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Over 150 people are taking part in one of the most extreme endurance events in the Channel Islands, the Jersey Round Island Challenge, today.
For this second edition, competitors will either be running, swimming, kayaking, paddling, rowing and, in a brand new development, surf skiing.
The ‘Ocean Skis’ category will see a squad of seven members from Epic Kayaks in the UK race round the island in ocean going surfskis, against other participants from France and Jersey.
The Swim and Run categories will both start at 8:00, respectively from Elizabeth Castle and the Waterfront Gardens. The Kayak, SUP, Row and Ocean Ski categories will all start at 09:15 form the breakwater at Elizabeth Castle. Friends, family as well as public supporters will be able to track the progress of their favourite competitors online throughout the event.
Now in its second year, the challenge captured the attention of Red Bull last year, who listed it as one of the most extreme fitness challenges in the UK, something organisers say has helped them greatly in attracting more international competitors. The established categories of Run, Kayak, Stand Up Paddle and Row will be welcoming more competitors this year, with the SUP category also boasting a female World Record Holder amongst its competitors. The Swim category has nearly doubled in size and will welcome over fifty swimmers, who will compete as part of a team.
Sponsored by Smith & Williamson, the challenge raises funds for the Grace Crocker Family Support Foundation (GCFSF), a local charity that supports families in Jersey with sick children needing treatment in the UK. The GCFSF is a much loved and admired volunteer-led charity formed by Nigel and Sara in memory of their daughter Grace. Nigel states: "We have always been fortunate to have so many passionate supporters for our small charity, seeing so many people committing to the event, raising tens of thousands of pounds in the process. Turning what for us was a traumatic and emotional time in our lives into something so positive for so many others is truly amazing to witness."
Simon O'Donoghue and Aidan McAvinue, who came up with the idea of this extreme challenge, wanted to raise the profile of the cost, complexity and unnecessary stress experienced by islanders who should otherwise be free to focus on the wellbeing of their loved ones.
Last year, the event raised £30,000 in order to meet the annual cost of a dedicated liaison nurse to support 16 different charities that have agreed to collaborate to improve the experience of individual families. The nurse, who is currently being recruited with the support of Jersey Community Partnership and LV Home Care, is necessary to provide support, advice, and access to charitable assistance for families of Jersey children who need to travel to the UK for medical treatment.
Donations to the charity can be made online via the event website. More information on the challenge are available at www.jerseyroundislandchallenge.com.
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