Jamie Overbeek, BbTalkin, and the 42.3-Meter World Record
By Irwan Kartawidjaja, BbTalkin Europe | Last updated: April 2026
Jamie Overbeek is the Dutch big air kiteboarder who holds the WOO world record for the highest kiteboarding jump ever recorded: 42.3 metres. He set a record in April 2026, the day after winning the GKA Lords of Tram for the second consecutive year. The BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 was running throughout the session, capturing live audio commentary at world record 38.8 metres altitude. But he did not stop there. Next day he came back and broke the record and set it to 42.3 metres. This is the story of that week, the gear Jamie Overbeek rides, and why the Jamie Overbeek BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 setup is now part of every record-breaking session.
- Jamie Overbeek holds the WOO world record at 42.3 metres, the highest kiteboarding jump ever recorded, set April 2026.
- The record was set the day after Jamie Overbeek won the GKA Lords of Tram Big Air World Cup for the second year running.
- Jamie Overbeek uses the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 waterproof intercom to capture live audio commentary during the first record sessions and to communicate with his coach and camera operator on the water.
- Current gear includes Duotone Rebel D/Lab kites, the ROODE Graphite twintip board, and a BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 mounted alongside an Insta360 X4 camera rig.
- The BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 is IPX7 waterproof, rated for submersion to 1 metre for 30 minutes, a requirement for any rider crashing regularly at altitude in heavy North Sea conditions.
Jamie Overbeek is the first kiteboarder in history to record a verified jump above 42 metres, a world record achieved on the day following a GKA Lords of Tram victory, with BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 capturing the session audio in real time. He is 20 years old, competes under no single kite brand, and trains primarily on the Dutch coast in conditions that most professional riders would decline to launch in. This post covers his record, his gear, his GKA title defence, and the role that the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 plays across every session.
Who Is Jamie Overbeek?
Jamie Overbeek grew up two hours from the Dutch coast, flying his first two-line kite at age six on a family holiday in Denmark. By nine he was kitesurfing. By fourteen he had already recorded 31.4 metres, the highest jump in the Netherlands at that time, and became the youngest rider ever to clear 30 metres on the WOO leaderboard.
At sixteen Jamie Overbeek set the European height record during Storm Eunice. At seventeen he reached 35.3 metres at his home spot of Workum, claiming the WOO world record. At the 2022 Red Bull King of the Air in Cape Town, he finished runner-up at just sixteen, the youngest rider ever to reach the KOTA podium. In 2024 he won the GKA Lords of Tram and finished GKA Big Air Vice World Champion. In April 2026 he backed that title defence with a second consecutive Lords of Tram victory, then, the following day, recorded 42.3 metres in the Tramontana winds still howling over Barcarès.
Fellow Dutch professional kiteboarder Steven Akkersdijk, CORE team rider and Red Bull KOTA regular, also trains with BbTalkin for rider-to-coach communication, which gives an indication of how embedded the system has become in elite Dutch big air training.
The Gear Jamie Overbeek Rides in 2026
Jamie Overbeek has always been selective about equipment. As he has said publicly, he will not commit to a single kite brand because, in his view, there is a best kite for massive single loops, a best kite for double loops, and a best kite for lift. His current gear reflects that approach.
Kites: Duotone Rebel D/Lab
Jamie Overbeek rides Duotone kites, including the Rebel D/Lab in its 2026 edition. He has been seen testing and reviewing the Rebel D/Lab 2026 against the 2025 version, and his association with Duotone is through Kitemana, the Dutch kite retailer that signed Jamie Overbeek as a partner in April 2025. The Kitemana partnership gives Jamie Overbeek the freedom to ride gear from multiple top-tier brands without being locked to a single manufacturer, which reflects the technical reality of elite big air: no single kite wins every discipline. He previously rode Ozone kites for several years, including the R1 V4 foil kite and the Edge for twin-tip big air, before his gear approach evolved to the current multi-brand setup.
Board: ROODE Graphite
In January 2026, Jamie Overbeek signed with ROODE Boards, an independent Dutch kiteboard brand. The result is the ROODE Graphite, a high-performance twin-tip developed through direct input from Jamie Overbeek over an extensive testing period. ROODE Boards is based in the Netherlands, designs and manufactures in-house, and built the Graphite specifically for riders who demand maximum control at takeoff and landing. For Jamie Overbeek, board choice is non-negotiable: as he put it when signing with ROODE, a board is not secondary to the kite, and the right board is essential to reach maximum height and land cleanly. The ROODE Graphite is the board he will take through the 2026 competition season.
Communication: BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0
Jamie Overbeek uses the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 intercom in a two-person configuration. The BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 unit and Surf Cap headset mount directly onto his Insta360 X4 camera rig, allowing simultaneous live audio capture alongside video footage. No dubbing, no post-production narration. The audio captured on BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 is what happened on the water, in real time, at whatever altitude the WOO sensor recorded. After recording a 38.8-metre jump with the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 running, Jamie Overbeek said: "How cool is it to be able to record the highest jump ever with comments."
The BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 also functions as a rider-to-coach communication tool during training and competition preparation. Full-duplex communication means all parties can speak and hear simultaneously with no push-to-talk button required. This matters in big air training because the coach or camera operator on the beach can call out wind conditions, confirm kicker timing, or report on footage quality between attempts, all without interrupting the rider's focus or requiring the rider to break from riding to press a button.
The BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 is available as part of the BbTalkin 2-person pack, which is the setup Jamie Overbeek runs on the water. For riders who want the same headset configuration Jamie Overbeek uses, browse the BbTalkin headsets collection, which includes the Surf Cap and the Mono Helmet Pad.
The GKA Lords of Tram 2026: Back-to-Back Champion
The GKA Lords of Tram runs in Barcarès, in the Languedoc region of southern France, in the Tramontana wind, a cold offshore airflow that comes off the snow-capped Pyrenees and can exceed 40 knots across the Étang de Barcarès lagoon. The 2025 edition of Lords of Tram saw Jamie Overbeek repeat his 2024 victory, this time closing out the final with a perfect 10 to finish four points clear of the field. His own explanation was direct: "I train in the most shitty conditions in the Netherlands: choppy waters and rainy weather, the wind goes up and down from 15 to 30 knots, with gloves and booties. So, it pays off training in not-so-good conditions."
The 2024 victory was Jamie Overbeek's first major international competition win, achieved when he was 18 and between main kite sponsors. He scored a 9.53 and a 9.07 in the final to take the event. The 2026 victory was a different performance: more controlled, heavier wind, and a perfect 10 in the deciding heat that left no room for any argument from the judges or the field.
In big air competition, riders wear WOO Surf sensor devices on their wrists that broadcast live jump height and airtime to the event livestream. In training conditions, riders use similar technology but the sessions are personal, and that is where the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 creates a layer of communication that wrist-mounted sensors cannot provide: real-time verbal coordination between the rider in the air and the support team or camera crew on the beach.
The Day After: 42.3 Metres, Tramontana Still Blowing
When the competition window closes at Lords of Tram, the Tramontana wind does not always close with it. In April 2026, with the GKA title already secured, Jamie Overbeek returned to the water the following day. The Tramontana was still pumping. He went out with the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 running, the Insta360 X4 capturing footage, and the coaching line open.
What the WOO sensor recorded that session was 42.3 metres. The highest kiteboarding jump ever measured. Three times the height of a standard four-storey building. Airtime above 12 seconds. The BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 captured the audio for the entire session, including the moment of the jump and the immediate reaction. There was no need to piece together commentary after the fact or add narration in an edit suite. The BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 was live, working, and waterproof throughout.
In his own words after the session: "How cool is it to be able to record the highest jump ever with comments."
This is the practical value of the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 in elite sessions. It is not simply a coaching tool. It is a documentation tool, a content tool, and a safety tool, because a two-person BbTalkin setup also means the rider and the support person on shore are in permanent voice contact through a session that involves crashing in heavy water from extreme altitude. At 42.3 metres of airtime, the landing is not gentle. Knowing someone on the beach can hear you and confirm your status matters.
We have supported professional riders across the Netherlands, Germany, and France through BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 setups. The feedback from elite big air riders specifically is consistent: the waterproofing holds, the range holds, and full-duplex communication is the only configuration that works in a training session where both parties need to talk and listen without waiting for a gap in the other person's transmission.
IPX7 Waterproofing and Why It Matters for Big Air
IPX7 is an international waterproofing standard defined under IEC 60529. A device rated IPX7 can be submerged in up to 1 metre of water for up to 30 minutes without damage. The BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 achieves IPX7 waterproofing through a screw-sealed case, meaning the seal is mechanical and designed to hold under pressure and repeated immersion. For a rider like Jamie Overbeek, who crashes regularly at altitude into choppy North Sea water, IPX7 protection is not optional. It is the minimum viable standard for any communication or recording device used in the same session.
Standard water resistance ratings in consumer electronics, typically IPX4 or IPX5, protect against splashing and spray. They are not rated for full submersion. In kiteboarding crash conditions, the device goes underwater. IPX7 is the correct rating for this use case, and it is the rating the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 carries. You can read more about how the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 is rated and sealed on the BbTalkin product information page.
For a full overview of the IPX rating scale, see the IEC 60529 IP Code on Wikipedia.
Full-Duplex Communication: What It Means on the Water
Full-duplex communication means all parties can speak and hear simultaneously with no push-to-talk button required. This is the mode the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 operates in, and it is the only mode that makes practical sense in water sports training and in live session documentation of the type Jamie Overbeek runs.
In a push-to-talk system, the rider must press a button to speak and release to hear. In a high-speed kite session, the rider's hands are on the bar. Pressing a button is not practical. The BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 removes this entirely. The channel is open. The rider talks. The coach talks. The camera operator confirms the shot or calls out incoming gusts. This happens without either party waiting for a gap, and without the rider releasing anything.
For more detail on how coaches structure this communication on the water, read how coaches and instructors use BbTalkin to teach smarter and safer.
How to Set Up BbTalkin the Way Jamie Overbeek Runs It
Jamie Overbeek uses a two-person BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 setup with the Surf Cap headset mounted to the side of his Insta360 X4 camera rig. The configuration allows audio to be captured on BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 as a simultaneous track with the video footage. Follow these steps to replicate the core setup:
Step 1: Pair two BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 units together. Detailed pairing instructions are on the BbTalkin pairing guide.
Step 2: Select the correct headset for your helmet or headgear. The Surf Cap is the option Jamie Overbeek uses. Browse all options in the BbTalkin headsets collection. For mounting guidance, refer to the BbTalkin mounting guide.
Step 3: Mount the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 unit securely in the screw-sealed case. Confirm the case is closed and sealed before entering the water. IPX7 protection depends on the case being correctly sealed.
Step 4: Confirm channel connection between both units before launching. The BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 connects via Bluetooth. Range is up to 1000 metres in a two-person configuration. In strong wind and chop, test the audio quality before the rider is on the water.
Step 5: Begin the session. With full-duplex active, both parties can speak and listen simultaneously from the moment the rider launches.
| Do | Do Not |
|---|---|
| Confirm the screw case is fully sealed before entering the water. | Do not assume a snap or friction fit is sufficient. The IPX7 seal requires the screw case to be closed correctly. |
| Test the channel connection on the beach before launching. | Do not launch without confirming both units are paired and audio is clear. |
| Use the Surf Cap or Mono Helmet Pad as directed in the mounting guide. | Do not improvise mounting positions that block the microphone or speaker. |
| Charge the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 before long sessions. Battery life is 14 hours per charge. | Do not begin a multi-hour coaching or recording session without checking battery status first. |
Jamie Overbeek BbTalkin: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WOO world record for the highest kiteboarding jump?
The WOO world record for the highest kiteboarding jump is 42.3 metres, held by Jamie Overbeek. The record was set in April 2026 in Barcarès, France, in Tramontana wind conditions the day after Jamie Overbeek won the GKA Lords of Tram Big Air World Cup for the second consecutive year. The session was run with the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 intercom active throughout.
Does Jamie Overbeek use BbTalkin for coaching as well as recording?
Jamie Overbeek uses BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 in a two-person setup for both live session audio recording and real-time voice communication with his coach on the beach. The Surf Cap headset mounts directly on his Insta360 X4 camera rig. Full-duplex means both parties speak and listen simultaneously, with no push-to-talk required.
What kite does Jamie Overbeek ride in 2026?
Jamie Overbeek rides Duotone kites in 2026, including the Duotone Rebel D/Lab, accessed through his partnership with Kitemana, the Dutch kiteboarding retailer he joined in April 2025. He uses a multi-brand approach, selecting different kites depending on the discipline and wind conditions, rather than riding a single kite for all sessions and competition formats.
What board does Jamie Overbeek ride?
Jamie Overbeek rides the ROODE Graphite twintip kiteboard. ROODE Boards is a Dutch independent kiteboard brand that signed Jamie Overbeek in January 2026. The ROODE Graphite was developed through direct collaboration with Jamie Overbeek and is designed for maximum control at takeoff and landing in demanding conditions. It is the board Jamie Overbeek uses through the 2026 competition season.
Is the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 waterproof enough for big air kiteboarding?
BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 carries an IPX7 waterproof rating, achieved through a screw-sealed case that certifies submersion in up to 1 metre of water for up to 30 minutes. The screw seal is the critical detail: a friction-fit case does not meet IPX7. Jamie Overbeek has run the unit through North Sea storm sessions and world record attempts without waterproofing failure.
How many GKA Lords of Tram titles has Jamie Overbeek won?
Jamie Overbeek has won the GKA Lords of Tram Big Air World Cup twice: in 2024 and in 2026. The 2024 win was his first major international competition victory. The 2026 win was secured with a perfect 10 in the final, closing the event four points clear of the rest of the field. He was also GKA Big Air Vice World Champion in 2024.
What headset does Jamie Overbeek use with BbTalkin?
Jamie Overbeek uses the BbTalkin Surf Cap headset, mounted directly onto his Insta360 X4 camera rig alongside the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 intercom unit. This allows the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 to capture live audio simultaneously with video recording, with no post-production or dubbed narration required. The Surf Cap is available in the BbTalkin headsets collection.
What range does the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 cover in a two-person session?
The BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 covers up to 1000 metres in a two-person configuration. In a big air training session, the rider is typically within a few hundred metres of the shore-based coach or camera operator. The 1000-metre range of the BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 provides significant margin in these conditions, maintaining clear full-duplex audio even when the rider is well downwind of the beach position.
Where can I read more about Jamie Overbeek's BbTalkin setup?
The full Jamie Overbeek rider story, including his record progression, training philosophy, and BbTalkin STANDARD 3.0 setup, is available at the Jamie Overbeek rider story page on bb-talkin.eu. For background on what BbTalkin is and how the system works, read the complete guide to BbTalkin waterproof Bluetooth communication. For rescue and safety applications, read the rescue and safety team coordination post.
