After setting a world record for being the oldest person to kitesurf across the English Channel last year, Sir Richard Branson added more bragging rights to his book of accomplishments on Sunday, leading 317 other kitesurfers in a one-mile course — another record-breaking feat.
The showy business tycoon who has built a career out of pushing the envelope and pulling off elaborate, headline catching PR stunts took to the waves near Portsmouth over the weekend along with 317 other kitesurfers, sailing a one-mile course that set off from Hayling Island beach near Portsmouth.
With a Guinness World Record adjudicator present, the Virgin Kitesurf Armada set sail in the largest parade of kitesurfers to cross one mile (1.6 km).
To keep the record live, there had to be at least one kitesurfer sailing the one-mile course.
Four-time kitesurfing champion Steph Bridge also attended the event in an effort to promote the sport and push for its entry as an Olympic sport.
Proceeds of the event went to support three charities, Virgin Unite, Snow-Camp, which reaches out to inner city kids with winter sports, and the RNLI, a lifeguarding program.
