ix experienced members of Southampton University Kitesurfing Society aim to be the first group of kitesurfers to circumnavigate the Isle of Wight.

Zac Andrews, Ali Barrett, James Calver, Matt Desmond, Alex Parker and Ali Shepherd are all experienced kitesurfers, and have a total of 30 years kiting experience behind them. They have all served on the committee of SUKS for two or more years, apart from Ali B; although he's competed on the BKSA tour a few times so we'll let him off.

We aim to attempt the route within two windows of opportunity; from the 6th-8th and 22nd-30th of June. The requirements for the trip are simple. A solid 20+ knot S-SW breeze which is set to last all day, and either a low, or high tide at around 8am. 

We are attempting to raise £1,000 for Surfers against Sewage in the process of completing the circumnavigation, and have chose this organisation for a number of reasons. We share SAS's views on beach cleanliness and support their actions to clean up Britain's beaches. 

http://www.justgiving.com/SUKS/

Why should you donate to SAS? 

Well if you're reading this, then there's a large chance that you're involved in a watersport. There's also a large chance that you pursue that sport on one of the UK's beaches. There's a high probability that SAS have made efforts to keep that beach clean over the past few years and are still making efforts to do so. Without the help of fundraising through activities such as this, SAS would not have the resources to continue making sure that our beaches are clean enough to enjoy taking part in the sports that we love.

http://www.justgiving.com/SUKS/

So what's so hard about kitesurfing around the Isle of Wight? Why should that warrant a donation?!

The circumference of the Isle of Wight is around 60-65 miles. If you take into account the distance travelled offshore, the fact that we're leaving and arriving at Calshot, and the distance covered by tacking upwind, then the realistic distance to be travelled stands at around 85-90 miles. That's like driving from Southampton to London, or crossing the channel just over four times. On something the size of a small door, powered by a kite. Taking into account tides, and the odd wind shift, the route should take around 7-9 hours non stop. Each rider will be completing the whole distance; there will be no relays or tag teams.

http://www.justgiving.com/SUKS/

We would like to extend a special thanks to the sponsors of the event; Southampton University, Flexifoil and Mystic. The watersports department at the university are providing safety cover for the event in the form of two ribs, and Mystic are providing the safety accessories required for a challenge of this calibre. Finally, Flexifoil are very kindly subsidising the safety boat fuel costs and are donating a full quiver of kites to each rider for the event. Without all of these guys, there would be no event!

If you think that our cause is worthy enough, and that the challenge is difficult enough, then head to http://www.justgiving.com/SUKS/ to donate. It doesn't need to be a lot; it all counts.

To view SAS's website, just click your way here: http://www.sas.org.uk/

If you have any enquiries about this challenge, please email alexparker89@hotmail.co.uk or ali@alibarrett.co.uk

The weekend just gone was the first round of the British champs for the 2011 season. I cruised up on the thursday night in the hope that the friday would be windy for the pros to run.  After a long drive and a brief sleep, nd morning and registration rolled around. It was good to catch up with all the other guys who had been abroad over the winter and also to meet up with Ian Edmondson, chief photographer from Expix who have just started sponsoring me. 
The wind was light and offshore but due to build throughout the day. Unfortunatly it didnt build enough, and just teased the whole day. Some of the courseracers managed to get going on their large boards and 18m kites, but when i tried on my 12m RPM and twintip,, it just wasnt to be.
Instead of wasting the whole day, I went off with Ian and fellow Expix rider Hannah Whiteley to do some lifestyle shots, and also some video reports for www.expix.co.uk before coming back for a chilled out BBQ on the beach. We managed to get some awesom shots in the sun set infront of the massive power stations in the area.
Saturday was alot busier with all the ams and land guys joining us. Again we thought the wind was going to build throughout the day with a promising breeze in the morning. Everybody set up their kites and it was great to see so many kites on the beach. The Juniors and Ams were set to ride first, so i headed to the judging tower to do the judging with Richie Flindal and JP. After a frustrating day of trying, the wind jus didnt fill in so the competition was called of for the day being as their was a better forcast for sunday.
Sunday rolled around, and there was a strong breaze but still bang offshore. We started by running the juniors, with the plan on doing the Youths, Ams, and then Pros at the end of the day. The wind ended up being too up and down though. During the course of a 7 min heat, the wind would go from 5-10knts, right up to 30-35knts. It was deemed too dangerous and unreliable wind, so unfortunatly the competition was officially called off. 
Not the best start wind wise to the competition season, but hopefully all the other events will get wind.

Thankfully though the event wasnt a complete waste of time. The photos taken by Expix are awesom, and we have some great plans in the pipeline for the rest of the year. They will be helping me out with the PR side of my riding, so hopefully more people will see me, Expix and my riding which im really stoked with.

Also a massive thanks to Southampton Solent Uni for supporting me for the event and Loaning me a nice new Renault Traffic van. It really made the journey up there a pleasure. Cheers