Melkbosstrand’s very own Nathan van Vuuren (23) has made international waves after placing first in the 2025 WooWorld Championships, achieving the highest recorded jump globally in wingsurfing.
Wingsurfing, one of the fastest-growing water sports, combines a hydrofoil surfboard and an inflatable Flysurfer wing, allowing riders to harness the power of the wind to perform extreme aerial manoeuvres and tackle massive waves at incredible speeds.
Van Vuuren, a world-class ocean athlete who competes on the GWA World Tour, is based in Melkbosstrand, a global hotspot for wind-driven water sports. The town’s strong south-easterly winds make it a training haven for international wind sport athletes during the summer months.
For Van Vuuren these are the perfect conditions for a record-breaking jump. Reflecting on his performance, he said it was a day when “everything just came together. The waves at Hakgaat were six feet (1,82 m), with 25-knot gusts, ideal for perfect boosts and hang time.”
His jump reached a staggering 15,9 m (52 feet), securing him the top global spot.
This incredible leap came close to matching his previous world record of 16,1 m, which still stands as the highest ever recorded in the sport.
Pushing the limits
Despite the achievement, Van Vuuren said he was not finished yet.
“I was aiming for a 20-m jump for the event, but unfortunately the wind didn’t quite reach the over 40 knots we needed for that extra lift at the peak. I’ll keep trying to set a new world record over this upcoming summer season.”
With his sights set on breaking his own record Van Vuuren continues to embody the passion and precision that define the sport, proving Melkbosstrand’s coastline remains one of the world’s premier stages for ocean adventure.
