World Skateboarding Distance Record for Lowe Syndrome, Dec '06
Visit http://www.boardfree.co.uk
or http://www.davecornthwaite.co.uk
Dave Cornthwaite entered the record books on 16th December 2006 - by skateboarding 3,000 miles across Australia . The 27-year-old has taken four months to cover the distance, beating the record held by American Jack Smith. His journey has taken him from Perth to Sydney... and he added another 618 miles by skateboarding on to Brisbane. Dave from Swansea - known Down Under as the "Crazy Pom" - has been featured on news bulletins across Australia. He was even offered a cameo role in Neighbours.
Mr Cornthwaite, who gave up work to go on his epic trek, hopes to raise £50,000 through sponsorship and donations for three charities: Link Community Development, which supports education in sub-Saharan Africa; the Lowe Syndrome Trust which funds research into a rare disease, and the Australian group Sailability, which encourages people with disabilities to sail.charity. He thanked his support team "who gave up their jobs to follow a bloke on a yellow skateboard across Australia". Dave's support team were Becki McKinlay, Kate Brackenborough, Holly Allen, Dimitri Nicomanis, Dan Loos, Bev Blackburn and Simon Thorpe
The graphic designer has worn out six pairs of trainers and powered himself along with at least one million pushes on his board. He can reach downhill speeds of 55kph (35mph) on the yellow, carbon fibre board, which needed two wheel changes. Big thanks go out to Peter Sanftenberg at Rolls Rolls in Germany for offering friendly advice to a stranger in the early hatching days of this mad journey, and subsequently for his constant support and provision of boards and parts.
Visit www.rollsrolls.com
Dave was inspired by Jack Smith Snr, who held the previous record skateboard journey at 3000 miles and whose son, Jack Jr, died at the age of 14 after suffering from Lowe Syndrome.
Dave commented "Jack has been a superb source of advice as I continued to pick his brains about the logistics of a long-distance skate. His three record-breaking journeys across the USA have been a main inspiration behind BoardFree, and his friendly advice left me in no doubt that the Lowe Charities - the Lowe Syndrome Trust UK and Lowe Syndrome Association USA should benefit from BoardFree. There are blisters on the ball of my right foot and on my left heel – leaving me in pain with every push.'
The calf muscle on his right leg – which does most of the pushing – has swollen to the 'size of a grapefruit.' He added: 'My body is struggling to deal with the strain. My immune system is shot and there is little chance my feet will heal completely before the journey is out. But it's great to have got this far and I owe a lot to my support team.' He 'warmed up' for the gruelling charity epic by skating 1,450km (900 miles) from John O'Groats to Land's End, where Dave met Connor (pictured above) who has Lowe Syndrome.
Dave's blog on boardfree states that "the Lowe Syndrome Trust, had a presence in in the form of the Brady and Gardiner families and as young Connor ran around scaring the crap out of everyone by testing microphones and making full use of Elsa (Dave's skatebard) as a transportation device he served as a timely reminder that ... finding a cure for Lowe Syndrome is still very much at the forefront of BoardFree Australia’s aims".
The biggest challenge was crossing 700km (450miles) of Western Australia's Nullarbor Plain desert, where temperatures can reach 48°C before plunging to freezing at night. After celebrating in Sydney's Olympic Park, he said: 'I love a big challenge. The biggest test is mental. If you believe you're capable of reaching your goal and you're sensible about road safety there's very little that can stop you.'
Dave was the first person to skateboard the length of Britain from John O'Groats to Land's End. Dave set out from John O'Groats on 30 April 2006 and took 34 days to complete his journey, which included four unscheduled rest days to recuperate from injury. He arrived in Land's End on Friday 2 June 2006to be greeted by a cheering crowd and was all smiles despite having skated a gruelling 895 miles through the British countryside. In Land's End Dave also met Conor Brennan who has Lowe Syndrome. Dave waite said: "After all the sweat and blood I think I was too tired for tears at the finish line. It's been an incredible, humbling journey, one I'll never forget. The British public has been amazing and I'd like to thank everyone who came out to support me."
Messages:
Jack Smith (previous World Record Holder) - Congratulations!!! I'm so stoked for you. To know that you are doing this to benefit Lowe Syndrome has brought me to tears many times. Hoping to see you in January! Keep pushin'
(15.12.06)
A nn Brennan - We're still watching your progress. Well done .Hope your foot will make it .I'm glad you've met other Lowes syndrome families. It's been a long journey ,stick together .It'll soon be all over.You will have amazing memories of this forever .Conor is well ,his leg is still in plaster ,nearly 3 months now ,had the plaster off once back on again he's waiting for you to finish.!!!Enjoy the rest , enjoy the finish lots of luck Conor and family. (12.12.06)
Jonathan Ross (Lowe Syndrome Trust Trustee)- Dave, best of luck with your impossible sounding journey. If you can squeeze in a few half-pipe stunts along the way then we'll really be knocked out! But either way, keep on skating you lovely man you.(23.05.06)
Penny Lancaster - (Lowe Syndrome Charity Patron) : We think you are doing and incredible job, your strength and good deed is something to be proud of. Rod's son Liam is 12 years old and a skateboard fan, he says Dave is up there with Tony Hawk - Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster.
Jono Coleman - (Lowe Syndrome Charity Patron) - Dave, we think you are mad but thanks for raising all those much needed pounds for the Lowe Syndrome Trust and the other charities. You are a legend, we love you. Jono and the team at BBC London 94.9FM. (18.05.06)
