Next week I am going to be attempting a fantastic challenge – kitesurfing across the English Channel.

Kitesurfing is one of my favourite sports. I absolutely love the amazing rush you get when going at high speeds, in high winds, with the most beautiful kite acting as your only guide.

I know that kitesurfing across the channel will not be quite the same as kitesurfing in the beautiful waters of the Caribbean but I can’t think of anything I rather do, with my family and friends, to celebrate turning 60!

My wife swears I get more barking as I get older – this year I’ve almost crippled myself running 26.2 miles in my first marathon and now I’m putting my poor 60 year old bones through an arduous 24.4 miles, over water, hanging onto a giant kite! Joan could have a point!

But as Holly, Sam and my nephews will be doing it with me – at least I can claim the whole family is barking and at the end of the day they are Joan’s children as well – so she’s 50% responsible! Thankfully Virgin Active has been fantastic in helping us prepare for the big day.”

You can follow my progress on my blog, Twitter and Facebook pages – any good luck messages will be happily received too!