Worthing kitesurfing champion attempts to beat world record

Lewis Crathern, Worthing's very own British Kitesurfing champion, is planning to add another title to his list: a Guinness World Record.
Virgin Kitesurfing Armada in Hayling Island, pictured in 2014. Picture: Ocean ImagesVirgin Kitesurfing Armada in Hayling Island, pictured in 2014. Picture: Ocean Images
Virgin Kitesurfing Armada in Hayling Island, pictured in 2014. Picture: Ocean Images

Lewis will be taking part in this weekend’s Virgin Kitesurfing Armada Festival at Hayling Island, where he will be joining up to 500 other Kitesurfers as they attempt to beat the Guinness World Record for the largest parade of kitesurfers over a one-mile course.

He said: “The festival this weekend offers something for everyone, with parties, talks, expert clinics, a family day, taster sessions and of course the Guinness World Records attempt.

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“This is our chance to take the title back from the South Africans and it will be an amazing spectacle.”

The South African Virgin Kitesurfing Armada, with a total of 415 kiters, currently holds the record which was set in Cape Town earlier this year.

The festival is the biggest kitesurfing event in the UK. Dan Charlish from the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada said: “The festival is now in its fourth year and it’s fantastic to see the event going from strength to strength – kitesurfers and festival-goers love coming to Hayling. It’s a beautiful island, has great kitesurfing conditions and most importantly a great community.”

The Virgin Kitesurfing Armada Festival opens at 11am tomorrow. In the afternoon Lewis will give a talk about kitesurfing, wind energy and general health and fitness to around 250 Year 6 and 7 pupils from schools in the area.

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Lewis is most famous for jumping both Brighton and Worthing piers. He is now back on his feet after a kitesurfing accident earlier this year, which led to him being put in a medically-induced coma.

Virgin founder and kitesurfing enthusiast Sir Richard Branson said: “I am absolutely delighted to see the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada continuing to go from strength-to-strength. This year it’s all set to be a fantastic weekend on Hayling Island, encapsulating that summer festival spirit with live music, camping, exhibitions and great food, while raising funds for some fantastic causes, including Virgin Unite and the Armada Trust.”

If you would like to take part in the Guinness World Records attempt you can register here.

All Armada events raise funds for local youth and rescue charities through the Armada Trust, with more than £160,000 raised for good causes to date.

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