the beach have announced a bumper timetable of activities for children and families.

A surf lifesaving tournament and pro surfing competition will combine with giant crabs, skydivers, games and activities to make the White Stuff Surf Relief Festival on Saturday, July 26 one of the best days out in the country this summer.

The action starts at 9am as some of the country's leading pro surfers take to the waves of Cornwall's Watergate Bay for the first heats of the UK Pro Surf Tour.

This is followed at 11am with the launch of Project 'Surfable' 2008 – the reason for the event itself. Instructors from a national network of surf schools will be running demonstration surfing lessons for disabled and disadvantaged children and young people.

“Now in its second year, Project 'Surfable' has already made a massive difference to the lives of many children who face some huge challenges in everyday life,” said Dave Manley, Chairman of charity Surf Relief UK.

“All the money raised at the White Stuff Surf Relief Festival will be used to fund the 'Surfable' project's programme of subsidised surfing lessons, so it will be fantastic to have all the participating surf schools from across the country together to launch the project at the event which is making it all possible.”

With the surfing events in full swing, the White Stuff Surf Relief Festival officially begins at noon.

Children will have the chance to get up close to some of the creatures from the Cornish shoreline as aquarists from the Blue Reef Aquarium bring the Rockpool Roadshow to Watergate Bay.

Lobsters, starfish and crabs native to our waters will be starring during the two 30-minute displays, which will also give parents some tips on how to make rockpooling safe and enjoyable for both their children, and the sealife they find.

In the White Stuff arena, a feast of children's activities will be led by Julia Tooley of Busy Bodies.

Newquay's Heron Centre will be running beach tennis which will be staffed by their county and national level coaches.

Mime artists will offer the mysterious and there will be a hip hop dance workshop for those who are more energetic.

There will also be face painters, a bouncy castle and the chance to learn circus skills, plus a beach volleyball demonstration and workshop.

The surf lifesavers of the future will be showing what they're made of in a special event designed for children.

Spectators will also be able to watch some of the South West's fittest men and women compete in what many consider the ultimate physical challenge: the Surf Life Saving Ironman and Diamond Lady Challenge 2008.

Meanwhile, members of the public can see what they're made of in the Taplin Challenge. This event allows people of all ages and abilities to join in and try their hand at a single leg of the Ironman Challenge. Teams of four will be drawn and individuals will compete in either a swim, ski, board or run leg depending on their ability and competence.

With surfing and Ironman champions crowned, a team of four skydivers from the Cornish Parachute Club at Perranporth will jump from the skies to launch the start of the Sunset Sessions, an evening of live music headlined by the Stereo MC's.

Food and drink will also be in plentiful supply, with some of the best Cornish produce on offer throughout the day and evening.

● Tickets are available from the Hall for Cornwall box office priced £10 (£5 for under 16s) at www.hallforcornwall.co.uk or 01872 262466.

As well as entry to the Sunset Sessions music arena, all ticket holders for the White Stuff Surf Relief Festival will receive a goody bag worth over £20.