Kitesurfer Natalie Clarke crosses Bass Strait and sets new record

Natalie Clarke successfully kitesurfed across Bass Strait on Monday 22 March 2010.

After much preparation and training, Natalie departed from Stanley in North West Tasmania at 6:30am and kitesurfed solo and non-stop all the way across Bass Straight, landing at Venus Bay in Victoria at about 4:15pm.

Natalie broke the previous record for kitesurfing across Bass Strait, set by James Weight and Ben Morrison Jack in late 2009, by 2 hours completing the trip in around 9 hours 30 minutes.

Natalie is also the first female and solo kitesurfer to make the crossing.  She was accompanied by a support boat for the trip.

The total distance covered was approximately 240km.

Natalie's track log; note detour when she sights land (Natalie Clarke)

Natalie made the crossing to raise funds for the Swim 4 All Foundation who are still accepting donations.

(Photo: Paul Cousins)

{Photo: Paul Cousins)

Leading the boat.  (Photo: Natalie Clarke)

 (Photo: Natalie Clarke)

Crossing   (Photo: Natalie Clarke)

Approaching Venus Bay beach (Photo: Paul Cousins)

Into the surf at Venus Bay (Photo: Natalie Clarke)

Arrived: on the beach at Venus Bay  (Photo: Natalie Clarke)

Links

• http://natalieswim4all.blogspot.com/
• Natalie Clarke's GPS log, sportstracklive.com

First solo attempt to cross Bass Strait is imminent

Natalie Clarke, a keen Melbourne-based kitesurfer, is ready to attempt the first solo unassisted crossing of Bass Straight kitesurfing.

Natalie has been training hard for this feat, and is also fund raising for the Swim 4 All Foundation.  

The attempt is now waiting for the right wind conditions.  Fingers crossed that the wind god smiles and that Natalie makes it.

Links

• http://natalieswim4all.blogspot.com/

Bass Strait crossed by kitesurfing - a world first

Bass Straight, the stretch of water that separates Tasmania from the Australian mainland, has been crossed by kitesurfing for the first time.

Ben Morrison-Jack and James Weight, both aged 33, completed the 260km journey from Stanley, landing at Apollo Bay in Victoria's southwest early on Wednesday night. The trip took just under 12 hours,

Details

• Departure: leaving Stanley in Tasmania's north at 7am (AEST).
• Arrival: Apollo Bay, Victoria
• Duration: 12 hours (approx)
• Distance: 260km (approx)
• Support boat was used

Links

• Local daredevils cross Bass Strait - by kite, The Age, September 9, 2009

Video