Bruno Sroka is a bit of a kiteboarding legend; the French-born sailor was the first (and still only) person to round Cape Horn on a kiteboard, he’s the holder of the English Channel kiteboard record, and winner of some big championships in the early and disorganized world of kiteboard racing.
All those pale in comparison to his latest feat; a 16-hour, 240 NM hatefest from the Brittany Coast all the way to Cork, Ireland. Of course Sroka had the luxury of waiting for the perfect weather window; something the support of title sponsor Tourism Ireland made possible. But even so, that’s one hell of a long and uncomfortable ride, and we think it’s a real accomplishment. Next up: Transatlantic on a kiteboard? We’ll find out.
Rubber Ducky, You’re The One
Meanwhile, while Sroka was screaming across the mouth of La Manche, a (presumably drunken) American tried to set his own record for stupidity by rowing and sailing a 6-foot Wal-mart dinghy from Weymouth to Bournemouth in the UK. It’s only a 36 mile trip – that should have been a piece of cake with two plastic oars and a tarp for a sail. For better or worse Darwin was cheated of an award when a dive boat called it in to HM Coastguard – they picked him up, took him in, and treated him for burns suffered during the 15-hour tour.
A Coastguard spokesman took advantage of the opportunity to make the world a safer place. “Blow up boats and other inflatables aren’t suitable for use at the seaside, as they can easily be blown far out to sea.”
Thanks, Captain Obvious!
