Kitesurf the channel ?
Aug302011
In the Spring 2012, John Whiteman, Sam Lutman-Pauc and a group of kiteboarders will take on the challenge of crossing the English Channel in an attempt to achieve a new Guinness World Record for the ‘Fastest Group Crossing’.
The KC2012 is headed up by Sam Lutman-Pauc and John Whiteman. Sam has been kiting for well over 10 years, John is a novice to the sport but always up for a challenge has thrown himself fully into learning with the expert tuition and support of Jason Higgins at Finky.Inc Kite-surfing School.
When John and Sam first came to me with their idea of kiting across the channel I have to admit that I thought they had completely lost the plot. Sam is already a competent kiter and is very capable of doing the crossing but John had done no kiting whatsoever when he first came to me, a difficult challenge for a seasoned kiter at the peak of their fitness but to teach John to kite-surf in such a short space of time and get him up to a high enough standard for the crossing was verging on the insane.
You may well think that this is an almost impossible task but if you ever get the chance to meet John you will soon understand how determined and focused he is on completing the crossing and to be honest I love a challenge, over the next few months John will be posting on the Finky.Inc blog about his learning experience with Finky.Inc, you can also follow the KC2012 on Facebook.
John's first lesson with Finky.Inc
Stepping out into a cool breeze on Littlehampton beach, my nerves started to increase. It had been some time since I had flown a kite and I was fully aware of what would happen if I got a little too carried away on my first lesson?
My aim is to Kitesurf the Channel in Spring 2012 and I have chosen Jason Higgins of Finky.Inc to help me achieve this dream. The first priority in this challenge is to be able to get up and ride as this is something I have never done before.
I was part of a small group of beginners who were all quickly suited up with helmets and buoyancy aids. I felt like something that had just landed from another planet, rather than the cool boarder on the beach that I had imagined I would be. Feeling safe, in control and with a calm instructor was cool enough for me, today, though.
It didn’t take long for my nerves to disappear, as the ease at which the land kite could be flown was impressive. Keen to get into the water we inflate the kite and I chat happily with my instructor and fellow kite-surfers, flying and landing the kite was next, followed by body dragging, Our calm instructor did a sterling job with the group and my confidence built by the minute.
Having drunk only a little of the English Channel I leave the water utterly exhausted but happy knowing that I am one step closer to getting onto a board and riding.
Learning to kite-surf is just so much fun. Its one of those must do in life challenges.
