(Picture thanks to: Chris Skone-Roberts)
Sir Richard Branson, not one to stay on the side lines, decided it was time to set another world record yesterday. He was in the water at the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada, a more than suitable event name considering he joined 317 other kitesurfers as they attempted, successfully, to break the world record for the 'Largest Parade of kitesurfers' ever assembled.
318 participants left Hayling Island beach and completed the one mile course. Sir Richard himself,f the oldest person to have crossed the channel by kitesurf, is no stranger to the sport. The event was created and hosted by Snow-Camp (snow-camp.org.uk) a UK charity working with young people through the medium of snow sports, and raised money for them along with Virgin Unite and the RNLI.
Participants, who each paid £20 to enter the event and each raised a minimum of £100 towards the cause, were required to complete a one-mile course in order to break the record which was witnessed by Craig Glenday, official adjudicator from the Guinness World Records.
"I'm passionate about kite surfing and I think this was a fantastic and fun event in support of some great causes, certainly the first of its kind and incredibly positive for the sport," said Sir Richard.
"We are absolutely delighted to have set this new world record," said Dan Charlish, Director of Snow-Camp, "We have raised about £60,000, which is an incredible platform to build on over the next five years."