Brandt surfs closer to new world record dream

Manama : Bahrain-based kitesurfer, Anke Brandt, broke her previous record by kitesurfing for more than 30 hours.

Brandt, who holds the record for the longest distance kitesurfed by a woman, began her adrenaline-pumping mission from Amwaj Islands on Sunday at 2.45pm. 

She set off from Bahrain to Emirates Palace Marina in Abu Dhabi, UAE to kite 550 km. She kitesurfed close to 500 km yesterday and is expected to complete her mission by 1.30am today. 

Anke, who has been kiting since 2009, surfed to Doha in just over 17 hours covering 298 kms in her previous mission.

Brandt is being accompanied by a 13.6-meter SAR Rescue Boat, which has been provided by Kvichak Marine. “The boat is amazing and is named ‘Vigilant’. I think the name says it all. I don’t think that it will let us down,” she said before setting off.

The boat is fully equipped with satellite phones, while Brandt is also carrying a tracking device. 

A team of five is on-board the boat, which includes Captain Robert Jones, co-captain, Dale Mascoll and a videographer, Hiba Skaini. 

“Captain Rob is very experienced and we have members of the kiting community on board, Yousif Al Harty and Ryan Hughes,” she said.

Gulf Equipment and Technology (GET), Meritas and Amwaj Islands have also continued to pledge support to the mission, which aims to raise funds for Wings for Life. “Through the mission last month, we raised close to $1600,” she stated. “My goal, however, is to raise $5,500 this time. I hope people will rally behind the cause and make a donation online,” she added.

Following the mission, footage of the attempt captured by the photography team will be provided for approval to Guinness World Records officials.