RECORD DEL MONDO FIRMATO VIRGIN

Another world record bites the dust! Today the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada set a new Guinness World Record for the largest number of kitesurfers ever to complete a one-mile course. 

Watch the video above to get a taster of a spectacular day on the coast.

318 of us took to the water from Hayling Island in the first event of its kind for this fantastic sport. As the photos show, it was a real spectacle. 

Having broken the world record for the oldest person to kite surf across the Channel last year, and been no stranger to world record attempts over the years, it was wonderful to break another record as part of such a brilliant team.

We arrived in Hayling Island in picturesque conditions, a sunny morning rising out of the fog before the wind picked up at just the right time for us to begin kitesurfing.  Dan Charlish, the Director of Snow-Camp who did an incredible job organising this event, jokingly asked if Virgin could control the weather. It goes to show luck plays a big role in any adventure like this.

The team spirit was summed up by kitesurfers of all abilities getting involved – from a guy dressed up as yours truly with a blow-up doll on his back, to four-time kite race world champion Steph Bridge, the current men’s kite race European Champion and youth world champion, Olly Bridge and four-time British kite champion Lewis Crathern. It was a real team effort from everyone. 

My mum Eve, who is enjoying her 90th year, was on the beach cheering us on. Having been on plenty of adventures herself, it was lovely to share another exciting challenge with her today. She also has an Honorary President role with the RNLI – one of three wonderful charities all donations are going to support, alongside Virgin Unite and youth charity Snow-Camp. If you would like to make a donation please go to www.kitesurfingarmada.com.

We set a world record with our first attempt, and have signed a five year partnership with Snow-Camp. We will  return next year and plan to build a weekend kitesurfing festival together. Who knows what records we could break in 2014!

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

By Richard Branson. Founder of Virgin Group