Taking place at Parley Lane, near Bournemouth Airport, from 10th to 12th September, Contender Fest is a brand-new type of festival bringing together ‘The Contender Games’. The festival combines a flotilla of fun fitness challenges with cash prizes, along with classes and training sessions, and a host of family fun and entertainment to boot.
Central to the event will be a custom-built obstacle course, suitable for everyone from age 16 upwards, with up to 40 different parts to the course, including a 20k sledge pull, wooden incline walls, Berlin walls, tunnels, monkey bars, nets, tyre obstacles, a seesaw and log flip.
This giant obstacle course will host several events such as the PX2 Team event, where two people work together to conquer the course for the chance of winning a £500, and Run 4 Your Life, an individual event where the first one over all the obstacles in the fastest time gets the £500 cash prize. Then there is the Swarm 100 when 100 people will be let loose to climb, play and overcome the obstacles across the course for an hour – a great opportunity for team building fun for businesses after many months of working from home.
The event organiser is Bournemouth businessman Des Burke, owner of Flavours cookery school. He said, “The obstacle course is going to be a real highlight – but rest assured there is no mud, no electric shocks, no water traps, and no vast distances to cover between obstacles. It’s pure fitness fun – challenging but not defeating, and something everyone can have a go at.”
Serious gym bunnies and fitness buffs won’t want to miss the Big5 challenge to complete as many reps in five tough exercises such as barbell squats and chest presses in just 60 seconds each, with the Contender who does the cleanest reps and the most across all five disciplines claiming the cash prize.
As well as the Contender Games, the event will include taster sessions and classes across 12 different fitness and wellbeing disciplines from Yoga and meditation to kickboxing and military style bootcamp fitness.
A central stage will host performances from musicians, local groups and theatre schools throughout the day, while DJs will get the after party going on the Friday and Saturday evenings.
Visitors can get kitted out with gym equipment and clothing at fitness-related trade stands, while a host of food traders will be offering up exotic street food, gourmet treats, award-winning local produce as well as three speciality bars – plenty to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
There will also be a Craft Village showcasing artisan crafts along with live demonstrations and workshops. Children will love the mini-obstacle course, rides, fairground, face painting, entertainers and Wessex vintage Fire trucks - all of it set across a generous festival ground in this unique, picturesque setting.
Added Des, “You can come along and be a contender – and then spend the day soaking up the atmosphere, eating great food, watching performances, trying out a host of activities and workshops, exploring the craft village, and enjoying the rides and entertainment too. This festival has something for everyone, from super fit competitors to fitness novices looking to try something new. It’s about keeping active and having fun together, with friends, co-workers, or the family. It's exactly what we all need after so many months spent at home.”
Tickets are on sale now starting from £8 or £3.50 for children, with under 5s going free, and big discounts for NHS staff. Book before July 4 to take advantage of the Early Bird offers.
Visit https://contenderfest.co.uk/ for more information and to buy tickets.
