News
Two SKEMA Students to Cross the English Channel by Kitesurf for a Good Cause
Between May and June 2025, Marius Lesage and Oscar Masson, both third-year students in SKEMA’s Master in Management (PGE) programme, will take on an extraordinary challenge: kitesurfing 107 km across the English Channel from Weymouth (UK) to Cherbourg (France). Backed by the Voile Océane Sailing Team association, their goal is not only to push their limits but also to support a meaningful cause.
Why choose the Channel crossing as your challenge?
Oscar Masson: We’ve always loved pushing our limits, and the English Channel is both a sporting and logistical challenge. It’s not just a personal adventure—it’s about giving purpose to our passion. Crossing the Channel by kitesurf requires intense preparation and risk management (shipping traffic, currents, waves…), but that’s exactly what drives us.
How will the crossing take place?
Marius Lesage: The plan is to depart from Weymouth and reach Cherbourg in about four hours of sailing, provided the weather conditions are favourable. The journey is long and demanding, with strong currents and unpredictable weather. We’ll be accompanied by the Normandy Sailing League, who will ensure our safety. They’ll provide rigid inflatable boats, pilots, VHF radios, and GPS beacons to secure the crossing.
Why support a charity through this project?
Oscar Masson: We were lucky to grow up practising watersports like sailing and kitesurfing, and we want others—especially those without the means—to experience the sea and sailing too. This challenge is in aid of Tous en Mer, a charity that offers sailing experiences to people facing financial hardship, disabilities, or social exclusion.
You aim to raise €16,000. How will the funds be used?
Marius Lesage: Ensuring the logistics and safety of our crossing is a major financial challenge. We need to fund safety boats, kitesurfing gear, administrative permits, and technical supervision to guarantee a successful and secure adventure.
Oscar Masson: Beyond the sporting aspect, we want to make a real impact for Tous en Mer. Part of the funds will directly support the charity, financing sailing trips for disadvantaged individuals. We’re not just fundraising—we want to build a real connection with the beneficiaries.
How can the community support you?
Oscar Masson: People can help by donating to our fundraising campaign, which will fund the logistics of the crossing and offer sailing trips to Tous en Mer’s beneficiaries. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference.
Marius Lesage: Businesses can also become partners, offering financial or material support in exchange for visibility (branding, logo placement, association with the event, etc.). Finally, simply sharing our initiative on social media will help raise awareness and bring us closer to our goal.
What have you learned from this adventure so far?
Marius Lesage: We’re learning a lot—not just athletically, but also in managing a large-scale project. Raising funds, preparing a strong pitch, convincing partners… these are valuable skills we wouldn’t have gained otherwise. More importantly, this journey proves that sports are a powerful tool for inclusion. We hope our challenge will help more people experience the joys of the sea and sailing.
