GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ breaking weekend on Hayling Island at the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada 2014.
The Virgin Kitesurfing Armada Festival came to a successful end on Sunday evening after a fantastic weekend of Kitesurfing, SUP boarding, fundraising and record breaking. On Saturday, the Armada surpassed last year’s total participant numbers with 344 kitesurfers participating, which is so positive for the sport within the UK. Then on Sunday a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title was set for the Largest parade of paddle boarders with 256 paddle boarders travelling down a similar course on CBK beach, Hayling Island. An official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS adjudicator was on hand to approve the record.
The Kitesurfing Armada was an event for all, attracting world champions, pro-kitesurfers, a double Olympic medallist and novice kitesurfers, with ages ranging from as young as 11 years through to 73 years. The CBK beach was awash with spectators to support the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title attempt.
Director of the Kitesurfing Armada Dan Charlish said, ‘It has been a truly remarkable weekend, where once again we have been overwhelmed by the positivity and enthusiasm of everyone who got involved. Despite a challenging wind forecast hundreds of kitesurfers came to support the event. They were rewarded with wind on Saturday afternoon and the chance to create the Armada, which looked amazing as hundreds of kites filled the sky as the kitesurfers left CBK beach.’
The event has grown significantly since its launch last year, becoming a weekend festival which included live music, a big screen, local and international kite brands exhibiting gear and talks from kite pros and industry experts. Sir Richard Branson, whose company Virgin are title sponsors, sent a message of support to all the kitesurfers which was beamed onto the big screen during the after party. Sir Branson said, “As a keen kitesurfer, I am fully behind the Kitesurfing Armada, at Virgin we are trying to support Kitesurfing in a range of ways and there are big plans for the future. I am sure the Kitesurfing Armada will be a big part of these plans and it will go from strength to strength over the coming years.”
Dan Charlish said “It’s fantastic to have the support of Virgin, and many other sponsors including Volvo, Best Kiteboarding, Mystic and the local council without whom the event simply couldn’t happen. They provide support in a range of ways and enable us to cover the costs to run the festival – so we can ensure every penny raised on the water goes to charity. This year it looks like we have raised over £45,000 for our 3 charities Virgin Unite, the RNLI and youth charity Snow-Camp - which is a great achievement from everyone concerned.
Lewis Crathern, Pro Kitesurfer, Brighton Pier Jumper and event ambassador said, “Kitesurfing needs an event like this and I am very proud to be part of it.”
To watch the video highlights of the event and world record attempt visit: http://youtu.be/6PjJIr8dpDA
To find out more about the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada and community visit:
www.kitesurfingarmada.com or www.facebook.com/kitesurfingarmada
If you would like high resolution images and more information on the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada ambassadors, or to hear more from the oldest and youngest participants and other highlights of the weekend contact Vicky Norman at Heaven Publicity: Vicky@heavenpublicity.co.uk / 07717 467157
Vicky Norman
Heaven Publicity Ltd
Mobile: 44 (0)7917 446604
vicky@heavenpublicity.co.uk | www.heavenpublicity.co.uk
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Snow-Camp is an innovative youth charity that uses a unique combination of skiing, snowboarding and life-skills programmes to support inner-city young people.Through the combination of snowsports and life-skills, their programmes enable young people to grow in confidence and self-esteem, develop as individuals and make positive choices for their lives. Snow-Camp programmes also enable young people to reflect on the key issues impacting their day to day lives, and help them develop new skills to support their futures – particularly towards careers in the snowsport industry.
Snow-Camp has grown steadily from 2003 and now works with at least 400 young people each year across 12 London Boroughs. Their vision is to expand Snow-Camp to other cities across the UK and bring the success of our approach to benefit many more inner-city young people.
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