Sir Richard Branson, a billionaire industrialist, aims to be the oldest person to cross the English Channel via kitesurfing. The 60-year-old plans to take on the challenge to promote Virgin Active, a chain of health clubs he owns.
To traverse the English Channel, an approximated time of six hours is needed to cross the Dungeness to the coast of France. The time to travel 24 miles is still relative to the weather conditions.
Branson said, “Kitesurfing is one of my favourite sports. I absolutely love the amazing rush you get when going at high speeds, in high winds, with the most beautiful kite acting as your only guide.
“I know that kitesurfing across the channel will not be quite the same as kitesurfing in the beautiful waters of the Caribbean but I can’t think of anything I rather do, with my family and friends, to celebrate turning 60.”, the billionaire added.
Branson is not only known for his health club but also for the previous world records he held. The billionaire has successfully crossed the Atlantic in a hot-air balloon in 1987, and the Pacific, from Japan to Canada’s Arctic. He travelled 6,700 miles at the speed of 245 miles per hour in 1991. However, he failed to reach his goal to circumnavigate the world in a hot-air balloon.
Flexifoil International, a United Kingdom based kitesurf brand, designed and donated the kite surfing equipment and uniform necessary for Branson’s goal.
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