Thanawat “Shane” Promwaen in race against time to complete
the epic 107 km crossing before his 9th birthday on February 11
All eight-year-old Shane wants for his next birthday is the claim to fame that he has windsurfed across the Gulf of Thailand – an epic trip of 107 kilometres (66 miles)!
And tomorrow (Wednesday 7th February) is the big day because wind conditions are finally right for Thanawat “Shane” Promwaen of Pattaya to take up the challenge – just 3 days before his ninth birthday on February 11.
Young Shane excels at “wing foiling” and “kite foiling” – a hydro-foil lifts the board above the water – and plans to enter international competitions this year on an ambitious journey to becoming the youngest wing foiling world champion and representing Thailand at the Olympics.
This will be the wonder boy’s third attempt to scud across the Gulf of Thailand, in the hope weather conditions won’t let him down this time. His last attempt was scuppered on January 24, when the wind dropped suddenly after 50 km had been covered.
Shane’s parents, Sam & Woon, will be on tenterhooks as their plucky son braves the waves from Hua Hin to Pattaya– to become the youngest windsurfer ever to make the crossing by kite foil.
Thailand’s intrepid windsurfing star-in-the-making will be flagged-off from Surfspot in Hua Hin and will land at Pattaya Kitesurfing Clubloongchat on Na Jomtien Beach.
Shane began his windsurfing career at the tender age of three and now balances studies at Satit Udomseuksa School in Pattaya with an intensive training schedule that sees him on the water for up to five hours a day, under the guidance of his parents.
Not surprisingly, he’s too young to compete, so relies on special invitations to adult competitions. So far, Shane has five kite foiling and five wing foiling adult races under his belt – and names American water sports sensation Kai Lenny as his biggest influence.
Follow Shane's progress via his Facebook page (@shane.wing.foiler), website (shanethewingfoiler.com) or LINE account (@shane.wingfoiler). Prospective sponsors wishing to help Shane compete internationally are invited to visit https://makeachamp.com/SHANEthewingfoiler.
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