THE Virgin Kitesurfing Armada Festival came to a successful end after a fantastic weekend of kitesurfing, stand up paddleboarding, fundraising and record-breaking on Hayling Island.
Weymouth’s double Olympic medallist Nick Dempsey took time out of his RS:X windsurfing campaign to join the kitesurfing community and help set two new records.
On the Saturday, 344 kitesurfers set a new UK record for the largest parade of kitesurfers riding down a mile course, while on Sunday a new Guinness world record was set for the largest parade of stand up paddleboarders with 256 travelling down a similar course on CBK Beach.
Dempsey said: “The Virgin Kitesurfing Armada was a massive event, a really good vibe and a nice friendly atmosphere even for someone like me who hasn’t been kitesurfing very long.
“We had a wicked weekend and I was thrilled to be a part of setting a new Guinness World Record.”
The armada was an event for all, attracting world champions, pro-kitesurfers and novice kitesurfers, with ages ranging from as young as 11 years through to 73 years.
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