Please select your home edition
Edition
Sea Sure 2025

Charles Brodel wins Qatar Airways GKA Big Air Hydrofoil World Championship

by Holly Keenan 27 Jun 2022 03:42 PDT 20 June - 6 July 2022
1st Charles Brodel (FRA) - 2nd Jamie Overbeek (NLD) 3rd Maxime Chabloz (SUI) 4th Alex Soto (DOM) © Samuel Cardenas

Sunday afternoon saw the Hydrofoil competition kick the action off at the Qatar Airways GKA Big Air World Championships in fine style at Bibo Beach on day six of this 16 day waiting period.

Hydrofoil kiteboarding is the fastest growing discipline in the sport at the moment and the dynamic efficiency of the equipment means that most recreational riders would find even 20 knots of wind and above quite challenging conditions. A strong 25 knot Poniente wind powered these world championship contenders for an incredible show all Sunday afternoon.

Blasting to the win

This year's biggest sensation in powerful, radical, big air hydrofoil kiteboarding held his nerve and put on an exciting performance that balanced powerful kiteloops with pure airstyle throughout, proving his rating as the rider's favourite to win was valid.

In the final he came through with a healthy four point lead over Dutch high flyer Jamie Overbeek, who himself had an incredible day. In round three, Overbeek nailed his intentions to the mast with a 10 point score from the judges for an incredible boogie loop (yes, we're seeing those in foiling now!), but then caught one of Tarifa's magic thermal 'bubbles' and rode out an incredibly long hangtime with ease.

One of the sporting world's emerging great all-rounders, Maxime Chabloz (Freeride Ski World Champion, GKA Kite World Tour Vice World Champion 2021 & GWA Wingfoil World Tour contender) finished third with Alex Soto from the Dominican Republic in 4th.

2nd: Jamie Overbeek (NLD)

16-year-old Jamie Overbeek from Holland put on a stellar performance, landing highly impressive doobie loops! Nevertheless, he could not match Charles's consistency and technical ability in the final.

3rd: Maxime Chabloz (SUI)

This was Maxime's second time competing in a hydrofoil competition on the world tour and he pushed hard, managing to land an impressive dangle pass in the semi final and mini final.

Maxime was very pleased with his third position overall as this is just one of several disciplines that he competes in, and is certainly not his main priority, yet he still managed to end up on the podium!

"Yeah, it ended up being a really fun day. I didn't think it would be this good looking at the conditions this morning. When the wind hits 20 knots, I'd usually grab my twin-tip and go freestyle, but the event today was so much fun."

Read the full article here...

Related Articles

Oman Kite Festival kicks off from Barr Al Hikman
With the official opening ceremony and race launch The Oman Kite Festival 2025 launched on the 15th of July on the scenic shores of Barr Al Hikman in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate, welcoming more than 90 athletes from Oman and around the world. Posted today at 8:43 am
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 4
ILCA 6 & 7, Men's & Women's Formula Kite and 470 Mixed Teams Wrap Up The racing for the first 5 classes of the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta wrapped up with a twist in conditions and breeze just to mix it up for the competitors. Posted on 17 Jul
Strong start on LA waters for Australian Sailors
A valuable week of racing at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta Australia's top Olympic class sailors have wrapped up a valuable week of racing at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta in California, gaining firsthand experience at the future venue of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 17 Jul
Sail Canada Regional Championships Preview
More than 300 young Canadian sailors in action this weekend across the country More than 300 young Canadian sailors will be in action this weekend as Sail Canada will present its three regional championships: Sail East at St. Margaret Sailing Club, Sail Central at Hudson Yacht Club and Sail West at Gimli Yacht Club. Posted on 16 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 3
Mother Nature teases the competitors Mother Nature teased the competitors today and made them wait a bit, but she did not disappoint; the sun came out and a big westerly built to 18-20 knots! Posted on 15 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 2
Classic Long Beach conditions return The weather conditions at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta shifted noticeably today, delivering the classic Long Beach breeze that many expect from this world-class venue. Posted on 14 Jul
2025 Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta kicks off
The first week of the OCR includes five Olympic classes The highly anticipated 2025 Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta officially commenced on Saturday, 12 July, marking the beginning of Olympic campaigns since the venues were announced. Posted on 14 Jul
Australian sailors take to Olympic waters
Regatta serves as an important test, not just for sailors, but also for organisers The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta is set to get begin, marking the first major combined event on the waters of the LA 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 12 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta 2025 Preview
The fourth stop of the five series Sailing Grand Slam circuit Over 200 elite athletes from 42 nations have converged on Long Beach to test their skills on the same waters that will host sailing events during the LA2028 Olympic Games as they compete in the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta July 12-20 Posted on 12 Jul
20 Canadians set for Long Beach Grand Slam Event
The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta will be held July 12-20 20 Canadian sailors will take part in the fourth and next-to-last event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series, the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta, to be held July 12-20 at one of the two Olympic venues for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 10 Jul
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERBarton Marine Pipe GlandsNorth Sails Loft 57 Podcast