iStockphoto / Jens Breuer
In the world of kitesurfing, there are only so many world records that can be set with ‘speed’ and ‘distance’ being the two measurables. A kitesurfer from the UK, Jake Scrace from Worthing, just nabbed a new world record after reaching a height of 1,587 feet on a kiteboard with the assist of a paramotor.
If you are wondering what a ‘paramotor’ thing is it’s those single person riding kites with a super loud fan that people ride in scenic areas and ruin the experience for everyone else because they are so loud but I digress because this new kitesurfing world record is actually pretty sick.
Kite Surfer Sets New World Record For ‘Highest Kite Surf Tow-up’
This world record was brought to life by the company Gleeds who is celebrating their 150th anniversary. They worked with kitesurfer Jake Scrace and stuntman Chey Anich to bring this all together.
Of course, if you are going to go all out for a record like this then you need the perfect setting. Nowhere in the UK is more perfect for a stunt like this than The Needles at the Isle of Wight.
Scrace is strapped into the kiteboard, as one is, and assisted up to the record-setting height of 1,587ft by the paramotor. Once there he is set adrift to float back down to earth all while hanging onto the kite and hoping that no rogue breeze comes along at any moment.
The resulting footage filmed by Gleeds for the new Guinness World Record is stunning:
There’s not a detectable iota of ‘fear of heights’ in my DNA but even this would make my stomach uneasy. He is up there, hanging onto the kitesurfing kit for dear life and nothing else. There’s no backup parachute just in case things go sideways, not that it would do much at that height. He is just floating back down to earth and trusting in the rig.
Simultaenously, the paramotor pilot deserves a lot of credit for dragging him up there because those personal flying vehicles are like the wild west of aviation. Anything goes. Just ask the people down the street who fly them around nightly without any oversight.