Overview
“I’m a big believer in self-belief. All I’m leading up to here for one year, all I’ve been thinking about is this moment right here. I had a pretty big surgery one year ago, two days ago, so just to be here right now for me is huge. As they say, the scars make the man, and this is all I’ve been thinking about for one year, so dreams come true.”
James Carew (affectionately known as the “Aussie Powerhouse” and James “Storm” Carew) is a professional kitesurfer from the coast of Melbourne, Australia. Boasting a robust 85-90kg frame and immense power, coupled with an indomitable spirit to overcome devastating injuries, he reigns as an absolute force on the GKA Tour.
Career
When he first joined the tour, he was a pure surfer who disliked freestyle and could not even perform a front roll. However, through tremendous hard work, he rapidly developed his aerial skills, landing highly difficult tricks like the unhooked “3-1-3” and “toe-side shuvits,” evolving into one of the most complete strapless riders who blends wave riding and freestyle at the highest level.
He won back-to-back GKA Kitesurf World Championships in 2021 and 2022. In June 2023, he captured his first GKA Big Air Surfboard World Championship in Tarifa, Spain. Tragically, moments after his victory, three kite lines snapped during a celebratory double loop, sending him plunging 10 meters into the water. This catastrophic crash resulted in a torn meniscus and ACL, threatening his career.
Through grueling rehabilitation and rigorous biohacking (including six-day-a-week physical therapy, hot/cold therapies, and drinking Italian spring water instead of chlorinated hospital water), he made a miraculous return to the tour in August 2024 in Sylt, Germany. Even after suffering crossed kite lines in the final heat against Gabriel Benetton, he rode through 46-knot nuclear winds to claim an incredible comeback victory.
Sponsors and Brands
Duotone, Capital.com, etc.
During his severe injury in 2023, his sponsors fully supported him, covering the majority of his immense medical bills and backing his grueling rehabilitation process.
Personality and Relationships
His partner is fellow professional kitesurfer Bruna Kajiya, who previously overcame a severe knee injury herself; her unyielding spirit was a massive driving force during his darkest times. He also shares a strong bond with rival Airton Cozzolino, who embraced and celebrated his victorious comeback in 2024.
He found mental salvation in simply swimming in tiny one-foot waves early in his recovery, bringing him the pure joy of a child because being away from the ocean was his greatest trial. His massive physique prompts jokes from lighter riders, who claim they weigh “only as much as one of his legs.”
Quotes and Episodes
“I wanted to change kites for a double loop right after the win. Me being me, I went for it full speed. […] During the second loop, three kite lines snapped… I hit the water like a meteor.”
— James Carew
(Reflecting on his catastrophic crash in 2023)
“Knowing I’d be off the water for six months, maybe a year, before I’d be 100%, was tough. I had a lot of doubts about whether I could come back. Whether I was still the athlete I thought I was. But you have to block those thoughts and tell yourself you’ll make it—even if you don’t believe it.”
— James Carew
(On his mindset during his long-term rehabilitation)
Tournament Results
- 2021 GKA Kitesurf World Champion: 1st Overall
- 2022 GKA Kitesurf World Champion: 1st Overall
- June 2023 GKA Big Air Surfboard World Championship (Tarifa, Spain): 1st Place
- August 2024 GKA Kitesurf World Cup (Sylt, Germany): 1st Place
Search Aliases: James "Storm" Carew, JamesStormCarew, James Carew, JamesCarew