“I’m friends with fear.”
Overview
Lewis Crathern is a British professional kiteboarder from Worthing, England. As a prominent figure who has been at the forefront of the Big Air and Megaloop scene since its inception, he holds an impressive track record, including being a four-time British Champion. In 2010, he successfully jumped over the historic Brighton Pier with his kite, a stunt that garnered global attention far beyond the sporting community. While leaving a brilliant competitive legacy—such as winning the 2012 LENTEN Megaloop Challenge and securing podium finishes at Red Bull King of the Air—he has also established massive influence in recent years as an official live commentator for the GKA Kite World Tour and as an educational activist teaching children about wind energy and the value of sports.
Career
Growing up on the Sussex coast in the UK, Crathern began making his mark in domestic competitions as a teenager. He paved his own way with grit, even designing competition posters to fund his travels, and went on to win the British Championship four times.
Following his jump over Worthing Pier in 2009, he executed a massive jump over Brighton Pier in gale-force winds in 2010. This stunt was covered by news outlets worldwide and became a decisive moment in showcasing the massive scale of kiteboarding to the general public. On the competitive side, he won the 2012 LENTEN Megaloop Challenge, which was held in grueling storm conditions. Furthermore, he competed from the very beginning in the world’s premier Big Air event, Red Bull King of the Air (KOTA), held in Cape Town.
During the KOTA finals in 2016, he suffered a massive crash that left him in a medically induced coma. However, with an indomitable spirit and rigorous rehabilitation, he made a miraculous return to the same competition the following year in 2017. At the 2018 KOTA, he stood on the overall podium in 3rd place, proving his complete comeback.
While continuing to ride at an elite level, his precise analytical skills and clear articulation have earned him a solid position as an official commentator and MC for world tours and major Big Air events.
Sponsors & Affiliated Brands
During his early to mid-career, Crathern was sponsored by Slingshot, and he used their Fuel kite for his historic Brighton Pier jump in 2010. Following that, he spent many years as a prominent international team rider for the former North Kiteboarding and its successor, Duotone Kiteboarding.
Recently, he made a surprising move to the emerging brand Harlem Kitesurfing, leaving Duotone after a long tenure. He cited his desire to be more deeply involved in brand operations and the fact that Harlem’s wind turbine motif closely aligned with his life’s work in educational activism (Wind Energy) as the reasons for this transition.
Personality & Relationships
In contrast to his aggressive riding on the water, Crathern is known for his highly intellectual, humble, and calm personality on land. He shares deep mutual respect with fellow Megaloop pioneers of his generation, such as Ruben Lenten and Aaron Hadlow, and often showcases excellent chemistry with them in the commentary booth.
He is deeply committed to educational support as his life’s work. Through initiatives like the “Wonderful Wind School Tour,” he has visited schools and educational institutions for over 15 years, energetically teaching children about the mechanics of wind energy, the importance of environmental conservation, and the healthy lifestyle that comes with kiteboarding.
Quotes & Anecdotes
“Every day’s a school day.”
This is his motto, reflecting his dedication to constantly learning even as a seasoned veteran.
Following his severe accident at the 2016 KOTA, when he appeared on a British news program, he impressed the kiteboarding community not by talking about the fear or pain of the crash, but by expressing frustration at himself for not perfectly controlling the kite, demonstrating his incredibly high level of professionalism.
Addressing the social media dependency of today’s young riders, he often asks, “If social media disappeared today, what would you have left?”—emphasizing the importance of cultivating independent values and foundational skills.
Competition Results
- British Championships: 2006, 2007, 2008 Winner (4-time champion in total)
- 2012 LENTEN Megaloop Challenge: 1st Place
- 2016 IKA Big Air World Championship: 2nd Place (Vice World Champion)
- 2018 Red Bull King of the Air: 3rd Place
Search Aliases: Lewis Crathern, LewisCrathern