The Vancouver Island Kite surfers who attempted the crossing of the Strait of Georgia have proved it possible.
Four Kite surfers left the shore of Columbia Beach in Parksville at shortly after 9 a.m. April 29, their destination being Davis Bay then back to Pipers Lagoon in Nanaimo. One adventurous team member, Allan Berry had a kite issue right off the bat and ended up with a tangled line. The rescue boat attempted to get assist but ended up picking Berry out of the water after tearing the kite in half.
This rescue boat had a main motor issue limped back in to French Creek Marina as the other team members were out on the water and decided to carry on with the trip with the remaining chase boat.
One more team member, Harold Grindl turned back as he felt overpowered on his 12-metre kite and landed safely at San Pareil in Parksville.
Ken Droog and Dennis McDonald, along with the remaining chase boat, chose to continue the trip across the Strait. Half way across the wind was reaching 35 knots off Lasqueti Island and gusting higher. With a 10m and 11m kite on the water and big boards they were certainly overpowered, but the two landed in Davis Bay three and a half hours later.
"We were certainly overpowered, but able to reach the mainland and with assistance from an onlooker land our kites and re-rig the kites for more depower to attempt the trip back home," said Droog.
McDonald and Droog re-launched their kites looked to the chase boat, captained by Kevin Riley of Nanoose Bay with deck hand and fellow kiter John Stathers, clearly getting tossed around waiting just offshore, then the two ventured back in to the water and began the trek across the Strait.
"The wind was certainly overpowering at times, but began to cooperate a few kilometres off the shore and we knew our trip back was a shorter distance so we felt confident we made it through the hardest stretch," added McDonald.
Landing point in site at Pipers Lagoon the two touched down on the beach about one and a half hours after setting out on the second leg. The total return crossing time was just over five hours and the two were safe on shore.
These adventurous Kite Boarders through their kitingforkids charity effort for the BC Children's Hospital raised a total of $9,185 towards their $10,000 goal.
"We certainly feel we achieved our goal and are very pleased with the results for our first year," said Grindl.
Donations can be made through the website www.kitingforkids.com with all donations going through the link to the BC Children's Super Hero page created for KitingforKids by BC Children's Hospital. KitingforKids is a group of avid kite boarders that have a love for the sport and a desire to make a difference. They raise funds through kite events that go directly to the BC Children's Hospital. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kitingforkids and on Twitter @kitingforkids.
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