Windsurfing Dentist Set for North Channel Record
A dentist from Belfast is set to become a record breaker after crossing the North Channel in just 1 hour 40 minutes.
Chris Loughridge, a dental surgeon who spends most of his time treating patients with troublesome teeth, has set a new record for windsurfing from Northern Ireland to Scotland. He managed the journey in just 100 minutes, making the speedy dentist faster than a ferry.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Chris said he was “over the moon” to have arrived in one piece, let alone to complete the crossing in a record-breaking time. The weather conditions were highly changeable and unpredictable and at some points he worried he’d have to call off the attempt. The crossing was filmed independently and it looks as though the record will be accepted by officials at the Guinness Book of Records.
Chris beat off the elements and waves of nausea to reach the lighthouse at Mull of Kintyre less than two hours after he left the shores of his native Northern Ireland. As well as making history, Chris has also raised money for a good cause. He has so far raised more than £5,000 for Marie Curie and is hoping to hit his ambitious target of £10,000.
The dentist was cheered on by his supportive wife Kathy and their children. Kathy is a fan of surfing and the couple have attempted various gruelling challenges for charity in the past.
Chris made no plans to take it easy after the sail and was preparing to return to work at his surgery in Lisburn Road the following day.
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