The Virgin Kitesurfing Armada is a unique event – and we are hoping to bring together as many kitesurfers as possible to do two things:

a)      Break our own World Record for the ‘Largest Parade of Kitesurfers’ ever over 1 mile at Hayling Island.

b)      Attempt a fundraising downwinder from Hayling Island to Pagham

A panel of highly experienced kitesurfers and water safety experts has been put together to guide the safety plans for the event.

Detailed safety plans will be circulated to all participants before the event, but the basic idea will be to use a Buddy System where you and 2 buddies kite together at all times, with safety boat support along the way. Marshalls at the start point on the beach will signal kiters, in order, to get kites in the air and get onto the course. (See FAQ on Buddy System for more details)

Rash vests and wristbands with individual numbers will be provided on the day to ensure everyone is visible and officially registered for the event.

The World Record

In order to break our own World Record we need more than 318 kitesurfers to participate in the event and complete the one mile course set out at Hayling Island.For the World Record to be set there must always be someone moving on the one mile course at any one time, but that still gives us plenty of scope to leave safe gaps between groups and ensure this happens. Once the last person passes through the finish line the Record attempt is over and we will know if we have been successful…

There are other requirements in terms of filming, counting and capturing the attempt which Guinness demand, but we will worry about that, we just need you guys to do the kiting.

The Downwinder

Once buddy teams have passed through the finish line for the World Record, they are immediately off on the downwinder towards Pagham– 15 miles away! Well it’s got to be a big distance as you will be asking your friends and colleagues to sponsor you, so this seemed a suitable challenge.

Requirements

The registration fee is £40  per person which covers event rash vests, individual tracking and water safety cover for the downwinder.

Everyone must carry money for the phone and also bus / train etc and get themselves to Lancing for the finish and the After Party (and the coach home if required)

Kitesurfers will also need to ensure they have suitable equipment prior to the event in order to participate. This includes a wetsuit and buoyancy aid or impact vest. Their kit will also have to be of a suitable standard in terms of kite, lines, board etc – as breakages mid way along the course could cause unnecessary use of safety boats.

As you will see from the registration form, an intermediate level of kiting or above is needed for the whole event, and everyone must be able to self rescue. We will be aiming to run the event in a good SW wind, so risk should be well managed as people can self rescue to the beach if needed. Boat support will be provided, each buddy team will be GPS tracked and the BKSA will be advising us on safety throughout.