AN intrepid team of musicians are set to kayak 21 miles across the English Channel in memory of a DJ pal who took his own life.

The group, who are amateurs on the water, will swap decks for paddles when they take on the challenge next week.

They are kayaking in memory of French DJ Laurent Blondeau, known as Lo, who took his own life earlier this year after suffering from depression.

Peter Dutch, 49, of Rudsdale Way, Colchester, worked with Lo on the same label.

He will be joined by Richard Hales and Broken Neon’s Michal Malczewski and Kemal Corek to help raise awareness of depression.

Peter, who DJs under the name Dutchie, said: “About eight weeks ago he took his own life. Since then we have held a party in London and an auction to raise funds for his family.

“Lo was from the Calais area which is where we got the idea from.

“When we went to his funeral, we were looking at the White Cliffs of Dover on a beautiful day and I came up with the idea to kayak across.

“It sounded like a really good idea at the time, now it is next week and I keep finding myself grinning.”

And despite the challenge being dependent on the autumnal weather and the impending arrival of hurricane Lorenzo, Peter said the team was raring to go.

“We wanted to get it done this year and we didn’t have much time to do it,” he said.

“The water is meant to be at its warmest in October and I’m going to take that for now.

“Lo was part of the watersports fraternity in Calais – he was a big surfer and windsurfer.

“It seemed a really good idea to do something involving watersports, it was very apt.

“Hopefully we will have lots of people meet us on the other side and have a little party.”

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

  • Memory - DJ Lo

The journey should take around five to six hours but it won’t be without its challenges as the team are not able to kayak in the French shipping lanes.

Instead they will have to get out of the water and cross the five miles in the pilot boat, before continuing their journey.

The route has been adjusted slightly so they can still complete a full 21 miles in their boats.

“I might sound nervous but I am really looking forward to it,” he said.

Peter, who started DJing in 1990, had known Lo for about six years.

He said: “I was a fan of his music, he was my favourite producer to listen to.

“He gave me a track for the first release on my record label.

“We ended up both being signed to Superfreq and DJing at the same parties.

“I had him come over to Colchester a few times to DJ and I got to know him really well.”

Peter said the team hoped to get people talking about depression both in the DJ industry and further afield.

He said: “These things are never nice when they happen. It seems to be happening more and more with men.”

The team will find out which day they can take to the water a couple of days in advance.

GetInTheMix.com, a DJ equipment firm based in Altbarn Road, Colchester, is sponsoring the effort.

It has seen them purchase the kayak and pay for guide boats to keep the team safe on their journey.

Peter said it wouldn’t have been possible without the firm’s help.

“They have been brilliant and are getting into it,” he said.

“They are sending someone to live stream it on the day on Facebook.”

To donate visit JustGiving.com/Crowdfunding/LoFundraiser.