Epic surf aimed at brothers in arms
Ian Young is throwing caution to the wind to help his comrades.
The former Special Air Service Regiment trooper is kitesurfing about 1300km from Scarborough to Exmouth to raise awareness and funds for post-traumatic stress disorder.
"I was in the army for 22 years and know a lot of people affected by PTSD," Mr Young said.
"Soldiers want to go into combat but no one signs up expecting to suffer from psychological injuries.
"It was a personal goal of mine to kitesurf from Perth to Exmouth and I thought, 'Why not do it for Soldier On'."
Soldier On - a not-for- profit group which supports people affected by PTSD - will get money raised from Mr Young's ambitious project.
The experienced kitesurfer hopes to ride the ocean for up to eight hours each day, which would get him to the North West Cape in about a week. "That is the target, but we are in the hands of the wind gods, so however long it takes," he said.
"We may not make it on the first attempt and if we don't do it this time, we will try again."
Mr Young has a support crew that will stay in constant contact with him.
"Two guys will be shadowing me in a four-wheel- drive and another four will be available on satellite phones," he said.
"I'm aware of the dangers of kitesurfing and, like in the military, a lot of it comes down to risk management."
Mr Young will carry supplies on his board and camp with his support crew.
He set off on his journey today. To support his cause, visit soldieron.giveeasy.org.
