Events Calendar

BRITISH CANOE UNION PRESS RELEASE

16^th October, 2007

Olympic medallist Ian Wynne sets new World record crossing the channel in a kayak – smashing the previous record by over 20 minutes!

Olympic sprint racing athlete Ian Wynne has set a remarkable new World Record* crossing the English channel in a sea kayak. Twenty nine year old Ian Wynne smashed the previously held record of 3hours 21minutes 54 seconds (held by Ian Tordoff GB) and stormed into Calais in a new record of 2hours 59 minutes and 6 seconds.

It was not only a physical endurance race, the conditions including; the strong cross wind and fast tide added to the challenge. The initial race day (from Dover) was aborted in favour of racing on Friday 5^th October when the tide times were better. The English channel is one of busiest shipping channels in the World and due to the heavily regulated shipping lanes an experienced support boat negotiated obstacles including enormous liners and also helped to navigate the route.

Ian Wynne comments,

“It was very different from short distance of sprint racing that I have been used to, but I enjoy the challenge.”

The crossing was completed to help promote health and well being and to also demonstrate what is possible when people live a healthy and active life style. Ian is currently trying to promote himself as a performance coach and enable others to achieve their dreams and goals.

It appears that Ian Wynne, from Kent, thrives on challenges. He won an Olympic Bronze medal in the Men's K1 (kayak single) 500m kayak race, despite experiencing a freak ankle injury the night before the final race in the Athens 2004.

So what is the next big challenge on the agenda for Ian Wynne? Well Ian says he is unsure, but also says that he would certainly welcome suggestions! email chloe.nelson-lawrie@bcu.org.uk

The crossing was supported by www.hopespinalwellness.co.uk .

The boat used was a Surfski which is designed for open ocean racing and commonly used throughout the southern hemisphere where sea races are very common and well supported, something Ian would love to help develop and promote here in this country.

* As yet the attempt is not verified by Guinness World Records as the team has to submit the independent witness reports and photos for verification. However there is no reason to suspect otherwise, as a registered cross channel swimming association pilot boat was used and their regulations were strictly followed.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Chloe Nelson-Lawrie, British Canoe Union & Canoe England on 0845 370 9511

Unless otherwise stated, all images are the property of the British Canoe Union (BCU) and any copying or reproduction of them should be agreed in advance.

Notes to the editors:

Set up in 1936 to send a team to the Berlin Olympics, the British Canoe Union (BCU) is the lead body for canoeing and kayaking in the UK. In 2000 the BCU federalised to become the umbrella organisation for the Home Nation Associations in Scotland (SCA), Wales (WCA) and Northern Ireland (CANI). In England, Canoe England was set up, on a par with the other National Associations, as a division of the BCU, to support the development of canoeing in England.

The BCU is responsible for leading and setting the overall framework for the National Associations; including representing canoeing interests through coaching, competition and campaigning for increased access to Britain’s waterways for paddlers. In the Athens Olympics, Canoeing was one of Team GB’s most successful sports with medals for Ian Wynne (Bronze), Helen Reeves (Bronze) and Campbell Walsh (Silver).

Today the BCU has a membership of over 60,000, including over 600 affiliated clubs and 150 approved centres. According to the Paddlesport Review there are an estimated 1.5 million people take to the water in a canoe each year. The vast majority do so under a watchful eye of one of the 11,000 BCU Qualified coaches or as part of an affiliated organisation. For more information visit: www.bcu.org.uk.