David smashes fundraising target for AoS

Alliance of Sport Ambassador David Haze has smashed his fundraising target and set another stand-up paddleboarding world record!

Last weekend (November 13), David braved tough conditions to paddle 43km across Lough Corrib in the Republic of Ireland in a gruelling seven hours, 37minutes, beating the previous record of eight hours.

As David arrived on the Emerald Isle and before he had even taken to the water, he secured the extra few donations he needed to go beyond his £2500 target.

David is donating the money to the work of the Alliance of Sport in using the power of sport and physical activity to tackle crime, violence and reoffending.

David said: “The wind was a killer. It turned on me and became my worst enemy – I pretty much paddled on my right side for the entire 43km. But even though I was faced with challenges, I fought through them. I achieved my goal and another world record.”

Crossing Lough Corrib is just the latest in a series of stand-up paddleboarding challenges that David is calling ‘Untamed Beasts’.

His last record-breaking feat in September saw David paddle 208km along the non-tidal Rivers Thames, beating the previous world record by 10 hours.

That followed on from last summer’s incredible 4 Lakes in 4 Days feat when he broke four records on the longest lake in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales in four consecutive days.

Next, he heads to Iceland in the New Year and then, next May, on his most ambitious challenge yet. He plans to traverse 33 lakes in 33 countries across Europe in 66 days, setting new world records on every lake. “Logistically I’ve calculated that I will have time to do it – as long as the weather and my body hold up!” he says.

You can still support David by donating on his JustGiving page – and in doing so support the Alliance of Sport. Our work is a special passion of David’s due to his lived experience of the Criminal Justice System and the role sport has played in his own rehabilitation.