A paddleboarder who set a world record is gearing up for another challenge.
Adrian Angell, originally from Seascale, plans to take on the Thames 200 Ultra this August bank holiday weekend.
This demanding event will require him to paddleboard along a 200km course, encountering 45 locks along the way.
Last year, Mr Angell set a world record by paddleboarding 124 miles down the River Thames, from Lechlade to Teddington Lock, in 35 hours and 52 minutes.
He also completed a gruelling 36-mile trip from the Isle of Man to Seascale and crossed the English Channel on his board.
However, this time, the record-breaking paddleboarder, who now lives in Cincinnati, USA, is not focused on achieving new feats.
Instead, he is set on using his paddleboarding skills for a cause close to his heart - raising money for Diabetes UK.
Mr Angell said: "I started paddleboarding in 2007, having got into it from windsurfing.
"I grew up windsurfing off the coast of Cumbria.
"I have family members and friends who live with type 1 diabetes.
"A family member knew of my love for paddleboarding, so suggested I fundraise, and that’s how I ended up paddleboarding across the English Channel."
Through his various challenges, Mr Angell has raised more than £10,000 for the charity.
His training schedule is intensifying as the bank holiday weekend approaches, with some sessions covering up to 30 miles.
Mr Angell said: "It’s a mixed blessing that there are so many locks.
"As they’re every few miles, it’s good and bad because it’s a little bit of a break, which helps keep you focused, but it does become tiring dragging your board in and out of the river.
"My long training paddle is usually on a weekend, and the maximum distance I’ll do is probably around 30 miles.
"Over a certain distance, it doesn’t make much difference.
"It’s a mental thing more than anything else."
To help Adrian in his fundraising effort, visit his JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/page/adrian-angell-9?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL.
Clare Howarth, head of the north region for Diabetes UK, said: "We wish Adrian the very best of luck with his paddle."
Share