The Crossing was an awesome achievement, to get so many girls so far (6 of the 7 travelled further than the previous record) was amazing.

Watching the girls with the kites in the water was heartbreaking and totally demoralising for everyone out there. With 14 miles, to go for the first time it was looking like it wouldn't happen. I myself was passing messages back to shore (sometimes at 45 knots) whilst the safety boats tried to sort things out.

I watched as the girls dealt with the lack of wind in their own ways willing them to relaunch.I felt useless and put my camera away. This is the first time I have not documented all of an event that I have coverd. It was really emotional watching those who had to be pulled from the attempt. The build up had been fantastic! The sense of friendship, new expierences and a new challenge had brought the whole team very close together and I think we all felt each others happiness and sadness as the journey progressed.

For the remainder of the journey I couldn't really feel happy. My camera stayed in the bag until the jetbike came to pick me up and take me back to shore at Watergate. I didn't know then that the girls were struggling again trying to get into the beach. Watching Laurels kite go down was again another sickening blow.

Dreya eventually came in further up the beach, infact it caught everyone by surprise, as she was so far along.  I ran as far as I could to try to capture the moment but had to get a lift from one of the beach vehicles as I was too tired ....I don't know how the girls managed it.

Cindy came in next further back down the beach and I could get back to take the pics. Claire came in last and again I was only just in the right place. Dreyas familly and friend were congratulating her and people were crowding round Cindy and Claire. The other girls came in from the boat on the jet bike and slowly the group reformed, united in the fact that their team effort had proved fruitful. An "all for one and one for all" sort of attitude. I walked back to pick up my camera bag leaving them to savour the moment. It suddenly hit me what they had achieved and I felt so proud to be allowed to be a part of it. Walking back, a few stange glances were seen as I wiped a tear from my eye,....part exhaustion, part happiness and part sadness but an overwhelming sense of achievement!

 

That evening everyone had a meal at the Extreme Academy discussing the days events. E-mails, texts and phone calls of congratulations were received by everyone.

I would like to say thanks to everyone on this trip for their support, and the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. Friendships made around an amazing experience, something that will be a part of us all.

 

Thank you.!

 

I believe that the girls will be putting some of their thoughts and feeling on here too and we will aslo be putting some images of the girls relaxing during the rest of their time in Cornwall. So please keep supporting this awesome group of women "the girls" and their fantstic adventure "The Crossing"

 

Ian Edmondson