EXTREME sports enthusiasts from across Swindon and beyond will descend on the town’s only indoor skate park next month for the second annual Urban Rider Games.

The event, on Friday, April 8, is hosted and organised by the team at the ATBShop Skate Warehouse and Skatepark on the Hawksworth Trading Estate, not far from the town centre.

It will see scooter riders, BMXers and skateboarders of all ages compete across seven categories in front of industry judges for the chance to be crowned Ultimate Urban Rider 2016.

Owner of ATBShop, Diana Kirk, said: “Last year was massive, across the day we had about 400 people come along and 100 competing - we’re expecting to have at least that again this year which is great.

“There will be different categories during the day for different ages and levels.

“We’ve had some people already register from the other side of Wales, a load from Gloucester, people are really passionate about it.”

In addition to the categories that were so popular last year, this year’s competition will also see a first for the scooter riding community.

Until now, there has never been a girls-only category for scooting in a UK competition and the team at ATBShop are really excited to be the first in the country to give girls that opportunity.

While the Games themselves are about the stunts, the tricks and the adrenaline-fuelled rivalries, the original idea came about for very different reasons.

When plans for the redevelopment of the Oasis threatened the future of the free outdoor skate park and BMX tracks next door, Diana decided to take some action.

She said: “The first lot of plans had the skate park and BMX track being built over and in the second lot of plans they just vanish.

“People might ask why, when our skate park is so close to that one, we would want to save it – but it’s not about that.

“There are really talented kids who use that park daily and not all of them can afford to scoot or skate here on a regular basis.

“We put this event on to say look, this is what Swindon has to offer, this is what these talented kids can do – they’re the ones who use those facilities.”

The Games have had great support from a number of industry brands and the prize list is growing by the day with over £2,000 worth of skateboard decks, scooter decks, trainers, clothing and accessories up for grabs.

Domino’s Pizza have come on board to back the event this year and will hopefully be on site with pizzas at the ready for the big day.

For those who prefer a healthier option there will be smoothie bikes packed with ingredients donated by Morrisons at Regent Circus.

It costs £10 to enter a category in the competition but anyone entering before this weekend will also get a free t-shirt worth £15.

Entry information and much more can be found at www.atbshop.co.uk/UrbanRiderGames