Beachfest, arrives on Sandbanks, Poole's award winning beach, for 10 days of exciting sports and music events from Friday 9^th July.

Beachfest joins up three existing events, all currently hosted at Sandbanks: The British Beach Polo Championships, FOCUS Football and the Sandbanks Beach Volleyball Festival.

Cllr Peter Adams, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure said: "We're delighted to see the three beach events going from strength to strength.  This year, the extended programme links the two weekends and we'd like to encourage everyone to come and take part in the events, the majority of which are free.  Events are an important part of developing Poole's economy as well as promoting Poole as a desirable location."

The programme for the week includes:

British Beach Polo Championships:  Friday 9th and Saturday 10th July from 12pm.  Six polo teams, with world class players, will be battling it out to be crowned champions.  This year sees the introduction of camel polo, popular in the Middle East and Asia; and the first time camel polo will be played in Europe.  Beach parties will also be held on Friday and Saturday nights.  Tickets from www.sandpolo.com

FOCUS Football:  Sunday 11th July 10am until 3pm.  Come and cheer on the FOCUS teams, made up of boys and girls from 13-19 years, as they compete for the prestigious Beach Tournament Cup.  You can also take part in the free activities including Ultimate Frisbee, Street Dance, DJ workshops, Combat Sport tasters, Street Soccer, Volleyball, Drumming workshops and Sand Sculptures.

Lewis Manning Charity Day:  Monday 12th July from 3.30pm. 

• Family fun and games will be provided by LA Fitness from 3.30 - 5.30pm. Everyone is welcome and entry is by donation for the Lewis Manning hospice.
• Come and give your support to the local business teams as they attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for Sandcastle building, from 6 - 7pm.
• Beach BBQ in conjunction with Dorset Business from 7.30 - 11.00pm. Tickets are being sold in aid of Lewis Manning Hospice for £20 per person. This includes a BBQ supper, drink and live music, a steel band and laid back beach music with live bongos! Ticket line - 01202 701000.

The mature person's beach day with Poole University of the Third Age:  Tuesday 13th July. 
The University of the Third Age, a registered charity, is hosting this day and welcomes all mature people to come down and see the breadth of courses they run. Their members will be out in force showcasing their work and newly learned skills in the marquee and arena.  There'll also be a number of have-a-go activities for anyone interesting in trying something new.  

Hamworthy Outdoor Education Centre, who run sailing, kayaking and climbing courses, will also be on site with their climbing wall from 10am til 2pm (which is a pay-as-you-go activity).  A chance to enjoy the heady heights of Sandbanks, for the first time!

Schools beach football, rugby and volleyball sessions: Wed 14th, Thurs 15th and Fri 16th respectively from 12.30-2.30pm. 
Poole School Sports Partnership are working with all Poole Schools to create more sporting opportunities.  Local schools are being given the opportunity to use the arena to help generate interest in sports and activities for pupils of varying ages.

Rugby Festival: Wednesday 14th July and Thursday 15th July from 5.30 - 8.30pm. 
Come along and enjoy the spectacle of this fun tag rugby tournament, hosted by Wimborne Rugby Club.  Members of Wimborne, Lytchett, Swanage/Wareham and Bournemouth Rugby Clubs will compete for fun whilst raising money for Help the Heroes charity.

• Wednesday's fun tournament is for the Under 13/14s and 15/16s
• Thursday's fun tournament is for the Under 9/10s and 11/12s

Sandbanks Volleyball Festival:  Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th July
Experience the thrill of competition amongst some of the UK's finest beach volleyball players who'll be vying to improve their rankings on the world stage. 

Sandbanks will also be hosting, for the 5th year in succession, the British Junior Beach Championships, showcasing our up-and-coming players. The whole event is free, including entrance to the 150 seated grandstand.

Smoothtrax FM Music Festival: Sat 17th and Sun 18th July from 6pm
Smooth Jazz is a musical genre.  Developed in the eighties, it's a fusion of jazz, funk and R&B, played by the finest musicans.  Tickets available from www.smoothtrax.com