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Kitsurfer Jumps Over Brighton Pier

Category: Information

How do you describe a person who dreams up the idea to jump over a pier on a kiteboard, then actually goes and does it. Twice. Some people might think Lewis Crathern is crazy. We think it's inspirational.

rapanui kitesurfer jumps pier

In his spare time, Lew runs a site called Windmachine.biz dropping some interesting articles all about wind. Since jumping Worthing Pier last year (causing a media frenzy) most people let their jaws drop and remember it as a one-off event. But not Lew; he went back to the lab for a year to wait for a bigger day and a bigger pier. During this time, we were going back and forth with Lew, he wears our stuff and we promised to do our bit should he have any more projects in the pipeline.

We hadnt heard from him for a week, then on Monday we got this.

"Boys, you got some stickers for me? Tomorow might be the day. 2pm. Lew"

We suddenly twigged what was going on and literally started jabbering and racing around trying to get him the stuff he needed. Kiteworld mag were there to witness - "Lewis needed a high tide to help reduce the height of the pier somewhat and a ballistic westerly wind to boost him the required height and distance. If anything it was too southwesterly and bloody grim by 2pm, squally, raining and dark. Lewis went out for a warm up and some practice jumps, but pretty soon we saw him round the pier and come in downwind near his van.

The conditions weren't right. He said,"I was on my six but I could feel it just wasn't holding me up enough. When I did Worthing pier I was on my seven and could barely hold it down." He went back and swapped his 6m for a 7m. Unsuspecting people on the pier were about to get a shock! We hoped.

"As he came closer and closer people on the pier could clearly see his face . He was getting tighter and tighter into the corner and soon he would have to choose to jump or bail onto the beach. His practise jumps hadn't seemed big enough, but I could tell from his positioning that this could be the run. The adrenaline was pumping just watching, he must have been on fire! A really good wave came up in front of him and I knew he was going to launch. Knowing this stretch of water, I have to admit I was absolutely shitting it. He was so close to the pier, any mistake would have seen him in the railings. He launched and flew straight up over our heads and cleared the chip shop by a big margin. Awesome."

When we saw him minutes later on the beach he had a huge grin but just said, 'Right, I think I'm going to just go home now and have a bath.'

You can find more on Lewis at his website: Windmachine.biz and at www.Rapanuiclothing.com