Episode Overview

Podcast: Kitesurf365
Host: Adrian Kerr, with Colin Colin Carroll
Episode Title: The First To 40m | Emergency Episode
Date: December 6, 2025

On this emergency episode of Kitesurf365’s Megapod, Adrian, Colin, and guests dive into kiteboarding history in real-time as news breaks that Hugo Wigglesworth has officially shattered the Woo record, becoming the first person ever to jump 40 meters. Recorded on-site at the legendary Kite Beach amid the kinetic chaos of confirmation, celebration, and the tension of potential challengers, this episode dissects not only the momentous leap but the evolving arms race of big air kiteboarding.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Record-Breaking Moment (00:29–02:00)

• Breaking News Live: Adrian and Colin receive word from their “very, very deep Wu connections” that Hugo Wigglesworth has broken the Woo world record. Instantly, they pivot the show, heading out to the beach to witness history.
• Scene at the Beach: The hosts describe the palpable excitement and gathering at the King of the Air event site as Woo officials, Flysurfer vans, and fellow kiteboarders congregate to verify and celebrate.

Technical Setup and Strategy (02:23–06:25)

• Radical Equipment Choices: Hugo details the technical elements that underpinned the record (04:35):
  • Foil Kite, Foil Board
  • 17-meter lines (“Usually I'm riding like 23-meter lines. And then I tried 17s today, and then the kite was just sitting so far forward and I was still able to confidently send it.” — Hugo, 05:15)
  • New 7-meter Sonic 5 kite
• Advantage of Shorter Lines:
  • More control, less drag:
    "The way the foil kite works, I can go upwind, tack upwind, getting ready to go jump, and I can depower the kite so much that even though I'm overpowered, I can actually depower with those shorter lines.” — Hugo, 05:47
    • Colin presses for layman’s explanation:
      “You just have less power on shorter lines. I don’t know, it’s physics.” — Hugo, 06:27

Real-Time Reactions & The Verification Process (03:54–08:43)

• Immediate Aftermath:

  • Hugo reveals that he’s already posted the record to the internet and messages are flooding in.
    “Messages are rolling in.” — Hugo, 04:06
  • “Thoughts and feelings? Well, highest fucking jump in my life.” — Hugo, 04:09

• Keeping It Cool on the Water:

  • Hugo describes downplaying his celebration to not tip off potential rivals:
    “I did try not to celebrate, because I think Jamie saw the jump. He was riding just behind me and then I did another jump just to act like I didn’t do a big one.” — Hugo, 04:52

• The Tension of Confirmation:

  • Arlen from Woo stresses the importance of verifying the record before it goes public:
    “We all saw it with our eyes. We saw two video angles and a photo. There was no question on the beach.” — Arlen, 03:23

The Emotional Weight & Community Impact (08:43–10:59)

• Kiteboarding History Made:

  • Colin reflects on the significance:
    “The fact that it’s 40, he's the first person to do it. That chase is finally over. Never happened before. Wu hit the scene in 2013... coming into 2026, and he will most likely lead the leaderboard for quite a while.” — Colin, 08:43

• Hugo’s Personality:

  • Colin notes:
    “He, despite his age and his sort of newness in the scene, he’s able to be unapologetically himself without being arrogant... But today he has made himself completely unique, breaking this record and actually not just breaking it, smashing it to pieces.” — Colin, 09:15

Anticipating the Next Challenger (10:00–12:58)

• Where’s Jamie Overbeek?

  • The hosts and Hugo anticipate Jamie—another top big air kiteboarder—making his own attempt, heightening the tense atmosphere.

• Equipment Limits & Changing Conditions:

  • As conditions continue to intensify after Hugo’s jump, the viability of Jamie’s attempt and his equipment comes into question.
  • “They think maybe it’s too much for the Sonic 5 now... If the timeline is correct, Hugo may have nailed it perfectly.” — Adrian, 12:03
  • Hugo adds:
    “Yeah, I think so. I think it’s picked up like maybe eight knots since I was out and I was like on the limit, you know... I think it’s too windy.” — Hugo, 12:34

• Strategy for Timing Jumps:

  • Hugo explains:
    “I waited for the lull before I jumped. You heard it here first.” — Adrian, 12:58

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Highest fucking jump in my life.”
  — Hugo Wigglesworth (04:09)

• “Get it on, man. I reckon get it on there early. Get it on now and get everyone down here, I reckon post it. Let’s just get it up online.”
  — Adrian (07:32)

• “You just have less power on shorter lines. I don’t know, it’s physics.”
  — Hugo Wigglesworth (06:27)

• “Here he is. Here he is. Wiggles.”
  — Colin as Hugo approaches the interview (03:54)

• “The fact that it’s 40, he’s the first person to do it. That chase is finally over. Never happened before.”
  — Colin (08:43)

• “Today he has made himself completely unique, breaking this record and actually not just breaking it, smashing it to pieces.”
  — Colin (09:20)

• “It’s so good that it’s on the dot as well.”
  — Hugo Wigglesworth, marveling at his 40.00 meter jump (10:54)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:29 – 02:00: News breaks of the world record, preparing to witness history live.
• 02:23 – 06:25: Hugo gives a technical breakdown of his setup, strategy, and the science behind it.
• 03:54 – 05:59: Hugo reacts to breaking the record, discusses the atmosphere, and keeps strategizing to not tip off rivals.
• 07:23 – 08:43: Colin and Adrian weigh in on when to release the news, the importance of confirmation, and the unprecedented nature of the feat.
• 08:43 – 10:59: Reflection on Hugo’s impact, the record’s place in kiteboarding history, and what it means for the sport.
• 12:03 – 12:58: The attempted challenge by Jamie Overbeek, equipment limitations, and strategic timing explained.

Final Thoughts

This episode of Kitesurf365 is an electrifying, behind-the-scenes chronicle of a milestone in the world of big air kiteboarding—equal parts technical masterclass, suspenseful live reporting, and communal celebration. Hugo Wigglesworth’s achievement is not only a showcase of equipment and skill, but a cultural flashpoint for the sport, signaling a new era and raising the bar for what’s possible. The entire podcast captures history in motion, ending with the recognition that, for the moment, the chase is over—Hugo is the first to 40.