JERSEY’S chances of winning the World Surf Kayak Championships may be scuppered because the team cannot afford to get their kayaks to the contest.

The nine competitors were hoping to take 14 boats to the competition in Costa Rica and reclaim the title they took in 2001, but their travel difficulties could become a barrier to success.

Team manager Stuart McGlinchey said they have just been let down by an airline and could now be charged up to £400 per boat in transport costs.

Now, they either needed to find an alternative way to get the kayaks to Costa Rica or find some financial support.

If they cannot get help they will have to leave some of the kayaks behind, and that, Mr McGlinchey said, would seriously reduce their chances of winning.

‘We have been training hard and have been in the top six teams in the world for the last ten years,’ he said.

‘We need some financial help towards the cost of £400 a boat or someone with contacts with airlines or freight agents.

If not we will have to reduce the number of kayaks and reduce our ability to win the event.’ The team, who were established in 1993, claimed the title of world champions in Santa Cruz in 2001.

Teams from England, Scotland, Ireland, Jersey, and US East and West, competed in the event and Team Jersey claimed the title in a tightly contested race between them and US West.

Mr McGlinchey said the self-funded team of himself, Robert Hearne, Chris Harvey, Tim Rowe, Chris Ollivier, Ailsa McDougall, Jemma Jelley and juniors David Ollivier (18) and David Speller (15), were now hoping to get the title back.

‘People are proud to know Team Jersey,’ he said.

‘When we go to California now people show up wearing Team Jersey caps.

We will go to these championships.

We are not going to be stopped by this.’ The team leave Jersey in four weeks’ time – on 14 Ocvtober – and the kayaks need to leave the Island by the end of this month.

Anyone interested in helping them out should contact Mr McGlinchey on 07797 728040.