Kitesurfers prepare to take to the water.
Sir Richard Branson joins the 318 strong Virgin Kitesurfing Armada off the coast of Hayling Island in Hampshire as they attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Parade of Kitesurfers ever assembled. The Virgin Kitesurfing Armada, is raising money for a number of charities including Virgin Unite, Snow-Camp and the RNLI.
PRESS RELEASE:
Sir Richard Branson and The Virgin Kitesurf Armada of over 300 kitesurfers are attempting to break a World Record for the largest number of kitesurfers to complete a one-mile course and raise money for a collection of charities: Virgin Unite, Snow-Camp and The RNLI. The Armada will set off from Hayling Island beach near Portsmouth. Post the one-mile record-breaking mark most of the participants will then kitesurf further down the coast on a 46 mile journey towards Lancing, stopping off at Pagham and Littlehampton until the Kitesurf ArmadaÕs official finish line in Lancing.
Sir Richard Branson, who in 2012 achieved the Guinness World Record for the oldest person to cross the English Channel, is hoping to add another record to his eclectic collection. Sir Richard is kitesurfing alongside his family, Sam Branson, Holly Branson, his son-in-law Freddie Andrewes and the full 250-strong Armada team. Sam Branson was also with Sir Richard in July 2012 breaking kitesurf records of his own when he smashed the Guinness World Record for the fastest kitesurf across the English Channel.

Others in the Virgin team include four-time kite race world champion Steph Bridge, the current menÕs kite race European Champion and youth world champion, Olly Bridge, four-time British kite champion Lewis Crathern and other members of the Branson family who will be participating in the event. All will be available for interviews and photo opportunities on Hayling Island Beach.
All donations for the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada will go to three fantastic charities Ð Virgin Unite, Snow-Camp and the RNLI. The Virgin Kitesurfing Armada marks the beginning of a five year partnership with Virgin and the youth charity Snow Camp Ð an innovative charity that uses a unique combination of skiing, snowboarding and life-skills programmes to support inner-city young people.

Ahead of the event, Sir Richard said, ÔIÕm passionate about kite surfing and I think this is going to be a fantastic and fun event in support of some great causes, certainly the first of its kind and incredibly positive for the sport.Õ
Dan Charlish, the Director of Snow-Camp, hopes that every year the Virgin sponsored events will grow in size to eventually become a weekend long kitesurfing festival. Charlish said ÔTo have the support of a global brand like Virgin is truly amazing and hugely positive for the event and the charities we are trying to support.Õ

To find out more about the event please visit: http://www.virgin.com/lifestyle/news/the-virgin-kitesurfing-armada

To find out more about the event or make a donation please visit: www.kitesurfingarmada.com
WORLD-RECORD FAST FACTS:
In 2012 Sir Richard Branson set a new Guinness World Record for the oldest person to kitesurf across the English Channel from Dymchurch, Kent, to Wimereux in northern France in three hours, 45 minutes.
Sam Branson broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest kitesurf across the English Channel in July 2012.
In 1986 Sir Richard and the Virgin Atlantic Challenger II crew broke the Blue Riband record for the fastest crossing of the North Atlantic.
1987, Sir Richard set the record for the first hot air balloon to cross the Atlantic.
In 1991, Sir Richard was in the first balloon to cross the Pacific from Japan to Arctic Canada.
From 1995 to 1998, Sir Richard, Per Lindstrand and Steve Fossett made attempts to circumnavigate the globe by balloon.
In 2007 Sir Richard along with his children Holly and Sam, attempted to break the record for the fastest mono-hull sailing yacht across the Atlantic on the yacht, Virgin Money.
In September 2013, Virgin Galactic broke the record for the flight of the highest commercial aircraft with its spacecraft Spaceship Two achieving 67,000 feet.