Victoria Stone-Meadows

An exciting new film made by Great Barrier Reef Legacy’s Dr Dean Miller will be shown at Hemingway's Brewery next week.

"Kite The Reef" documents the world record attempt of eight people kitesurfing from Cairns to Cape York in just 10 days to help save lives.

The feature film covers the 1000 kilometre journey raising money for Macquarie University’s research into motor neurone disease.

The crew that took to the reef included researchers from Macquarie University, two-time world champion big-wave kitesurfer and a big-air kiteboarder, Jesse Richman, and more.

The course for the record was supported by Port Douglas’ Brett Wright, owner of Wind Swell Kitesurfing.

“It has always a dream of mine to kitesurf long distances and use wind power to see how far you could actually go,” he said.

“It was an amazing experience to meet up with the crew and was awesome to be involved and meet a great bunch of great people.”

“I got to live my dream and guide them through amazing places along the Great Barrier Reef from coral cays to islands and guiding them through it all without getting eaten by a shark or crocodile and it all went really well.”  

Filmmaker, Dr Miller, said this film is his favourite one he has made due to the dedication of the people involved.

“Having filmed all around the world, this was one of the most exciting things to film, they were out there saving lives by risking their own in uncharted territory,” he said.

“This is my favourite film of all the ones I’ve ever made because it’s eight normal people doing something extraordinary.

“It was not without mishaps but also very exciting and all for a good cause. Everything was about raising money for MND research.

“The film even have excepts of real MND patient experiences which really brings it home there guys putting their bodies to the limits of endurance raising money for people losing control of their bodies; it was a really interesting juxtaposition for a filmmaker.”

The film-screening event will kick off at Hemingway's at 6.00pm on Wednesday 26 June.

Tickets are available to purchase from Eventbrite with proceeds from ticket sales to the screening also donated to the cause.

The film, nor the record, would be possible without the support and input of Aroona Luxury Boat Charters which provided direction and leadership for the project. 

In partnership, Newsport readers have the chance to win a two-hour ‘Learn to Kitesurf’ session with Wind Swell Kitesurfing.

All you have to do is tell us in the comment section below what your favourite animal on the Great Barrier Reef is and why.

The competition winner will be announced at the ‘Kite the Reef’ film screening next week and contacted via email. 

Check out the promo video for “Kite the Reef” here: