A group of surfers announced their plan today to break the world record for the fastest crossing of the English Channel by stand-up paddleboard.

The five paddlers are hoping to raise £10,000 through the challenge and raise awareness of the campaigns of Surfers Against Sewage (SAS).

In the first event of its kind, the paddleboarders will set off from Dover and aim to arrive in Calais about five hours later, having completed the crossing of one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

The event will be taking place between June 18 and 25 depending on weather and tide conditions.

If the paddlers are successful, they will be the first stand-up paddleboard team to have crossed the English Channel.

They also aim to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest stand-up paddleboard crossing which is currently held by American Michael O'Shaughnessy, who completed the challenge in five hours and nine minutes in 2006.

The team is being led by Matt Argyle, chairman of the British Stand-up Paddle Association (BSUPA) and the second ranked in the UK for paddleboarding.

The 37-year-old, from Bracklesham, West Sussex, said at the event launch in West Wittering, West Sussex: "My friends all think I'm mad and my family are all a bit resigned to it.

"It's going to be interesting. The distance is not going to be such a worry but it's crossing one of the busiest shipping lanes and the weather conditions which are going to be the problems.

"It's daunting but exciting. It's too good an opportunity to miss. How many times in a lifetime do you get the chance to cross the Channel under your own steam?"

The other team members are the UK women's stand-up paddleboard champion Claire Blacklock, 37, from Chichester, BSUPA head coach Simon Bassett, 44, from Itchenor, West Sussex, longboarding champion Elliot Dudley, 24, from Cardiff and UK stand-up paddleboarding champion Jock Patterson, 51, from Brighton.

SAS director Hugo Tagholm said: "We are delighted to have such a fantastic team of Britain's best stand up paddleboard talent to make this world record attempt.

"The event will raise vital funds and awareness for our ongoing campaigns protecting the UK's oceans, beaches and coastlines for everyone to enjoy.

"It's also a great way to celebrate 20 years of successful SAS campaigning."

To sponsor the team visit www.justgiving.com/2010challenge.