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 [email protected] or [email protected]
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 [email protected] or [email protected]
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