The inaugural Harneys SUP Challenge held on Saturday April 23, 2016 raised $ 4,000 for charity which will be split evenly between the Family Support Network and BVI HIV/AIDS Foundation. Photo: Provided

The adverse weather conditions could not prevent a group of paddle boarding enthusiasts from paddling from Cane Garden Bay to Sandy Spit in aid of the Family Support Network and the HIV Foundation. Assisted by title corporate sponsors Harneys, the event will be held annually to raise funds for charities in the Virgin Islands.

The event, which gained strong corporate support from Romasco Associates, Foxy’s, Conyers Dill & Pearman, Walkers, BCQS, Caribbean Cellars, LIME BVI, IPF, Scotiabank and Road Town Wholesale, saw 27 paddleboarders brave the difficult conditions in the channel between Tortola and Jost Van Dyke. They were supported by experienced paddle boarders from local SUP companies BVI SUP Co and Breeze Paddlesurf as well as three support boats.

Cheered on by approximately 40 supporters on a boat, the paddlers all reached Sandy Spit and then paddled on to Foxy’s where they took shelter from the driving rain and enjoyed a warm meal.

Main organisers of the event, Joshua Mangeot and Jadid Khan, said “We would like to thank all our sponsors for making this event possible as well as the hard work and professionalism of BVI Sup Co and Breeze Paddlesurf. We are excited that this will be an annual event on the BVI Calendar and look forward to it being bigger and better next year, along with hopefully some better weather.”