NZ's Jeremiah McDonald sets two world records in 24-hour wing foiling session in Norway
by Trace / Insight Media 20 Jul 03:50 PDT
Jeremiah McDonald (NZL) sets two wingfoil distance records in the twilight off the coast of Nordstranda, Norway - July 19, 2026 © Chantelle Middleton
New Zealand wing foiler Jeremiah McDonald has achieved an endurance record off the coast of Nordstranda, Norway, setting two world records during a single 24-hour attempt.
The 24-year-old completed:
- 501.1 km in 12 hours (World Record)
- 804.8 km in 23 hours 37 minutes (World Record)
The distance of 804.8 kilometers is the furthest recorded distance in a single session across wing foiling, as well as related wind-powered board sports such as kitesurfing and windsurfing.
Maintaining the required average speed to break the 12-hour mark proved to be the most physically demanding section of the attempt.
"Physically, the toughest moment was the last three hours before the 12-hour mark, where I was pushing very high speed to secure a 500 km in 12-hour record," McDonald said.
The final phase of the run presented significant mental and physical fatigue due to cold temperatures and exhaustion.
"Mentally, it was the last hour and a half where I had no energy left, was freezing cold, and was completely out of it," McDonald noted, adding that the attempt was ultimately "a mental challenge, much more than it was just physical."
Following the conclusion of the run, McDonald expressed relief and satisfaction with the outcome: "I wasn't sure I could do this, but I feel a huge sense of pride and relief that I was able to pull it off and go so far."
McDonald says his motivation for the attempt came from a desire to test his personal physical and mental limits.
Norway was chosen for the attempt due to the combination of summer sunlight hours and the influence of the Gulf Stream, which provided extended daylight conditions necessary for a continuous 24-hour run.
The attempt was backed by both local and international support teams. McDonald’s partner, Chantelle, traveled to Norway a week prior to manage on-site logistics.
Local support in Norway was organized with assistance from Giske club manager Torkiel, local staff, and volunteers. A dedicated local safety boat with medically trained personnel accompanied McDonald throughout the run.
To maintain focus during the multi-hour effort, McDonald wore headphones, receiving phone calls throughout the day and night from his family in New Zealand, friends, and sponsors.
The attempt was recorded live using GPS performance tracking via the Trace app. The official performance stats and GPS replay are available for public view on the Trace platform.
Originally from Katikati in the Bay of Plenty, McDonald attended St Paul’s Collegiate in Hamilton as a boarder, participating in the school's outdoor education program at Tihoi.
During his school years, he took part in rowing and adventure racing. Following high school, he worked as a kitesurfing instructor before transitioning to wing foiling, a sport he has practiced for five years and competed in internationally on the World Circuit for the past four.