Career

Achievements & milestones

Two decades at the top of competitive kiteboarding, from a first world title at 15 to redefining Big Air a decade later.

Aaron Hadlow celebrating on the Red Bull King of the Air podium
Timeline

The record

Every major milestone, from turning pro to shaping the next generation of gear.

2000

Starts kitesurfing

Begins riding at Gwithian, Cornwall, alongside his dad.

2001

UK Junior Champion

Wins his first national title as a junior rider.

Joins Flexifoil

Signs his first sponsor deal, kicking off a long-running kite development partnership.

2002

UK Champion

Steps up to take the senior UK title.

2003

First year on the World Tour

Debuts on the world tour and lands his first podium — 3rd place at the final stop of the season.

2004–2008

Five consecutive PKRA World Championships

Wins his first world title at age 15 and goes on to become the only rider to win five in a row.

2009–2011

Video projects

Stars in two seasons of Red Bull TV's "On The Loose," plus a run of personal YouTube video series and Andy Gordon video projects — Invent, Revolve, Calibrate, and Aspire.

2012

Injured

Sidelined for the season recovering from ACL reconstruction.

2013

Comeback podium

Returns to competition and reaches the podium at his first event back.

2014

Red Bull King of the Air — debut

Advances deep into the knockout stages in his first appearance at the Cape Town Big Air event.

First event win since 2009

Takes the win in Germany — his first individual event victory in five years.

Joins Duotone

Begins working with the brand as a rider and equipment tester.

2015

Event win & King of the Air champion

Wins another World Tour event and takes his first Red Bull King of the Air title in Cape Town.

2016

Red Bull King of the Air champion

Defends his title, going back-to-back in Cape Town.

2017

Red Bull King of the Air — semi-finalist

Reaches the semi-finals but falls just short of the final heat during his title defense.

2018

First boogie loop board-off; semi-finalist

Lands the trick for the first time at Red Bull King of the Air, Cape Town, and reaches the semi-finals.

2019

TWENTY documentary

Releases a feature-length documentary marking 20 years in the sport.

Red Bull King of the Air — semi-finalist

Maintains his streak of reaching the deep stages of the event, showcasing high-technicality board-offs.

2020

Red Bull King of the Air — 3rd, podium

Climbs back onto the podium, finishing 3rd behind event winner Jesse Richman.

2021

Red Bull King of the Air — semi-finalist

Battles through extreme wind conditions to advance into the semi-final rounds.

2022

Red Bull King of the Air — semi-finalist

Puts on a masterclass of experience and technical execution to reach the penultimate round.

2023

10th consecutive Red Bull King of the Air appearance

Reaches the quarter-finals, fighting through Round 2 to face defending champion Lorenzo Casati.

2024–present

Joins Harlem Kitesurfing

Team rider and product designer, co-creating the Harlem Thrive, Hadlow Pro, and Launch board alongside Ralf Groesel.