Big Spin at De La Warr

Organisers Polly Gifford (De La Warr's Head of Education) and Jodie Symonds (Head of Art at Bexhill High School) said that what many people don't realise when they see children doing turns, spins and flips is that they are practicing to perfect their skills.

Polly said: " There has been a long and somewhat fractious relationship between the young riders in the town and the community and this is a chance for the young people to show exactly what they can do. It was really important to us that we didn't just get in an outside company to organise this; it really is a community event right from the ground up."

The 'Big Spin' has been run in partnership with the De la Warr, The Source BMX shop and Bexhill High School for the past three years.

Bikes and skateboards flew through the air, twisting and turning up and down the specially constructed ramps outside the De La Warr at alarming speed.

But it's a skill that takes time and dedication (and nerves of steel!) to perfect which Polly emphasised by saying, "These kids practice for hours and hours to get the 'tricks'."

She went on to add: "Hopefully after people have seen them here today they will look at them in a more friendly light when they see them practicing on the streets in future."

Approximately 100 young enthusiasts attended the event where Polly said like all sports there is the occasional bump or bruise but amazingly nothing too serious because she said, "it is a very self regulating sport."

Along with attracting competitors to the event many young people also volunteered their time to help out with various stewarding duties.

One such volunteer, Mr Beale said that he was enjoying helping out with the Big Spin as well as riding his bike in the event he said: "I came last year and it was really good so I thought this year I may as well help out. I don't expect to win anything in the competitions but I'm enjoying having a laugh."