LLYN Tegid in Bala is to be the stage for an epic four-part fundraising effort by a paddleboarder from Bournemouth.

David Haze is to paddleboard the length of the lake, twice, to raise money for ‘Alliance for Sport’.

Llyn Tegid is one of four lakes in the UK that David is aiming to paddleboard across.

He is also hoping to set world records for the fastest time across each lake.

David told the Cambrian News about the challenge and the preparation that has gone into it.

He said: “On 14 June I will commence my four-day stand-up paddle board challenge, which I have called ‘Paddling4Change’.

“The lakes are Loch Awe - 25 miles (Scotland), Lake Windermere - 12 Miles (England), Lough Neagh - 19 miles (Northern Ireland) and Llyn Tegid - eight miles to the end and back (Wales).

“This is the start of something much bigger as I would like to roll this out across Europe and then maybe attempt the longest lake in every country in the world.”

David, who is a criminal justice system consultant, continued: “After hitting a low point in my life, I have reconnected with myself through adventure.

“That is why I take on these challenges and every time I have taken on a mammoth challenge such as this I find it helps me grow and change in a positive way as I learn more about myself and the extent of my capabilities.

“I am feeling really excited about this adventure as I think it will help me forge an established career as a SUP adventurer.

“My only issue is the weather, I am against the clock so I can’t sit around waiting for a weather window to open. I need to be right.

“I have been training hard for this, before the gyms were back open I was running 10 miles every day and then a 20-mile SUP in the evenings. My weekends consisted of longer paddles.

“Now the gyms are open, I’m down there for an hour and half at 6am and then on the water in the evenings.”

He added: “I am raising money and awareness for the ‘Alliance of Sport’, who use the power of sport in the criminal justice system to help tackle reform and rehabilitation, which at times seems to be a forgotten cause in this country.

“More support is needed, and our mistakes should not define who we are. I know the true power behind adventure and sport and the transformation it can bring, so I am all pushing benefits to supports those who need it.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fund raising­/paddling4change