A Frenchman is attempting to become the first person to kitesurf non-stop from France to Ireland.
Armed with a kite, a board and a backpack, Bruno Sroka left a beach in Aber Wrac'h in Brittany shortly after 6am this morning en route for Crosshaven in Co Cork.
The 37-year-old hopes to complete the 240-mile journey in 16 hours, which would see him arrive in Cork at about 10pm tonight.
His progress across the channel can be monitored via a GPS satellite link.
“My goal is really to get to the other side, I do not have time to break, I’m the first to make the crossing on a kitesurf,” he said before setting out this morning.
“The weather is a bit strong here with almost 17 knots of wind, it’ll be hard. Then the Scilly Isles will be difficult to negotiate because the wind will be very unstable.”
“In the middle of the crossing, I should reach 10-12 knots speed and 8 knots at the end, hoping that it won’t be less. So here we go, see you tonight in Crosshaven, Ireland.”
Sroka is an accomplished kitesurfer and a three-time winner of the kitesurfing world cup. He has already traversed the English Channel, the Gulf of Aqaba (at the northern tip of the Red Sea) and the famous Cape Horn by kitesurf.
Tourism Ireland in France is sponsoring Sroka’s crossing. To capitalise on the media exposure his crossing will generate in France, the organisation’s Ireland logo is displayed on his equipment.
Monica MacLaverty, Tourism Ireland’s manager for southern Europe, said: “We are delighted to be associated with Bruno Sroka’s latest challenge. The island of Ireland is known by the French largely for its stunning landscapes and friendly, welcoming people. However, with 5,600 kms of coastline, the island is also a superb destination for watersports such as surfing and kitesurfing.
“Our sponsorship of Bruno allows us to highlight this lesser-known aspect of holidaying in Ireland and to position Ireland as a fantastic destination for outdoor sports.”
