INTREPID windsurfers took to the water to raise money for Cancer Research – including a 17-year-old who stayed out on the reservoir for 10 hours. A dozen windsurfers took part in Sunrise Sunset 2010 at Grafham Water, part of a nationwide chain of enduranc

INTREPID windsurfers took to the water to raise money for Cancer Research - including a 17-year-old who stayed out on the reservoir for 10 hours.

A dozen windsurfers took part in Sunrise Sunset 2010 at Grafham Water, part of a nationwide chain of endurance wind-surfing events.

Tristan Drane, 40, of Sweetings Road, Godmanchester, organised the Grafham event. With sponsorship still being collected, he is hopeful that the group will have raised �5,000 - double last year's figure.

Tristan managed to sail more than 100 miles during the course of the day, thanks to the winds picking up throughout the day.

Fellow participants Marc Timmins sailed an impressive 118 miles, while 17-year-old Alex Smith stayed out on the water for 10 hours without coming to shore.

Alex, a member of the Grafham surfing club who has been surfing since he was eight, said he was challenged by one of his teachers at The Latimer Arts College in Kettering.

The sixthformer said: "I took food with me, a Cornish pastie, Jaffa cakes, malt loaf and sandwiches in a dry bag as well as water and an energy drink. I stayed out for eight hours last year. I hope to raise over �200."

Other impressive results included Dan Theze, who sailed for over eight hours, James Stewart who sailed 65 miles, and Tom Gaskell, who sailed 50 miles.

Mr Drane said: "Due to non-stop rain for the first few hours, it was punishingly cold with everyone suffering with numb hands. As the day continued the wind increased as did the speeds of everyone taking part. Most sailors were travelling at speeds of over 35 mph meaning the miles were racking up very quickly.