British Kitesurfing Champion Promotes Offshore Wind Energy Benefits

Four-time British Kitesurfing Champion Lewis Crathern has recently partnered with Global Marine Energy Inc. to raise awareness on the power of offshore wind farms. The two will go to Baltimore next week to run demonstrations and workshops for attendees.

Global Marine Energy will also be showcasing the type of innovative equipment that would be used to service North American offshore transmission projects and offshore windfarms, including its innovative underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV), 'Predator' as well as designs for a pioneering new cable installation vessel.

Pulling off two amazing stunts, successfully jumping Worthing and Brighton Piers, Crathern is also the star of a 30 minute film documentary called The Man that Touched the Sky

"Kitesurfing is incredible sport to be involved in. Using the wind and feeling connected with the environment changes your life," said Lewis Crathern.

"It has become my passion to pass this on to people in one way or another. So far I have found it to be an amazing tool to educate young people about the environment, thinking eco and leading a healthy lifestyle, and this partnership with Global Marine takes it to the next level," he added.

"Since our first involvement in offshore wind over ten years ago, we've noticed that young people have a great enthusiasm for the industry and how offshore wind might be part of the answer for our energy future," said Joel Whitman, CEO of Global Marine Energy, Inc.

 "Through our partnership with Lewis Crathern – a champion kitesurfer and a passionate proponent of offshore wind energy – we hope to connect with that enthusiastic audience and help inspire the industry's next generation," Whitman added.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced it has decided to invest no less than $43 million over a period if five years in  41 related projects across 20 states.

The money are to be used to speed technical innovations, lower costs, and shorten the timeline for deploying offshore wind energy systems.