Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo S Series

Charles Brodel wins Qatar Airways GKA Big Air Hydrofoil World Championship

by Holly Keenan 27 Jun 2022 20:42 AEST 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

2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 1
Rising stars shine at Youth Kitefoil Euros kickoff Some of the world's best young kite foilers started racing today in southern Italy aiming to become Youth European champions. Posted on 2 Jul
World Sailing announces split venues for LA28
The boards will be at Long Beach, with the dinghy events at the Port World Sailing has said it welcomes the confirmation of sailing venues for the Olympic Games LA28 the boards will be at Long Beach, with the dinghy events at the Port. Posted on 30 Jun
Sail Canada introduces Canadian Sailing Team
21 athletes were selected based on the Canadian Sailing Team Sport Canada Carding Criteria Sail Canada is pleased to announce the list of sailors who will be part of the 2025-2026 Canadian Sailing Team. Posted on 26 Jun
2025 IKA Youth Europeans Oreview
Italy set to host the future of kitefoiling in Gizzeria, Calabria The Hang Loose Beach Club in Gizzeria, Calabria is once again poised to welcome kitefoiling's rising stars as the IKA Youth European Championships return to southern Italy. Posted on 25 Jun
Registration now open for GKA Youth events
Germany and Spain events will have U14, U16 and U19 divisions Registration is now open for the two upcoming GKA Youth events of the 2025 season. First up is the GKA Youth Big Air Kite World Championship in St. Peter Ording, Germany. Posted on 9 Jun
Whitehead finish 9th at Formula Kite Europeans
A confident return to international competition in Urla, Türkiye Australia's Breiana Whitehead has made a confident return to international competition, finishing ninth overall at the 2025 Formula Kite European Championships in Urla, Türkiye. Posted on 20 May
Formula Kite Europeans in Urla overall
Nolot and Pianosi reclaim European Titles, and Maeder wins Open Trophy Racing couldn't have been more dramatic in the medal series day of the 2025 Formula Kite European Championships. With too many passes to count, a steady eight knots and smooth, turquoise water provided a perfect playing field in Urla. Posted on 19 May
Formula Kite Europeans in Urla day 5
Momentum shifts as 16 riders head to the Medal Series Fortunes were won and lost as five days of racing came down to the last minutes of Sunday's racing to determine which women and men would head to Monday's top-eight medal series. Posted on 19 May
Formula Kite Europeans in Urla day 4
Despair and dominance define chaotic day Scrappy racing in mixed up breeze kicked off the next stage of the championship as the leaders gave a masterclass in consistency while others dropped kites and places heading towards the medal series. Posted on 18 May
Formula Kite Europeans in Urla day 3
Racing cancelled, so let's focus on IKA being recognised as clean class The International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) is proud to have been recognized as a Clean Class by Sailors for the Sea, a leading ocean conservation organization. Posted on 16 May
Excess CatamaransSea Sure 2025X-Yachts X4.3