The 'Round the Isle of Man' sea kayak circumnavigation record was smashed by 18 year old Kim Tastagh yesterday, completing the 115km in 13 hours 07 minutes, using a standard touring Sea Kayak (a Sea Kayaking UK Explorer).
Conditions were excellent, if not a little hot for a lap of the island. The younger brother of Keirron Tastagh, owner of Adventure Sports centre Adventurous Experiences where Kim also works, set off from Peel Beach at 4.20am and returned at 17:27. Kim also becomes the youngest person to complete a non stop circumnavigation of the island solo.
The previous record using a standard touring sea kayak was held by George Shaw who recorded a time of 13 hours and 33 minutes in March 2012. The outright fastest kayak record was set by John Willacy using a fast touring boat, a Rockpool Taran in July 2010 with a time of 12 hours, 36 minutes, 32 seconds.
Kim said "That was the longest 13 hours and 7 minutes of my life but a new record! I just hope George (Shaw) gives it a week before beating the new time!"
Photo - Kim Tastagh with a basking shark off Peel
