VUntil recently, kitesurfer Jamie Overbeek was only known to us for his updates on facebook. A tour of the fields gave a completely different picture. Many kite surfers, young and old, know Jamie and are, just like us, very impressed by his kitesurfing talent. Just envious.
Jamie's kitesurfing talent is broad, so not only with the twin-tip kitesurf-board kitesurfing but also longboardkiting, snowkiting, big air, airstyle and hydrofoiling.
KitesurfPro took the opportunity to interview Jamie. And yes, if you speak to a top kite surfer with a lot of passion for the sport, even if he is 14 years old, you will also get a top interview about a young top athlete from our great sport. Read how he wants to stay all-round, about his coolest and highest jumps and his choice not to train for the kitesurf Olympic games.
What do you do in everyday life?
“Well. I'm 14 so just go to school like all other kids my age. Outside of school I often fly a kite or landboard on a field near us, I also like to play games and chat with friends. I mainly do kitesurfing in the weekends because we don't exactly live near water (Achterhoek). I do get the opportunity from school to take advantage of the really good wind days by using a sports talent scheme. ”
I do get the opportunity from school to enjoy the really good wind days by making use of a sports talent scheme.
How did you come into contact with kite surfing?
“It actually started on holiday in Denmark with a simple two-line kite when I was about six years old, just on the beach. When I was 9 I took a landboarding course on Rømø a peninsula in Denmark with a very large tidal beach, perfect for landboarding. That worked out well for me, the school saw something in me and made sure that I came into contact with a sponsor, that was fly surfer. The same year I received kite surfing lessons in Schellinkhout. I started with foil kites and after about 2 years tube kites were also added. Actually I like all disciplines, longboardkiting, snowkiting, big air, airstyle, hydrofoiling with specialism big air and loops. ”
Which kitesurfing equipment (brand, types, etc.) do you use?
“Since October 2019 I have been sailing together with my brother Sean Overbeek for, and with material from, ozone kites. I sail with foil kites such as the Ozone Chrono V3 9.0 and 13.0 and the Ozone R1 V3 18.0, these kites are ideal for foiling but also for airstyle and big air. I also sail with the Ozone Edge V10 (6.0, 7.0, 8.0 and 10.0) and the Ozone Enduro V2 9.0 (this one for kiteloops on 14 meter lines and hydrofoil for kiteloops). ”
We also saw you with a Levitaz kitefoil board. Can you tell us something about that?
“I am an opinion leader for this Levitaz kite foils from Austria and sail with the Exo 2020 freeride board, a 96 and 110 cm mast, Aspect 1 and 2 front wing (big air wing) and Bionic stabilizer with 65 and 55 cm fuselage. ”
Are we missing anything?
“I now also want to focus on strapless freestyle and I have that with the help of that Apple tree surfboards a nice Appletree Lukes Leaf board for training.
I am a brand ambassador for this Global kite pearl on the Shetland islands, started as a startup with clothing especially for kite surfers, now expanding to kites, boards, harnesses and accessories from smaller independent brands. Global kite apparel is committed to a good balance between kite sport and respect for nature. Finally, I am sponsored by the German Kite travel agency Kitereisen.com, they made it possible for me to go to South Africa for 2 weeks last February. ”
Where do you usually kitesurf?
“My homespot is Workum in Friesland, where we have an annual pitch at the campsite and are there every weekend almost all year round. That is a journey of 400 km back and forth from the Achterhoek where we live. From Workum we visit spots such as Mirns, Kornwerderzand, Medemblik, Enkhuizen, Lutjestrand, Petten and Wijk aan Zee. Usually we go to Denmark once a year and kite surf there in the vicinity of the Ringkøbing Fjord and Hvide Sande on both flat water and sea. In South Africa we were at Langebaan and Blouberg, which was a truly unique experience. ”
Which kitesurfing trick gives you the biggest kick?
"Difficult to choose, but a high late backroll, boogie loop and kiteloop boardoff give a real adrenaline boost, but also 20 meters + jumps, not to mention kiteloop variations on the hydrofoil."
What is your coolest kitesurfing experience?
"Kiting with storm Ciara at the beginning of this year with 45 to sometimes 60 knots gusts, that was real fighting but rewarded with a jump of 26,3 meters on flat water in Workum."
We were very impressed with the photos with the hydro-foiling. How long have you been hydro-foil?
“About 2,5 years now. I started with equipment from Levitaz with the Element freeride setup and the Exo board. I am mainly getting better with big air and loops with the foil.
As tempting as a chance at the Olympics is, I go for what I really like.
Do you have ambition with kitesurfing foiling?
“I was asked to train for the olympic games kite surfing 2024, hydrofoiling becomes a part of that as a racing discipline. Unfortunately that is not my thing and I do not want to focus on 1 part. As tempting as a chance at the Olympics is, I go for what I really like. I want to stay more all-round and try things that no one has done yet, such as the first boogie loop on hydrofoil that was captured on video recently. ”
When do you go hydro-foil kite surfing and when with your twin-tip?
“Depends more on the spot and the wind direction than the wind. I still foil up to 30 knots on Workum, for example, this is the perfect wind at ZZW to go high on foil, but at Whitsun on Kornwerderzand we had NNO 18-23 knots, which was enough for a jump of 18,2 meters. For big air foiling it is important that you do not sail parallel to the wave but that you can cut it at an angle. You can then use the wave as a ramp, just like at sea. With the 18 meters. I can already foil Chrono R1 V3 from 6 knots and I can do some freestyle and jumps then. The wind range is really great. ”
“Twintip is actually always possible with kites that vary between 18 meters and 6 meters. From 10 knots I can enjoy airstyling with an 18 meter foil kite and do some old school tricks and from 25 knots it will be a blast with an 8 meter Ozone Edge and I go for thick kiteloop sessions. When things really go wild and storms, only one thing counts, going as high as possible with a 7 or 6 meter Ozone Edge. ”
I would love to make promo videos and be on the Red Bull Megaloop one day and be able to participate in the Red Bull King of the Air.
You have a lot of talent. Do you have plans for kite surfing?
“Nice to hear thanks for the compliment, for me enjoying what I do is most important. What I would like to achieve is to move on to an international team and to be able to sail on the most beautiful and best kite spots in the world. I would love to make promo videos and be on the Red Bull Megaloop to stand and participate in the Red Bull King of the Air (KOTA). I also think it would be nice to share my knowledge with other kiters and to give clinics and lessons. ”
What is your life motto?
"Have fun and stay whole."
After all, do you have any tips for kite surfers?
“For novice kiters, take to the water when you are in control and when it is not too busy. Start your kite on the water and not in the middle of the beach. Inquire about the rules on the spot, always look around you so that you do not endanger yourself and others and most importantly, have fun! ”
“For advanced kite surfers, learn from each other and challenge each other, nothing better than making progress together and landing a new trick for the first time. Wait for each other when you see that someone can start a trick or a jump. Give each other space, jumps often go higher and further than expected. Please note that at each spot all levels are mixed up, keeping everyone in mind so that it remains safe and fun. From 35 knots just pounding, then there are no beginners anymore. ”
We conclude with some super inspiring kitesurfing videos and web links from kitesurfer Jamie Overbeek to enjoy and keep following him. We wish Jamie all the best and success!
Youtube kitesurf videos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Youtube Channel Jamie Overbeek
Instagram Jamie Overbeek
Facebook Jamie Overbeek
Sure, it was even fun to take it and read it yourself. Hopefully also good inspiration for young kiteboys and girls to go for it.
Nice interview, hopefully soon
more.