It’s a blustery day when I catch up with Jake, speaking from his hometown of Worthing, where strong winds and small waves shaped his early love of extreme sports. Relaxed and smiley, Jake comes across as laid-back, yet unmistakably driven – a combination that has helped him become a pioneer in kitesurfing.
Best known for headline-making stunts, including a world-record jump over Worthing Pier, Jake’s latest feat saw him combine forces with paramotor pilot Chey Anich. Together, they towed Jake and his kite more than 1,500 feet above the Needles, in a daring attempt backed by construction consultancy Gleeds to mark its 150th anniversary.
Jake’s appetite for adrenaline began early. Influenced by a motocross-loving father, he competed in motocross for 13 years, alongside power-boating, before discovering power kites as a child. “I saw two people being pulled around on the beach and thought, I need a bit of that in my life,” he recalls. A Christmas power kite sealed the deal, and by age eleven he held a speed record of 52mph in power kiting buggies.
Kitesurfing soon followed. After spotting early images of the sport from Hawaii, Jake built his own wooden board and taught himself through trial and error. “When it clicked, that’s when kitesurfing was born for me,” he says. What began as a solo pursuit quickly grew, mirroring the sport’s explosion in popularity worldwide.
For Jake, it’s not just about the thrill, but the challenge of constant development. From building boards and pushing big-air tricks to towing stunts with boats and paramotors, he thrives on experimentation. The paramotor concept emerged organically after watching Chey’s flying skills up close. “We realised we could move together with the wind – there’s a Da Vinci effect to it.”
Despite the risks, Jake is pragmatic about fear. Experience, preparation and calmness are key. “If you panic, that’s when things go wrong. Height gives you time to fix problems,” he explains. Safety is paramount, and the latest stunt involved a 30-strong crew of specialists and safety divers.
Beyond sport, Jake is deeply motivated by environmental concerns. Witnessing climate change firsthand through wind and water sports, he’s explored renewable energy, designing a water turbine for tidal rivers – a project paused by paperwork rather than passion. More recently, his focus has shifted to designing affordable, flood-conscious tiny homes that challenge traditional concrete-heavy building methods.
As for what’s next, Jake hints at another major stunt on the horizon. “It’ll be one of my biggest yet,” he says. Planned for early 2026, it may combine kitesurfing, paramotoring, and yet another sport.
For Jake, pushing boundaries isn’t just a goal – it’s a way of life.
