Novices take on kayaking challenge
A TEAM of 35 novice kayakers will this week traverse the UK’s largest lakes and take on a marathon 26-mile walk – all in just four days.
Setting off on the Kayak-4MND Challenge, the group of amateurs from South Wales will cross some of the country’s most treacherous waters all in an attempt to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association.
The mammoth Bank Holiday weekend trip will see them kayak across Bala Lake and back on Friday, August 26, walk the 26 miles from Llandudno to Prestatyn on the Saturday, then kayak 11 miles across Lake Windermere on the Sunday before travelling up to Scotland to kayak the 25 miles of Loch Awe on Bank Holiday Monday.
Challenge organiser Justin Hostettler-Davies, from Bridgend, said the group were “apprehensive” about the huge task, adding: “To call us amateurs would be a bit kind at this stage.
“We are totally out of our depth here, and it will be a mental challenge as much as a physical one.
“We came up with an idea that would put us out of our comfort zone and water was an obvious choice.
“I wouldn’t have survived a swimming challenge so the next best thing was kayaking.”
Justin, 41, who works in IT, lost his best friend to MND in 2013 and added: “Before this trip the majority of them had never even been in a kayak before and if you look at us, as a group, you can clearly tell we are not proficient kayakers.
“After this challenge I won’t be doing it again but I am delighted by the uptake and commitment people have shown.”
That commitment has seen 35 people, the vast majority of whom are from Bridgend, agree to take on the task, which is a combination of the National Three Lake Challenge, normally done by experienced paddlers, and a marathon walk across North Wales.
Justin has given the group just four days to complete the task and they will be joined by five people coming along to drive the minibuses and help out. He said: “We decided to do it because it captures the imagination and it stands out by doing something so out there.
“Hopefully it makes people sit up and take notice. The team are obviously apprehensive of the challenge ahead but are fully determined and motivated. The majority of us had never been in a kayak prior to this but we all share the same objective – to raise as much awareness and sponsorship as possible.”
The group will set off without a professional kayaker with them, although Justin said they had been briefed on safety by MND Association charity officials and risk assessments had been carried out.
Fundraising for this challenge has already hit £14,000 and Justin described it as the biggest task to date. “I am nervous but also excited. The support in the build up has been overwhelming again,” he said. “It’s vital, crucial, there are things like this are done to raise awareness for the cause.”
To support the Kayak-4MND Challenge go to www.justgiving.com/kayaking4MND