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Flying high for the kids

Kiteboarder raising funds for BC Children's Hospital
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John Bridal kiteboarding

This time next month Sooke’s own John Bridal will be feeling pretty great about his latest adventure. Bridal will have trekked from Nanaimo to Sechelt and back, torso harnessed to a kite, feet strapped to a board.

“Kiteboarding can be a bit dangerous, especially through Race Rocks and Lasqueti Island. The gusts in those areas hit around 65k but there are going to be three support boats assisting with this fundraiser just in case Mother Nature gets to be a bit much,” said Bridal.

The Strait of Georgia is known for its gale force winds, strong swell and icy temperatures and wreaked havoc on last year’s four-person team.  One kite was shredded, one board was jettisoned as half the kiteboarding team were overpowered by Mother Nature and plucked up by the rescue boat. The 70 km round trip will be from Pipers Lagoon in Nanaimo to Davis Bay at Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast with about four hours on the water.

Bridal’s enthusiasm for kiting or any water-related sport is only overshadowed by his strong volunteer ethic in the Sooke community and love for his family.

Bridal, a father of two, has a fundraising goal of $1,000 for the BC Childrens’ Hospital and will be the only Sookite on this sophomore adventure.

Donate at www.kitingforkids.com