We are a group of six students from the University of Southampton and are all past members of the kitesurf club committee. Since we are all graduating this year we felt it would be nice to do something to celebrate the occassion. To that end we have decided to attempt to circumnavigate the Isle of Wight attached to our kites!
We have a number of windows of opportunity, the first being the 6th,7th or 8th of June although the attempt will only be on one of the days and will depend on the wind. We need a solid 20 knots to make the attempt viable, otherwise it will be postponed until a little later in the summer, but rest assured we will be trying it at some point!
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.
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.
It should be great fun but also a huge challenge, battling the elements on top of cramping muscles and exhaustion!
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!
SUKS love xx
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