Top start for the Teulade brothers' paddle record
After a full day of testing, the "Teulade Brothers" set off from La Ciotat to establish the largest downwind in paddle history: a 200 km paddle crossing between southern France and Corsica.
These two paddle professionals come from the south of France and are sensitive to the pollution that affects the Mediterranean, one of the most polluted seas. To make the general public aware of the state of "their" sea, the two brothers set a record that had never been attempted before.
After a full day of testing, the "Teulade Brothers" set off from La Ciotat to establish the largest downwind in paddle history: a 200 km paddle crossing between southern France and Corsica. a crowfunding campaign on Ekosea which enabled them to collect the sum of ?5,000, they made their first rowing start on Sunday, May 12, 2019 at 5 a.m. for this crossing, which was carried out under very heavy conditions: gusts of over 50 knots and swells of 5 to 6 metres.
"We've already surfed 4-metre waves, but we've never been offshore. Conditions are always stronger than expected and it's hard to predict what's coming. We know that the conditions will be quite strong and that there will be big waves, but we have great security with us. Yesterday, during the tests, we had 30 to 35 knots and everything went very well. We have a very good team.
Every two hours, they take turns to Ajaccio, in Corsica. "The conditions don't allow us to go to Calvi one time we'll follow a southern Corsican course from 5am to 12pm and then we'll advise depending on the weather" they explain.
For this relay, the two brothers will be equipped with a GPS point - to follow their crossing - and a helmet allowing them to stay in contact with the accompanying sailboat. The latter will be equipped with a sled (jet-ski rescue board) with a spreader to facilitate the relay. " Two hours each is a good average for resting and rowing."
An ecological dimension
This challenge will also raise awareness of the environmental cause, particularly that of the oceans. For each kilometre covered, two partners of the "Teulade brothers" undertake to donate ?5 to the association Water Family - Du Flacon à la Vague, which raises awareness among the younger generations about water protection.
"This challenge will help in relation to the plastic and environmental cause integrated into the project. For every kilometre covered, Toms and Juste Bio are committed to donating a donation to the Water Family, an association that raises awareness among young people about plastic pollution and the good deeds of everyday life to protect the oceans.
