Ferndown teenager to represent GB in World Championships

Janine Pulford talks exclusively to Adam Farrington

An 18-year-old kite foil racer from Ferndown will be representing Great Britain at the Sailing Youth World Championships being held in Oman this December.

Battling the elements is not everyone’s favourite occupation but Adam Farrington has been kite surfing since he was 10 years old and clearly loves the sport.

I asked him what his three greatest achievements are and he replied: “When I was fourteen, I became the youngest person to kite surf across the English Channel, doing it the hard way from Swanage to Cherbourg. I travelled sixty-nine miles in five hours and nineteen minutes.”

An average speed of nearly 13 knots is quite a lick and left me in awe of the feat, but there was more to follow.

“When I was 15 I became the youngest person to kite surf around the Isle of Wight.” Adam did this on a foil board.

“This year I won the British Sailing Youth Nationals kite foil race class in Exmouth. As a result, I have been selected to represent Great Britain at the Sailing Youth World Championships. This is a huge honour for any youth sailor.”

Indeed, one can only share the pride he must feel. With such impressive records under his belt at such a young age, I had to find out what support he’s had to help him achieve his kite foil race dream.

Naturally, his parents Russell and Karen are very supportive and the local charity, John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation, (JTYAF) has helped with a donation allowing Adam to upgrade his largest kite (19 metres) to the latest version.

“This was pivotal in helping me win the Youth Nationals this year,” he said.

Living close to the sea is a bonus for Adam who kites locally in Poole and Bournemouth, and most of his RYA training is held at Portland.

A student at Poole Grammar School, I asked him what his ambition was.

“Kite foiling will make its debut as an Olympic sport in Paris 2024,” he explained. “I often train with the senior British team and after my A levels next summer, I would like to spend a year on the international tour to see if I’ve got what it takes to make the Olympics in 2028.”

Being able to set a goal in the world’s foremost sports competition is a great place for Adam to be. Meanwhile he has the Sailing Youth World Championships to look forward to next month and JTYAF has already pledged further support by offering to help him with the cost of the trip to Oman.

I couldn’t draw the interview to a close without asking Adam’s parents for a comment. They said: “We are both very proud of what Adam has already achieved and can’t wait to see how he gets on representing GB in Oman.”

Dorset View will be watching too and we’re sure readers will join with us in wishing extreme sportsperson Adam Farrington all the best in the Sailing Youth World Championships, and with his Olympic ambition.