Who cares about Hawaii!
Scilly Isles
Molokai is home to the world surf ski championships and rightly so – it’s one of the most testing events on the International Ocean Ski calendar. But can it lay claim to being the only open water crossing in the world? The Celtic Crossing is the brainchild of event founder and organiser Glenn Eldridge of Ocean Sports UK – “completing the Molokai in early 2000, seeing the Hawaiians cultural link with the ocean and the heritage of the crossing I thought that there must be something similar I could do here in the UK”.
Paying Homage
While the Molokai is considered a world championships only a handful of the worlds elite can afford to pay homage to this iconic race.
“Before I had even hit the tarmac from Hawaii I had already planned making a crossing to the Scilly Isles”; while sea temperatures might not be the same the translucent turquoise waters of the Scilly's and the rugged coastline of Cornwall provide the ingredients for a very special adventure.
Glenn Eldrige - the driving force behind the Celtic Challenge
Most Dangerous
Between the Isles of Scilly, an archipelago situated 51km southwest off Lands End lies some of the most dangerous and busiest stretches of ocean in the world... On the 18th May 2014 a band of elite Watermen & Women will attempt to set the fastest human powered crossings between the Scilly’s and Sennen Beach on UK main land.
While the distance might the same and water as blue the Celtic Crossing already as its own heritage hewn from Celtic mythology. Battles between King Arthur and Mordred are intertwined with the fabled lost land of Lyonnesse, a fertile vibrant land sat atop Wolf rock between Scilly’s and Cornwall was consumed by biblical a tempests. Often, fact is stranger than fiction although the legend makes for a fantastic tail there is evidence of petrified ancient forests and Iron age settlements submerged along the Southern peninsula of Cornwall and the Scilly Isles.
Never before raced
While this stretch of water is frequently crossed by sea kayak paddlers and the like however, a race has never taken place. Eight athletes will be making the crossing for the first time not only to best previous times but to raise much needed money and awareness for two charities, the Wave Project and the Joe Way appeal.
Chloe Bunnett and Tarryn Brown - all set
An all female crew from South Africa will be making the crossing in a double ocean ski, Vincent Naert is driving from Belgium to partner with local paddler and ranked number two in the UK Lewis Kirton, premier big wave surfer Tom Butler fresh from surfing mega storms in Ireland will make the attempt laying down on a paddle board.
Lewis Kirton
Mark Slater will make only the second attempt of someone crossing on a stand up paddle board (SUP) and of course Glenn Eldridge will be looking to add a third record time having made the crossing previously on a paddle board and double ocean ski.
Rival to Molokai?
What of the future? “I knew that one day we could have an event that could rival the Molokai and we will be holding an international series of races annually for ocean ski, SUP, Hawaiian canoe (OC1, OC2 and OC6) and paddle board to start in 2015".
Sennen Cove - the finish (beers in the pub behind the cameraman!)
Support us!
Whether you are intrigued if all of these paddlers can make it across or simply would like to support the nominated charities the event can be followed on
The event is schedule to start from St. Mary’s with the first paddlers leaving at 2 PM BST and will be arriving at Sennen Cove at approximately 8 PM.
Contact Glenn via email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.