Kitesurfing over Brighton Pier

YOUTUBE/FAT SAND FILMS

Brave kitesurfer Lewis Crathern soars over the Brighton Pier

Now the brave kitesurfer, who completed his "life-long dream" by jumping the enormous structure, has spoken out about the world-first stunt.

British sportsman Lewis Crathern achieved his life-long ambition when he soared through the air over the 1, 719ft long iconic pier.

I waited two years for the perfect opportunity. It wasn't something I did just willy-nilly, it was a life-long dream

It took the four-time British kitesurfing champion TWO YEARS to get the perfect opportunity to clear the Brighton landmark.

But he finally completed his monumental bucket list jump back in 2010.

During that time he would the length of the pier, measure and inspect it on Google Earth and research the ideal wind measurements and readings.

Speaking about the kitesurfing stunt, 29-year-old Mr Crathern said: "The main dangers are smashing straight into the pier, not getting enough height on the jump or equipment failure on the way over.

"All I had to do was hold my edge, hold my nerve and make a big jump.

"I waited two years for the perfect opportunity - it wasn't something I did just willy-nilly, it was a life-long dream."

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The athlete, who lives in Worthing, started kitesurfing when he was just 18 - and quickly rose to become one of the best in the world.

The champion said: "I loved the height you could get to and it seemed the things I did before prepared me to learn this sport fast.

"Kitesurfing has really taken off.

"It is the fastest growing water sport in the world and my home town of Worthing are really pushing it.