Paddleboarder aims for record-breaking challenge

A paddleboarder is preparing to spend up to five days and four nights at sea without touching land, in what he says is his toughest challenge yet.

Brendon Prince, from Torquay, will set off on Friday in a bid to paddle 311 miles (500km) non-stop, with the aim of breaking the record for the longest continuous paddle without getting off a paddleboard.

Prince, who previously paddleboarded around the coast of Great Britain said he expected to cover about 125km (78 miles) a day, although the final distance would depend on weather conditions.

"I'll stay on the board with all the kit, everything I need, eat, sleep, paddle, repeat," he said.

His board will carry enough food for seven days, including four meals a day, as well as 25 litres of drinking water.

Prince said sleeping arrangements would be one of the biggest challenges.

"I suppose it's like sleeping in a coffin," he said. "You can't really go on your side because it's too hard and lying on your back just means greater stability."

He said he planned to sleep for about 20 minutes every four hours before continuing to paddle.

The route will depend on the forecast, with options including a journey towards Land's End and back or a return trip towards the River Thames.

As well as testing his endurance, Prince said he hoped the challenge would encourage people to think more carefully about staying safe on the water and raise money for his charity Above Water.

Paddleboarding was "a great way of getting on the water", he said, but there had been "a huge amount of rescues this year and we need to upskill the people that are using stand-up paddleboards".

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