British kitesurfer and Red Bull athlete Tom Bridge has turned a cruise ship into a remarkable kitesurfing playground, launching himself from the 16th deck of Virgin Voyages' Resilient Lady, an incredible 129 feet above the sea.
As the ship anchored near the stunning Greek island of Delos, passengers were left speechless as Bridge took the bold leap. "It was probably the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done with a kite," said the 23-year-old athlete. "We had scoped out the ship several times, and each time we looked over the edge, it was impossible not to think, ‘Wow, that’s really high."
When the moment arrived, Bridge didn’t flinch. "With the kite in my hands and my feet locked in, I avoided looking down. I just went for it. The kite pulled me up, and before I knew it, I was on the water."
@redbulluk jumping off a 130ft cruise ship #redbull #givesyouwiiings #kitesurfing @Virgin Voyages ♬ original sound - Red Bull UK
This jaw-dropping feat required more than just bravery; it involved careful planning and preparation. “We’d been working on making this happen for over a year and a half,” Bridge said. “A cruise ship is always on the move, so we didn’t know for sure if it would be possible until the very last second." Given the ship’s tight schedule and unpredictable wind conditions, Bridge had a narrow window to execute the jump.
As the Resilient Lady continued its journey through the Greek Islands, passengers and crew were treated to an extraordinary display of talent, precision, and fearlessness.
Originally from Exmouth, Bridge has strong roots in the kitesurfing community, and he shares a longstanding connection with Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, a fellow enthusiast of the sport. In 2013, Branson, along with hundreds of other kitesurfers—including a then 12-year-old Bridge—set a Guinness World Record for the largest parade of kitesurfers to complete a one-mile course.
Commenting on Bridge’s daring achievement, Branson said, "It takes a unique blend of skill and courage to pull off a jump like that—what an incredible accomplishment! As someone who loves kitesurfing at my home on Necker Island, seeing Tom jump from deck 16 of Resilient Lady is truly epic."
