Where to Ski And Snowboard - Kitesurfers raise £60K for Snow-Camp

Kitesurfers raise £60K for Snow-Camp

16th September 2013, by Abi Butcher

Sir Richard Branson leads the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada. Photo: Chris Skone-Robers

More than 300 kitesurfers set a world record yesterday, and raised £60,000 in the process for UK snowsports charity Snow-Camp, the RNLI and Virgin Unite.

The Virgin Kitesurfing Armada, of 318 kitesurfers lead by Sir Richard Branson, successfully broke the world record for the “largest parade of kitesurfers” ever assembled when they sailed a one-mile course from the beach at Hayling Island in West Sussex.

The event was created and hosted by Snow-Camp, a UK charity that works with young people through the medium of snow sports. Lead by Sir Richard Branson — who last year kitesurfed across the channel — the kitesurfers completed the one-mile course from Hayling Island before continuing on to Lancing, 46 miles further down the coast, in 20 knots of breeze on a downwinder. The achievement was witnessed and recorded by Craig Glenday, editor in chief and official adjudicator from the Guinness World Records.

Dan Charlish, director of Snow-Camp, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have set this new world record for the largest parade of kitesurfers ever. It’s been phenomenal to see the response of the kite surfing community coming together to support this first kite surfing Amada event. To be led by Sir Richard Branson was just fantastic”.

He continues; “We have raised about £60,000, which is an incredible platform to build on over the next five years. This allows us to offer the unique combination of skiing, snowboarding and life-skills programmes to support inner-city young people”.

Also kitesurfing yesterday was UK Pro kitesurfer Lewis Crathern, Steph Bridge, four times World Champion kiteboarder and currently ranked as number one woman in the world as well as Sam Light, 1st overall BKSA Pro fleet.

Participants each paid £20 to enter the event, and raised a minimum of £100 each. Watch a video of the event here.

Sir Richard said: “I’m passionate about kitesurfing and I think this was a fantastic and fun event in support of some great causes, certainly the first of its kind and incredibly positive for the sport. We are delighted to be involved and we are so happy to have set a new Guinness World Record by bringing kitesurfers together from across the UK to raise money for three fantastic charities – Virgin Unite, Snow-Camp and the RNLI”.