Forget skiing or snowboarding!  FamilySki News is off to Hayling Island this weekend to check out some kitesurfing!

This Sunday, 250 kitesurfers are attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Parade of Kitesurfers ever assembled at Hayling Island on the South Coast of England.

It is being billed as the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada!

The need to complete a one-mile course to achieve the new record, followed by a massive 46-mile downwind leg to Lancing, stopping off at Pagham and Littlehampton on the way – fundraising on behalf of three fantastic charities: Virgin Unite, Snow-Camp and the RNLI.

The event is being organised by Snow-Camp, a youth charity working with inner city young people, encouraging them to try snowsports lesson in the hopes of engaging, transforming and inspiring them, whilst learning key life skils along the way.

Kitesurfing champion Lewis Crathern will be leading the challenge, together with a rather special guest – Richard Branson!

Not only is Branson putting his global brand behind the event (which, incidentally, secures the event for the next five years), but he is also taking part – we knew he was a keen skier, but it turns out he enjoys kitesurfing too!

Here’s what he had to say about the event:

To take part in this pioneering event; to give a donation; or simply to find out more about the event, visit the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada website here.

We will be posting up a full report on the event early next week.  In the meantime, good luck Richard, Lewis and to all the kitesurfers taking part!…