Record-breaker Adrian set for fundraising challenge

Adrian is no stranger to paddleboarding the waters in and around the UK

World-record holder Adrian Angell is returning to the scene of one of his most memorable achievements as he sets out to raise even more money for Diabetes UK.

Adrian is set to revisit the stretch of water on which he set his record last year, as he takes on the Thames 200 Ultra this August Bank Holiday Weekend. The event will see Adrian not only navigate the extreme 200km course, but also 45 locks along the way.

Last year, Adrian paddleboarded 124 miles down the River Thames, from Lechlade to Teddington Lock, in 35 hours and 52 minutes – setting a new world record. But it’s not breaking records that will drive his efforts this year; instead, it’s the fundraising which will see him tackling yet another ambitious challenge.

Cumbrian-born Adrian, 59, now lives in Cincinnati in the United States, but he’s no stranger to paddleboarding the waters in and around the UK. As well as his record-setting Thames paddle, he has also navigated 36 miles of the Irish Sea from the Isle of Man to his hometown of Seascale in just eight hours and has crossed the English Channel on his board.

“I started paddleboarding in 2007, having got into it from windsurfing. I grew up windsurfing off the coast of Cumbria,” explained Adrian. “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.”

Over his various challenges, Adrian has raised more than ten thousand pounds for Diabetes UK. Clare Howarth, Head of the North Region for Diabetes UK, said, “We’re so grateful to fundraisers, like Adrian, who take on such epic challenges to support Diabetes UK. The money they raise helps fund our vital research, which, in turn, helps improve the lives of those living with diabetes. We wish Adrian the very best of luck with his paddle.”

Adrian’s training schedule is now ramping up with the date on the Thames coming ever closer. Adrian 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.”

You can support Adrian via his fundraising page at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/adrian-angell-9?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL.