Just a bit of a heads up, Nat's been training for months and about to fly to Tassie for the big trip back.
This from Natalie....
Natalie ClarkeMarch 18, 2010 at 10:55pm
Subject: Kite Bass Strait for Swim 4 All - GAME ON
Finally the wind is right and I'm off to Tassie.
I leave Saturday afternoon and hope to make the kiteboard crossing back on Monday.
The wind might be OK on Sunday, which would make it a rush to get everything ready in Tassie but not impossible.
Please check links on the website to follow my progress.
www.facebook.com/;www.swim4all.com.au
Twitter will be updated each hour during the crossing. www.facebook.com/;twitter.com/NatalieSwim4All
The spot messenger will be on me and is an designed to leave a footstep every 10 minutes, so you can see in real time where I am in Bass Strait.
www.facebook.com/;share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0eZ8ESo8lzhLpm3t4ELR0hoMIRk8khapM
I hope to reach land before dark around Wilsons Promontory / Inverloch. Please feel free to come and welcome me back!!!
I will have my mobile on me... please only call if it is an emergency during the crossing, I can answer it while I kite, but sometimes fall and this will use much needed energy.
Please let anyone know that this world record attempt is to raise money for more swimming facilities for children with disabilities and that donations can be made via the swim 4 all website.
www.facebook.com/;www.swim4all.com.au
thank you all for your support and encouragement over this long preparation period...
see you all soon for drinks on dry land
Natalie Clarke
Natalie we wish you all the best and good winds for the crossing!!!
is she the first person to actually make it? From what I recall the other two had to swim the last K. Which in my book is a fantastic effort but not quite making it! Well done Nat!
Congrats Nat.
By the look of the last hour to Venus bay, the speed really picked up.
edit: oops the footprints aren't always in 10min intervals.
Thats awesome!!!! where da hell was all the hype that the big snickers guys got? Looks like you actualy kited all the way aswell.
Great effort from Nat, and for a great cause too (to raise funds for disadvantaged/disabled kids swim school). She's a champion in every aspect.
This from paulcam03....
"Well done to Natalie,
Today, 22 Mar 2010 Natalie made history by kiting the whole way across Bass Strait, from Stanley on the North Tip of Tasmania to Venus Bay in Victoria.
In recognition, please support her cause by donating to swim4all.com.au/
Kudos also to husband Dean, the support crew and sponsors!...
Way to go Girl!"
I second the above and would like to add a massive massive congrats to Nat, soooo sketchy out there.... having to leave from a beach in absolute darkness to kite out into bass strait on a gusty offshore wind is not something I would wish upon anyone.
To her credit, Nat took it in her stride and smashed it across Bass Strait!!! We filmed the crossing for Kitelife and it'll be on episode 8 Tuesday 6th April, in the mean time, here's a link to a couple of snaps I took along the way.
If you haven't heard, Nat wants to build a pool for special needs kids. A worthy cause for a worthy person. If you can help out, I know for sure Nat would be super appreciative.
Congrats again to Nat, and thanks everyone for their kind messages and well wishes... Kudos!!
www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=163136&id=643777465&l=987c67b00e
Congratulations Nat!!!!!!
awesome achievement, I hope you raised heaps of money and had a ball. Does anyone know the exact km's of the trip??