Virgin Kitesurfing Armada – The record attempt is on + Videos

by Virgin Kitesurfing Armada on 14 Oct 2015 This weekend over 400 kitesurfers and hundreds of spectators, are expected to descend on Hayling Island to try to reclaim the Guinness World Records™ attempt for the Largest Parade of Kitesurfers during the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada.

Due to the the forecast of north easterly winds, the organisers have made the decision to shorten the course. The kitesurfers will start the attempt at Sandy Point on the eastern tip of Hayling Island from 7.30am and ride back towards CBK Beach on the west of the southern shore.

Dan Charlish, CEO of Armada Events, organisers of the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada Festival explained; 'The north easterly wind, isn't the best direction for us but we are lucky that on Hayling we can still make this work. We have had to change the course but the record attempt is still on and we are staying positive! By adopting the new course and starting early when the tides are in our favour we have the best chance of achieving the record and making sure everyone is safe.'

'We need to wait a little longer to see whether the Saturday or the Sunday will be best for the attempt and we will make the final decision this Friday (16th October). Whatever happens we will still put on an amazing kitesurfing festival, with loads of on water activities and demonstrations and plenty to see on do on the shore.'

The spectacular mass kitesurfing record attempt will take place on either the Saturday 17th or Sunday 18th October.

The festival site is free for spectators and will open at 11am on the Friday and will feature all the best kitesurfing brands exhibiting the latest gear, talks from pro-kiters, DJ's and live music, a bar area, jumbo screen and of course lots of kitesurfing, including taster sessions and demo's on the beach in front of the festival marquees.

Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin corporation is personally involved with the project, says:

'Please do sign up to join us for this unique kite surfing festival. We will be bringing kitesurfers together from far and wide in an attempt to break the Guinness World Records™ attempt (for the Largest Parade of Kitesurfers) and raise thousands for charity. I'm really hoping to be there myself this year – so hopefully I will see you on the beach!'

Along with Record attempt the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada aims to raise funds for four charities: Virgin Unite, the RNLI, Snow Camp and Serve On, building on the £120,000 raised so far since its inception in 2013.

Dan Charlish continued: 'This is the third year we have run the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada, each year it has grown in terms of numbers of kiters, support from the kitesurfing industry and the on-shore festival activities and entertainment.

'It has become a fantastic community event with an amazing atmosphere both on and off the water. We aim to break the Guinness World Records™ title for the Largest Parade of Kitesurfers by riding a measured mile course from Sandy Point, Hayling Island, before continuing on a five mile downwind course to CBK Beach to raise money for our charities.

We set the record in 2013 with 318 riders, it was then broken by our sister event in Spain which achieved 352. We just missed out on reclaiming the record last year – so this year we are determined to take back the title.'

Lewis Crathern, Four times British Champion and International Pro Kitesurfer, hosts the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada. Lewis is well known in the kitesurfing world and achieved mainstream fame with his epic Brighton and Worthing Pier jumps in 2002.

Worthing based Lewis explains: 'The event will bring together kitesurfers and their families, the kitesurfing industry and the public for one awesome weekend, aiming to combine World Record breaking kitesurfing on the water.'

This year, we have set an ambitious target to get over 400 GPS tracked kitesurfers to ride together on a five mile mass downwinder on either the Saturday or Sunday of the festival – this will be my third year taking part and I can't wait to do it again!'

See a video message from Richard here:



See a video message from Lewis here:



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