7th September 2005
Andreya Wharry sets two world records on the Veuve Clicquot Kite Crossing by kitesurfing from Watergate Bay, Cornwall, to Ireland.
Professional kitesufer Andreya Wharry today shattered all current world records for the longest continuous kitesurf passage by successfully completing her latest challenge, The Veuve Clicquot Kite Crossing.
Dreya, 34, kitesurfed a total of 115.4 nautical miles (132.71 statute miles) in eight hours and six minutes from Watergate Bay in Cornwall, to Dungarvan, County Waterford, Ireland. In doing so she set two new world records for the ‘Longest Continuous Kitesurf’ and ‘Longest Continuous Kitesurf by a Woman’.
“132 miles - I’m really stoked with that!”, said an exhausted but jubilant Dreya, who is from Newquay in Cornwall. “We set out to do 135 miles and we’ve pretty much done that. It’s amazing!”
The Veuve Clicquot Kite Crossing started with an agonising wait for wind as Dreya, a former world top-ten ranked professional kitesurfer, waited on the beach for two hours for the forecasted south-westerly winds to come in from the Atlantic.
At 10.00 am the decision was made to motor 15 miles offshore from Watergate Bay to start the crossing attempt out at sea where wind conditions were more favourable. It proved to be the right decision, as Dreya managed to successfully launch her kite and The Veuve Clicquot Kite Crossing commenced at 11.00 am.
“I didn’t realise how stressed I was on the beach until I got going,” said Dreya. “The winds were so light I didn’t think we’d be able to get going at all, and it was a really tricky to launch the kite from the water, but once I was going it was fantastic. Even in that light wind I was averaging a really good speed, around 15 knots, so I was amazed.
“It was lovely at the beginning – it was smooth, it was comfy, it was warm, it was easy. There were so many dolphins out there, they were lovely. They seemed to pop up every time I needed a pep, I had one that came up right beside me, they really gave me a lift.”
Dreya passed a series of milestones along the way, including beating her own world record - a gruelling 70 mile ocean passage from the Isles of Scilly to Watergate Bay last May – after three hours and 45 minutes. She continued to make good progress, averaging a speed of 15 knots over the first five hours as the wind strength increased from force three to force five.
Then just after 5.00pm at 89 nautical miles Dreya beat the official world record held by thee American kitesurfers who made a passage between Cuba and Florida in 2001.
Fighting against fatigue, Dreya pushed on through the pain barrier to reach the 100 nautical-mile mark shortly before 6.00pm and beat Stef de Jong’s unofficial world record set only last month on a passage between Lowestoft and Holland.
“The fatigue was worse than I thought it was going to be,” Dreya explained. “At 80 miles it really started to hurt. Then around the 90 mile mark the sea state really deteriorated, the wind picked up to a force six, and my kite was really overpowered in that wind, I was doing all I could to control it. The last 20 miles were so hard. We saw land and then we lost sight of it again as the visibility deteriorated, and I was getting trashed by the power – the kite was just picking me up and launching me, I felt like a rag doll.”
Fatigue and failing light finally got the better of Dreya just three miles away from landing at Clonea beach near Dungarvan. At 7.06pm, and after 132.71 miles, Dreya and the safety crew on the support boats decided to end the attempt, thus securing Dreya’s place in the record books.
The challenge wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the principal sponsors, Veuve Clicquot, whose involvement ensured the vital support boats could be booked for the entire nine-day waiting period.
“We are delighted that Dreya has succeeded on her inspiring challenge, let’s crack open the Veuve Clicquot!”, said Andrew Notcutt, Brand Manager for Veuve Clicquot. “Dreya has pulled off a truly incredible feat - The Veuve Clicquot Kite Crossing has been a challenge that has pushed Dreya to the limits of her mental and physical endurance, and she’s come out of it all smiling.”
Dreya is no stranger to challenges. The Veuve Clicquot Kite Crossing is her second kitesurf endurance record; she has also won three national and international Gladiators titles, and worked as a wing-walker on the Cadbury’s Crunchie flying circus.
Henry Ashworth, founder of The Extreme Academy, who have supported Dreya throughout her attempt from Watergate Bay, was full of praise for Dreya’s acheivement.
Said Henry: “Dreya has really proved that in the gruelling world of extreme sport it has nothing to do with whether you’re a man or a woman. In breaking this record Dreya has shown sheer guts and determination and is an inspiration to us all.”
Air Southwest, the South West’s low fares airline sponsored The Veuve Clicquot Kite Crossing by providing flights for Dreya and the support crew to return from Dublin to Newquay.
Mike Coombes, general manager commercial for Air Southwest said: “Dreya is a real credit to the sheer determination of the Cornish. I was absolutely thrilled to hear the news that Dreya has kitesurfed into the world record books and hope that her achievements will inspire more people to come to Cornwall for the first time to experience the thrills of extreme beach and water sports.
“Air Southwest is delighted to have been involved in this exciting project with the Extreme Academy at Watergate Bay and wish Dreya every success in her future pursuit of raising the profile of her demanding sport and the fantastic range of activities on offer in contemporary Cornwall.”
Also supporting The Veuve Clicquot Kite Crossing was ‘The Moorings’ pub and hotel in Dungarvan, County Waterford, who provided accommodation for Dreya and her team in Ireland and hosted a fantastic celebration dinner on the evening of the record-breaking day.
ENDS
Notes For Editors
Andreya Wharry is a former national and international Gladiators champion, wing-walker and world top ten kitesurfer. In September 2005 she set a world distance record by kitesurfing 134 miles from The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay in Cornwall, to County Waterford in Ireland - a feat that saw her recognised by National Geographic Adventure magazine as one of their Adventurers of 2005.
The Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay is one of Britain’s leading venues for beach sports. Founded in 1999, the Extreme Academy comprises specialist schools for surfing, kitesurfing, waveski and mountainboarding; technical equipment hire; and the Extreme Store, stocking a wide range of clothing and technical equipment. The Beach Hut, newly refurbished and now located on the ground floor of The Extreme Academy, is well known as Cornwall’s coolest beach hangout, and a great place to eat.
The Hotel, Watergate Bay. After an extensive programme of refurbishment and a merger with the Extreme Academy, The Hotel, Watergate Bay offers an unique contemporary beach lifestyle on the north coast of Cornwall. Still family owned and run, The Hotel features a fresh modern look, AA Rosette dining and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Facilities include 70 bedrooms, two restaurants, two pools and a tennis court.
White Stuff, the fashion lifestyle clothing label, was founded in 1985. They currently have 35 White Stuff shops and over 100 wholesale outlets throughout the UK as well as a website and mail order business. The brand is definitely fashion for lovers not victims – and this is reflected in the relaxed styling, lovely detailing and discreet branding on their quality clothing. White Stuff customers are 25-40 ‘something’s’ who know the fashion trends but have their own sense of style.
Media Contact - PR on behalf of Andreya Wharry.
For more information and images contact: Jim Michell at Barefoot Media.
Telephone: +44 (0)1208 895089 Email: jim@barefootmedia.co.uk |
