UK – 2 revolutionary extreme sports centres are in the concept stage, to be built in Ipswich (Suffolk) and fashionable East London. Water-sports enthusiasts will be able to use an indoor surf centre, white-water course, canyoning centre and become PADI qualified. There will also be a climbing centre, high-rope system, caving system and ice climbing. Oh, of course, an extreme sports centre has to have a snow-room for children as well as the standard skate, bmx and mountain-bike facilities… more to come. CHINA – once in its own niche world action sports companies and properties have been exporting their lifestyle sports internationally for years, but lately their efforts have adopted a laserlike focus on China. This year alone, AST, X Games and Action Sports Association will host events there, and brands such as Quiksilver and Burton will do new programs in the market. DC Shoes, Oakley, Nike and Adidas skateboarding are all following suit, and Volcom and Vans are rumored to be on their way. This push has created one of the fastest-growing and promising markets for action sports in the world, driven by the rare convergence of company promotions, events and government interest that is combining to raise public awareness of action sports across China. The Chinese government began warming to action sports in 2004 when it created the Chinese Extreme Sports Association. A year later, the government completed the world’s largest skatepark in Shanghai at a reported cost of $12M, proof of the resources the government is willing to invest in action sports. Today, the Extreme Sports Association holds three local contests, which are drawing bigger & bigger crowds. The government’s interest in action sports is driven partly by its desire for Olympic success in snowboarding and BMX. But also it sees the sports as healthy alternatives to video and computer games and as a way to cultivate innovation. US – A couple of weekends ago riders from around the world competed in the third JoMoPro 2008 BMX stunt bike sporting event over the weekend at the Autumn Ramp Park in Joplin, MO. The three-day competition featured riders in the categories of intermediate, expert and pros, as well as a competition for the best trick. This year’s competition had more than 50 professional motocross riders in addition to a number of amateurs. Zack Warden, originally from St. Louis, was back to defend his 2007 title in the professional division, and other professionals came from as far away as Australia and England, with sponsors such as Red Bull and Nike. OLYMPICS 2012 – the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games has confirmed the venue for the canoe/kayak slalom events during London 2012. The events will be held at the Showground in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, which will be developed to become the White Water Canoe Centre. The site was chosen following the discovery of contamination at the original Spitalbrook site last October. The venue change has been approved by the International Canoe Federation, the International Olympic Committee and the British Olympic Association. Surfing
FRANCE – Romain Laulhe (Anglet, FRA) won the 4-Star rated Vendee Surf Pro 1.2 – 1.5 m waves today (20.4.08), his maiden ASP World Qualifying Series crown. Laulhe, defeated Luke Campbell (AUS) in a 30-minute man-on-man final, controlled the battle with power surfing and flying maneuvers to clinch the crown. Laulhe, 23, former top ASP Europe Junior surfer, goes first on the ASP European Pro Surf Tour ratings before the ASP WQS 6-Star Prime event in Scotland. FRANCE – Orange presents the Oxbow WLT, the first event of two on the 2008 ASP World Longboard Tour (WLT) will be at Anglet, France, 5-11 May. Featuring the world’s Top 45 longboarders plus three wildcards, the Oxbow WLT will be held at the beachbreak of Les Cavaliers, on the South West coast of France for the second year in a row. Reigning ASP World Longboard and defending Oxbow WLT champion Phil Razjman (BRA) will be among the competing surfers.