A WINDSURFER is bidding to sail in to the record books by becoming the first person to make an unassisted solo voyage around Britain.

Jono Dunnett will set out on his 12ft raceboard from Clacton Pier on Sunday morning.

Ahead of him lies a gruelling journey of more than 2,200 miles – about 3,500km – some of them through treacherous waters.

Jono, 41, who lives in Hollandon- Sea, will head clockwise around mainland Britain.

The expedition is expected to take up to three months before he arrives back in his hometown, where he first took up the sport as a youngster.

“I can’t remember not being able to sail,” said the freelance IT expert. “I started in dinghies here at Gunfleet Sailing Club.

Then I learnt to windsurf and I haven’t stopped since.”

Jono says he once “scraped”

into the GB team for a world championships event – and has won the Round Mersea Island windsurfing race.

He also had 15 years’ experience as an instructor in Minorca, but has been dreaming of a round-Britain voyage since he was a teenager.

If he finishes, he will become the first person to windsurf around the UK without a support boat. He could sail up to 100 miles a day with the wind in his favour, but is more likely to average less than half that.

Training runs have taken Jono as far as Harwich and Maldon and back.

But the mammoth voyage will see him face far bigger hazards than the Essex coast can throw at him.

He said: “The scary bits are where there are strong currents and tides around headlands, or where you can’t get ashore because of cliffs.

“The Scottish coast is wild and there are lots of places where you are on your own.”

The adventurer will stay at the homes of well-wishers from the sailing community and people living by the coast at night where possible.

But he is also carrying a barrel containing a tent and camping gear, as well as a special dry bag for other essential kit.

His list of safety equipment includes a tracker which updates his position on his website every 30 minutes, VHF radio, strobe distress light and a personal locator for if it goes “horribly wrong”.

The quest is raising money for pancreatic cancer research and a charity which supports Tanzanian orphans and widows.

“It’s going to be physically challenging,” added Jono.

“I’m pretty fit, but I imagine it is going to be quite draining. It’s more physically demanding when it is windy, but you cover greater distances.

“I certainly won’t have any trouble sleeping at night!”

! To follow Jono’s progress or sponsor him, visit windsurf roundbritain.co.uk.