Richard Branson’s English Channel crossing postponed

posted by Just Kite It
Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 3:03pm EDT

A content publisher and social community focused on kite education, sports tourism and connecting like-minded professionals of the sport. Founded by two kiteboarding addikts, with backgrounds in media, digital branding, social media, finance management and startups, Just Kite It aims to provide a place for sharing information and knowledge kite education, kite sports around the world and connecting likeminded professionals of the sport.

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by Jessica Valenzuela

"I don't think I've ever done an adventure where I've succeeded the first time."

Virgin billionaire, Sir Richard Branson valued at $4 billion postponed his attempt to kite across the English Channel. The waves apparently were bigger than expected which made it unsafe for boat support. The Virgin Atlantic boss made it five miles out to sea when water conditions prevented the crew to continue. Branson wanted to continue, but the support team made a call to stop. His son Sam, daughter Holly and a nephew Ivo accompanied him on this adventure.

Branson prepped well for this attempt to cross the English Channel while kite surfing to mark his 60th birthday. His goal is to be the first oldest person to do so. Branson shared with the The Guardian “It was fantastic conditions for kiting but hellish conditions for the chase boats. The boats couldn’t have done it and it’s too dangerous for the kites to continue without them. We knew when we set off there was a risk of that. There wasn’t enough wind when I was trying to get my kite up. But it was full-on kiting [after that]. We had a big argument with the boats as we did want to carry on, but in the end sense prevailed.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever done an adventure where I’ve succeeded the first time.”

Reports mention that Branson will make another attempt tomorrow.

Branson is known for his stunts and love for extreme sports. In 1986 he broke the time record for crossing the Atlantic Ocean in 1986. He is also the first person to fly over the Atlantic in a hot air balloon. In addition to Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Media and Virgin Mobile Branson is launching his new space agency Virgin Galactic. Want a trip outside of the Earth’s orbit? It is possible with $200,000 a person.

Branson is also kite surfing’s only globally recognized Ambassador for the sport’s bid to the Olympics in Rio2016. He is also the main force behind the BVI Kite Jam. Thanks to Branson, this sport is getting some much needed media play.

More details via the NY Post, Forbes Blog and The Guardian.

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Just Kite It

A content publisher and social community focused on kite education, sports tourism and connecting like-minded professionals of the sport. Founded by ...
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