Alderney to Poole

1st Ever Charity Kite Surf Challenge from Alderney to Poole

In September Andy Ward from Poole in Dorset will attempt to enter the record books as he kite surfs across the English Channel, 70 nautical miles across the busy shipping lane from Alderney in the Channel Islands to Poole in Dorset.  Father of three, Andy, has been kite surfing for three years, and is hoping to raise funds for the Special Boat Service Association which supports member and former members of the SBS and their families. Andy has family connection who works for the charity.
 
During the attempt Andy will be supported by full manned support boats on the water and a land-based team who will be monitoring his process at all stages.  Dave Hartwell, Manager of The Water Sports Academy, will be one of those on hand at sea, should Andy need help.  As a minimum the team will consist of a Coxswain who will pilot the rib and ultimately manage the event, a First Aider, a Camera Man and two experienced kite handlers in case of damage to the kit. 

Andy is just waiting to hear back if the Royal Marines will be available as support craft and if so they would provide the team with x 2 RIBS and Coxswains. Contingency  plans are being made if the Royal Marines are suddenly not available.
 
With a need for force five winds to complete the crossing, Andy only has a maximum window of two sets of four days this September to coincide sufficient winds, maximum daylight and the favourable tides required to complete the crossing successfully.  Andy is hoping to complete the crossing in up to eight hours.

The team will monitor the weather towards the end of August and will be looking at the first 4 day period from September 7th or from the 22nd  when the tides are best to cross and hope to identify a good force 5 westerly to allow Andy to cross in as much of a straight line as natures waters allow. The more variation on a westerly wind direction, the more tacking back and forth Andy will have to do, therefore increasing the overall distance.
 
The first of endurance runs have already started and Andy states ‘Rome was not built in a day’ and has started with some small coastal runs which were completed on April 24th and April 25th from Hengistbury Head to Sandbanks and back and forth totalling over 42 Nautical miles (video blogs of these can be found on the gallery page on kitethechannel.co.uk) Future endurance runs further out to sea will take place in May and in June a coastal run from Lyme Bay to Portland will take place.

To sponsor Andy or learn more about the challenge please visit his site

www.kitethechannel.co.uk

and click on the JustGiving.com banner if you wish to sponsor him and his team