Storm Austen sees kitesurfing world record broken in West Sussex

As winds of up to 65mph hit the coast, kitesurfer Lewis Crathern set a new world record with a 42.6-metre jump at Bracklesham Bay.

The jump data was reviewed for over 24 hours by the WOO Sports platform, for which riders are required to use a 2cm device mounted on their boards. Some 85,000 riders worldwide participate, with more than 125-million jumps recorded to date. Confirmation of the jump came on Saturday, October 24.

The jump saw 41-year-old Lewis, from Worthing, oust previous record holder Jamie Overbeek, from the Netherlands, whose 42.3-metre jump had topped the charts since April, 2026.

Lewis said: “It’s nice to bring a record like this home to the UK and to my local beaches. I have been kitesurfing storms here for over two decades, and I know these conditions. I always believed I would find the magic gust around here somewhere.”

Lewis said conditions on Friday were unique, with overnight gales blowing from the south-east and the wind turning west-north-west during the day, providing powerful waves for him to launch from.

Having learned to kitesurf at Lancing and Goring, the former four-time British champion and vice-world champion spoke highly of the area.

“There is no doubt that being born and bred here gave me this opportunity to be a professional kitesurfer,” he said. “I’m incredibly grateful to my parents for bringing us up by the beach and giving my brothers and me the freedom to spend so much of our childhood playing in and exploring the ocean.”

Lewis is sponsored by the Global Wind Energy Council, Harlem Kitesurfing, Windguru and Beach Watersports Littlehampton.

He frequently visits local schools to give free assemblies and workshops. Any schools which would like Lewis to visit should reach out via his website, www.lewiscrathern.com, or @lewiscrathernkitesurfing on social media.