Kitesurf365 Episode #409 — How I Won the WOO Worlds

Date: October 20, 2025
Host: Adrian Kerr
Guests: Clark Robinson, Toby Wigglesworth, Maxwell Dahl, Ella Geiger, Jason Montreal, Evan Klein

Episode Overview

In this special post-WOO Worlds episode, Adrian Kerr interviews standout performers from the 2025 WOO Worlds Nations Cup. The focus is on personal stories, team dynamics, the unique nature of standout kite spots, and the evolving strategies of different nations aiming for kiteboarding’s most coveted community title. The episode dives deep into the efforts, equipment choices, near-misses, and wild moments that mark WOO Worlds, offering both technical insight and human drama from across the globe.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Clark Robinson – Senior Jump Height Winner (28.1m)

• Achieving the Goal
  • Clark set a personal best (PB) and won in the senior jump height category in dramatic, last-minute fashion.
  • Quote: “My plan was to obviously try and get a PB. And I got it and I literally went straight in because I was like, holy. I've never been that high.” (01:19)
• About Plimmerton Spot
  • Recognized for its unpredictable, extreme conditions and “lofty” gusts. Riders are drawn by its world-record potential but wary of water spouts and daunting weather.
  • Quote: “Super gusty conditions... You’re like in your mind, ‘I don’t want to be here’…” (01:19)
• The Jump Experience
  • Clark describes the fear and thrill of being unexpectedly high, stringing together heli loops, unsure if landing would put him on land or rocks.
  • Other riders, notably Hugo and John, followed for safety.
  • Quote: “I did my first heli. Normally I’d be doing that at 15 meters, but it was probably over 20… I need to stop heli looping because I’m going to land on the motorway or rocks or whatever.” (02:22)
• Equipment
  • Uses Duotone Rebel D Labs, finds them more stable in gusty conditions.
  • Quote: “No one else has them here... feels stable in the gusty stuff.” (05:31)
• Community and Culture
  • Highlights the tight-knit NZ crew, mutual motivation, and the pursuit of progression regardless of age.
• Memorable Moment: Clark reflects on not seeing a dangerous water spout, showing the unpredictable risk factor at Plimmerton.
  • Quote: “Maybe I’m just too old, mate... Kind of oblivious to it, you know, like.” (08:29)

2. Toby Wigglesworth – Men’s Distance 1-hour Winner (58.2 km)

• Growth and Olympic Ambitions
  • Transitioned from junior ranks into Olympic foiling, emphasizing the strength of NZ’s training squad.
• Chasing 60km+ in an Hour
  • Believes 60km is within easy reach; his winning run was underpowered and not ideal.
  • Quote: “I did 58 and wasn’t a great day. I was completely underpowered on a 15 meter.” (10:42)
• Strategy
  • Chose direction for flatter water, saving legs with more tacks (16) rather than pushing for a single relentless downwind.
  • Quote: “I started by plotting like a nice chart on a map and then kind of followed that plan. I plan to have an outgoing tide as well, just to help me a little bit.” (11:59)
• Gear
  • Rode the Tubinger V3, 15m VMG2 Flysurfer, and a Teri floorboard. Ride back upwind took another 1.5 hours post-attempt.
• New Zealand Community
  • Stresses the value of group chats and the inclusive, communal push for Nations Cup success.
  • Quote: “We all are on a group chat so we all message about it and we like trying to get the women's distance one hour for the nation's Cup.” (16:00)

3. Maxwell Dahl – Highest Junior Jump Winner (30.8m)

• The Session
  • Nailed his winning jump during Cold Hawaii semi-finals, despite coming back from injury and with challenging “nuking” winds.
  • Quote: “This is like my second time on the water after my injury.” (20:04)
• Gear Talk
  • Used North Orbit 2026 (standard version/pro bar), lauding improvements in hangtime and loop speed.
• Academy Life (World Class Kiteboarding Academy)
  • Describes a balance of schooling and kiting, creating an international, supportive environment.
  • Quote: “You just have school in the morning... And then in the afternoon go kite for like two, three hours…” (21:28)
• Joking About Prizes
  • Winning gear (Core XR8, Sensor 4 bar) seen as trade fodder rather than a switch in loyalty.
  • Quote: “I mean, there’s only one thing I can do. Sell it.” (21:06)

4. Ella Geiger – Women’s 1-hour Distance Winner (49.4 km)

• Wins Post-Worlds
  • Managed the top women’s distance after tiring World Champs, highlighting resilience and commitment.
  • Quote: “I saw there was one day left and I really wanted to just go for it.” (23:53)
• Route and Tactics
  • Attempt in Poole Harbour, unplanned and completed using her phone as a tracker.
  • Amassed 36 tacks, with hindsight to try a downwind route for better results next year.
• Gear
  • Used typical race setup: Flysurfer VMG3 and Chebanga foil.
• UK Challenges & Team Cohesion
  • Suggests UK lacks the internal drive and organization seen in New Zealand, with results posted more independently.
  • Quote: “I haven’t heard too much to be fair, but I think next year if we get a group going, then we could definitely be on the podium.” (27:23)
• Olympic Talk
  • Confirms kiting and foiling are set for LA Olympics, noting the unique spectacle and visibility challenges in the sport.

5. Jason Montreal – Flying Kiwis Team Leader

• Near Victory Reflections
  • NZ finished just 10.6m behind the Netherlands. Clark and the Wigglesworths were pivotal.
  • Quote: “We basically got maybe 10 to 15 guys who can consistently jump over 20 meters. There’s maybe two guys who can consistently jump over 25 meters... The rest of us kind of have to hope for an absolute storm…” (31:44)
• Plimmerton Missions
  • The decision to rush to Plimmerton was last-minute, capitalizing on forecasted storms.
• Community Building
  • Jason organizes Woo Worlds parties and weekly PB shoutouts to keep spirits and engagement high.
  • Quote: “I scroll through WOO each week and give everybody a little shout out... we really make quite a community thing out of it here.” (34:05)
• Strategic Analysis
  • Notes NZ’s tide-dependent geography limits the country’s best attempters for “most jump heights” or “distance.”
  • Quote: “To get 10 hours of kiting... you’d have to do that six times over the course of a day… Those weekend disciplines aren’t good for us.” (41:00)
• Looking to the Future
  • Recognizes the points loss as younger riders leave the junior ranks, but is optimistic about new faces and continued “give it a go” culture.
  • Celebrates the diversity and balance demanded by the current Nations Cup scoring system.

6. Evan Klein – Netherlands’ Nations Cup Winner & Team Max Height

• Dutch Focus
  • Implies the Dutch prioritize big air and “going big” over holistic team scores in other categories.
  • Quote: “I think the Dutch just care about going big.” (44:10)
• Team Dynamics
  • Credits early strong sessions and contributions from Jamie and Martha for securing victory.
• Emerging Talent
  • Notes the surprise of new young names like Ingemar Wordman pushing the leaderboard.
• Challenges of Distance
  • Evan experimented with foil distance events, but wind and technical errors made it more difficult.
  • Quote: “With the foil you need actually a lot of power to go quick. So the wind was light, so I really needed to work the foil really hard.” (45:23)
• Personal Challenge & Health
  • Recounts the struggle and persistent tinnitus after a failed 24hr foil attempt, highlighting the physical toll of extreme kiteboarding challenges.
  • Quote: “This is the most hard thing I’ve probably encountered in my life… I sort of got tinnitus from the challenge.” (46:39)
• Team Leadership Gaps
  • Suggests Dutch performance could rise if someone coordinated more team-driven efforts, noting how NZ and South Africa benefit from strong leadership figures.
  • Quote: “I feel like the Netherlands needs more of a leader to get people in action.” (49:57)
• On Plimmerton and the Future
  • Expresses interest in storm chasing in New Zealand, but recognizes logistical/travel barriers for European teams.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Clark, confronting Plimmerton’s dangers:
  “You kite there, as you head out, you’re like in your mind, ‘I don’t want to be here.’ You get water spouts... I literally got there and I was like, I’m not doing it. And then once I got out there, I realized it wasn’t that bad.” (01:19)
• Toby on pushing for more:
  “I did 58 and wasn’t a great day... Could easily break 60 on a better day.” (10:42)
• Maxwell, post-injury:
  “Oh, I was on like sixth place because I haven’t been riding because I had an injury. This is like my second time on the water after my injury.” (20:04)
• Ella, spontaneous winner:
  “It wasn’t really planned. The night before I heard you didn’t actually have to have a WOO to do it. So I just used my phone and the next day I went out...” (24:51)
• Jason, on NZ’s big air chances:
  “We got maybe 10 to 15 guys who can consistently jump over 20 meters... The rest of us have to hope for an absolute storm in the jumps of our lives.” (31:44)
• Evan, on the Dutch mindset:
  “I think the Dutch just care about going big.” (44:10)
• Evan, on the cost of endurance:
  “This is the most hard thing I’ve probably encountered in my life. The ringing in the ear... was pretty hectic... I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.” (46:39)
• Community matters:
  “It’s a small community in Auckland, and then... everyone’s out Woo’ing a lot and trying to get better, really, no matter what the age.” — Clark Robinson (06:36) “We all are on a group chat so we all message about it...” — Toby Wigglesworth (16:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Clark Robinson Interview & Plimmerton Insights: 00:49–09:51
• Toby Wigglesworth on Distance, Gear, Community: 09:57–18:37
• Maxwell Dahl, Junior Big Air Winner: 18:43–23:30
• Ella Geiger, Women’s 1hr Distance: 23:36–29:26
• Jason Montreal, Team Leadership & Community: 29:32–42:48
• Evan Klein, Holland’s Big Air Focus & Team Challenges: 42:55–53:35

Episode Tone and Language

Casual, enthusiastic, supportive—reflecting the tight-knit and good-humored nature of global kiteboarding. The speakers use language of camaraderie and genuine awe at fellow athletes' accomplishments, with a Kiwi and Northern European bluntness and honesty throughout.

Summary Takeaway

This episode illuminates how the WOO Worlds have become more than just numbers—they’re about community, risk, resilience, and evolving tactics. Whether being pushed into new heights by gusts and friends, or grinding out marathon distance sessions, this is a portrait of kiteboarding as both sport and tribe. Each guest, in their own way, shows how kiteboarding’s boundaries keep expanding—literally and figuratively—thanks to passion, friendship, and a touch of madness on the water.