by Tom Bevan, SWNS

A SEA safety campaigner has set off on a challenge to become the first person to stand-up paddleboard around the entire British coast. 

Along the way he stopped off at Bude’s Summerleaze Beach.

Brendon Prince, 48, started his journey last week to complete the 3,800 mile (6,115km) challenge on a SUP.

The father-of-three was forced to postpone the launch last weekend due to the wind but finally began his epic paddle on Tuesday, April 27, from Torquay, Devon.

He spent his first night in Dartmouth before heading to Plymouth area after the second day on the water.

In total he hopes to complete the full coast of the British mainland in 90 days to raise money for charity.

He aims to increase awareness of water safety and raise £200,000.

Brendon, of Torquay, was inspired to make a difference after being an off-duty lifeguard at Mawgan Porth beach in Cornwall in October 2014 when three people drowned.

He pulled two people from the water but was unable to save their lives.

Seeing the impact of the deaths on the victims’ families drove Mr Prince to set up the Above Water charity which teaches children about water safety.

Money raised from the journey will go to seven charities and towards creating a sea safety app.

Just before his departure he said: “Today is the day I can make a difference by paddling around this island nation, improving our water safety, water knowledge and water understanding.

“Getting the water safety message to people that I would not normally be able to get to, that’s the opportunity of a challenge like this.

“Hopefully thousands more people will get the water safety message or at least understand that they need to try and find that out.”

Supported by a land team, he is hoping to paddle up to 50 miles (80km) a day and hopes to return to his starting spot in Torquay by early July.

He added: “On the South coast I will be paddling for 13 or 14 hours but when I get round to Wales and Scotland you can only work with the tide so it might be six or seven hours of paddling.

“If we get bad weather that will have a knock on effect.

“I’ll be landing in beaches and harbours everyday to rest and sleep.”

Brendon first started paddle boarding in 2008 and has already successfully paddled from Land’s End to Torquay in September 2020 as part of his training. 

If he successfully completes the challenge, he will break three world records - record for circumnavigating the whole of mainland Britain, record for fastest paddle from Lands End to John O’ Groats, and World’s longest stand-up paddleboard journey.

Will Reddaway, who is part of the land support crew, said the first day paddling for Brendon had been tougher than expected but he had made a solid start.

He added: “Brendon set off yesterday and it took longer than expected because of the conditions but he spent the first night in Dartmouth.

“For his second day he is hoping to make it to the Plymouth area. His aim is to complete it in 90 days and I will be supporting him throughout the journey.

“We are sleeping in vans at the moment - but when restrictions allow we have had several offers of accommodation on the route.”

To donate visit thelongpaddle.co.uk