‘The Crossing? ? Andreya Wharry’s ambitious attempt to lead the first mass kitesurf crossing from the Isles of Scilly to the Extreme Academy at Watergate Bay, Cornwall took place on 27 May 2004.
Andreya Wharry, from Mawgan Porth, lead the way into Watergate Bay in the early evening. She was followed by world number one, Cindy Mosey from New Zealand, then by world number ten, Claire Bunton from Surrey.
{I?m really excited to have so much support from the Extreme Academy for The Crossing… ~ Dreya } Andreya was joined by nine of the world’s top 20 women kitesurfers for the Crossing attempt. The Crossing was a 70 mile journey taking them from St Martin’s, past Land’s End and up the north Cornish coast, before coming in on the beach at Watergate Bay, near Newquay.
‘I?m really excited to have so much support from the Extreme Academy for The Crossing,? said Dreya before the event. ‘This attempt is something I?ve been planning for years, and to have some of my best friends coming along with me for the ride just makes it even better.
‘Hopefully it won’t just be fun for us ? the sight of 10 kites and all the support boats coming up the coast should be quite a treat for the spectators who will be able to see us as we go past the headlands at Land’s End, St Ives, St Agnes and Newquay.?
Dreya, who is ranked ninth in the world, was joined by current world champion Cindy Mosey (New Zealand), world no.2 Ingrid Kollbichler (Austria) and world no.3 Petra Goeschl (Germany/Holland), also Kristin Boese, Fiona Wedenig, Sonia Fischl, Laurel Eastman and Claire Bunton.
The attempt has benefitted two charities through sponsorship and a charity fundraising event on Tuesday 1 June, billed as a ‘Gala Auction Dinner and Party’ promising ‘Your chance to meet some of the the world’s fittest women and celebrate a successful Crossing’. Dreya hopes to raise over ?10,000 for R.N.L.I. and the Silke Gorldt Foundation.
The Silke Gorldt Foundation is an international charity set up in memory of German Silke Gorldt, who died in a kitesurfing accident in June 2002 when she was ranked second in the world. The Foundation run camps educating children about how to kitesurf safely, as well as providing financial assistance for people who have suffered injuries kitesurfing.
| Pre Event |
‘I was talking to friends about how it would be nice to do something to remember Silke by, and to enjoy the sport that she loved,? said Dreya.
‘Everyone taking part knew Silke, and I thought it would be really nice to get all the girls together and do something that Silke would have been proud to do. What would be more fantastic than kiting up the coast with 10 of her friends’ The whole idea stems from Silke’s huge sense of adventure - she would have loved this.?
Dreya is now looking for sponsors to help finance the ?10,000 attempt. Sponsorship opportunities currently available include Title Sponsor of the Crossing (limited to one company), and Event Sponsors who can supply goods, services or financial contributions, including items to be auctioned at the Charity Auction event on 1st June.
Sponsorship has already been found for safety boats to accompany the riders on the crossing; Skybus are supplying travel from the mainland to the Isles of Scilly; and Isles of Scilly Tourism have arranged accommodation on the islands for the days preceding the crossing attempt. Red Bull and Pulse Radio are also supporting the Crossing.
Companies or individuals interested in sponsoring the attempt can contact Liz Long, Events Manager at the Extreme Academy, on 01637 860840 or email liz@watergatebay.co.uk.
| Schedule | |
| 24 May | Riders arrive at Watergate Bay. |
| 25 May | Morning - Press Launch, The Beach Hut, Watergate Bay. |
| Afternoon - Riders and crew depart for St Martyns, Isles of Scilly. | |
| 26 - 31 May | Weather window for the crossing. |
| Demo days ? kitesurf safety practices, equipment use. | |
| 1 June | Evening ? The Crossing Party and Charity Auction Event, The Beach Hut, Watergate Bay. Entertainment by Pulse Radio (www.pu1se.com). |
– Press Release, Stuart Elford