Kitesurf365: The Megapod

Episode: 2nd Lift For Days | Sonic5 | The Megapod
Host: Adrian Kerr
Co-Host: Colin Colin Carroll
Guests: Benny Bolly (Flysurfer Kite Designer), Luca Ceruti (Pro Rider)
Release Date: September 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the world of foil kites, focusing on the release of the new Flysurfer Sonic 5. Hosts Adrian and Colin bring both technical and rider perspectives, speaking with Benny Bolly (the designer behind Sonic 5) and pro rider Luca Ceruti. The discussion covers technological innovation, practical performance, training and competition possibilities, and the growing popularity of foil kites in high-performance kiteboarding.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Sonic 5: Anticipation and Innovation

• Unprecedented Excitement

  • The hosts preview the Sonic 5's release, emphasizing its new design and the shift it represents in the kiteboarding world.
  • Unlike traditional tube (LEI) kites, the Sonic 5 is noted for its superior second lift and usability at both pro and recreational levels.
  • Adrian: “It seems to give like way more second lift than other foil kites have.” [00:37]

• Foil Kite Uptake

  • Both hosts note a surge in foil kite use, especially at popular spots like Cape Town and Nordvik.
  • Colin: “If you’re in Cape Town, you’ll see, you know, many, many riders out on foil kites. Let’s get excited.” [01:36]

Interview: Benny Bolly — Flysurfer Kite Designer

Design Philosophy and Process

• Development Timeline

  • The Sonic 5 took about two years to develop, with direct feedback from pro riders and customers guiding key changes from the Sonic 4.
    Benny: "After a year...we started with the Sonic 5." [04:00]

• Looping Performance

  • Special focus on improving the kite's behavior in loops — less yanking, smoother catch, and better adaptation for technical tricks.
    Benny: “What you want from a looping kite…is that it’s not yanking you like crazy, that you not lose the line tension after loop, that it catches you really nicely.” [05:03]

• Technical Evolution

  • Higher arc (more C-shape) and increased aspect ratio, targeting performance without sacrificing looping ability or drift.
    Benny: “We wanted to have the spiciness of the Sonic but with the easiness, kind of a tube kite for looping.” [06:23]

Comparisons: Sonic Series vs. Soul

• Soul as Entry Point, Sonic as Next Step

  • The Soul is designed for ease-of-use (easy launch/inflation), while the Sonic is for riders seeking higher performance and bigger jumps.
  • Benny: “If you can handle the Soul, there is something to step up and that's the Sonic.” [08:55]

• Can Intermediates Jump Straight to the Sonic?

  • Yes, if the rider already has considerable experience — as long as they proceed with caution, especially in high winds.
    Benny: “If you go step by step you can go straight to the Sonic.” [10:12]

High-Wind Design, Turning Speed, and Lift

• High Wind Usage

  • The 7m Sonic 5 is intended for competition in winds of 30+ knots, focusing on reduced yank and improved lift after loops.
  • Benny: “It's designed to be used in 30 knots plus.” [10:58]

• Speed and Handling

  • Foil kites, despite having a larger span and slower turn than tube kites, can achieve high loop speed due to their increased flying speed.
  • Benny: “We really worked on the Sonic 5 to have this outer wing tip flying really fast.” [11:41]

World-Record Potential and Olympic Tech

• Woo World Record Height?

  • The Sonic 5 could potentially break jump height records, but achieving the right weather conditions is crucial.
  • Benny: “I think so...you need to be lucky with the conditions.” [12:44]

• Olympic-Tier Construction

  • Elements of the gold medal-winning VMG design (e.g., lightweight, smooth top sail) are present, but fundamental structural differences remain.
  • Benny: “We used a special cut...makes the top sail really smooth. That's something we took from the VMG to the Sonic.” [14:11]

Relaunch & Practical Tips

• Water Relaunch
  • Waves remain the Achilles’ heel of foil kites, but improved techniques and construction allow for easier relaunch in normal conditions.
  • Benny: “In normal conditions...most important thing is that the kite does not lose line tension.” [15:30]

Physics of Performance

• Arc and Aspect Ratio Demystified

  • In-depth explanation on how aspect ratio and arc impact lift, depower, and turning behavior.
  • High aspect = bigger span, more performance, shorter bar travel but broader turning radius.
  • Benny: “A high aspect kite in this case is high performance, because you can just get the full power range out of the kite.” [16:41]

• Magic Gusts and Endless Lift

  • Technique and kite design combine to maximize time in the air — navigation within a "magic gust" allows for elongated flight times.
  • Benny: “The biggest improvement...vertical lift. So when you take off, the car is really flying far above your head. So you have really vertically takeoff…this combination just gives you the tools to navigate those magic gusts the best way.” [20:35]

Interview: Luca Ceruti — Pro Rider Perspective

Personal Foil Journey and Learning Curve

• Switching to Foil Kites

  • Luca shares how his first experience with a foil kite, powered by a downloop, convinced him of its future.
  • Luca: “I saw the down loop on it and it just lifted me back up. And I was like, cap, this is the future.” [29:08]

• Adapting for Newcomers

  • While there’s a learning curve, particularly for timing and technique, most competent kiters can switch to foils without extra lessons.
  • Luca: “It's so simple...that you don't need an extra lesson to use this kite.” [30:24]

Unique Foil Kite Sensations

• Extra Hang Time

  • Extended air time — up to three more seconds than on typical LEI kites — is a major advantage.
  • Luca: “You get like three extra seconds more than a normal kite.” [29:33]

• Downloops and Low Loops

  • New design focus allows for aggressive and low loops akin to those on inflatables/LEIs.
  • Luca: “If you can do it on the Soul, like, Evan can do it and I've already seen him do it on the Sonic 5...there's some pretty gnarly loops coming.” [32:58]

Competition Intent and Gear Choices

• Sonic 5 as a Competitive Option

  • With innovations focused on loopability and hang time, Luca is targeting the Sonic 7m as a direct competitor to LEI 9/10m kites for high-level contests.
  • Luca: “The hang time you get after the loop on that, like, second lift, it's unmatched to any other kite in the market.” [33:36]

• Choosing the Right Size

  • For average (75-80kg) male riders: a 12m Sonic 5; for females: 10m. The 7m is recommended for lighter riders and more wind.
  • Luca: “Let's go men. I'd recommend 12. And let's go female. I recommend 10.” [36:09]

• Switching Between LEI and Foil Kites

  • Luca uses foil kites from 10m up; smaller sizes are reserved for LEIs.
  • Luca: “I've got 18, 15, 12, 10 foil kites and then I've got 10, 9, 6, 7, 6, 5 inflatable kite.” [35:35]

Set Up and Practical Advice

• Quick Launches with Academy Help
  • The Flysurfer Academy resources help riders master foil kite setup, offering techniques Luca himself helped test.
  • Luca: “This foil kite academy is really going to show everyone how to launch a foil kite the safest but fastest way possible.” [34:30]

The Future in Competition

• Sonic 5 in King of the Air?
  • Benny and Luca believe we’ll see multiple foil kites in top-tier competitions, especially in sub-40 knot conditions.
  • Benny: “Everything below 35, 40ish knots, the chances are really high...it’s not the only foil kite.” [27:03]
  • Luca: “The technology and the work that's been put into the foil kites this year has stood out a lot more...we're really going to see this kiting comps.” [37:07]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Colin: "Catastrophic equipment failure." [00:17]
  A tongue-in-cheek reference to the risky side of cutting-edge gear and big-air attempts.

• Benny Bolly: "But the biggest point to adapt to is the timing. So it’s the timing for the takeoff, it's a timing for when do I steer the kite forward, doing the jump and so on. And that's a huge learning curve." [07:34]

• Luca Ceruti: "For me, when I first had this experience on this foil kite, I saw this down loop lift me up. And I think that’s an experience that anyone else can do." [29:33]

• Benny Bolly: "What foil clients really hate is waves, especially waves breaking on them." [15:30]

• Benny Bolly: “But now to see kind of the final product...Hugo witnessing Luca doing all his tricks on a foil height with just 5 meters to 8 meters more height than everyone else on the spot. He was like just going nuts and going crazy and just changed into his wetsuit and, you know, went for it. And yeah, this session was really kind of also eye opening for me…” [22:18]

Key Timestamps for Major Segments

• Intro & Episode Overview: 00:00 – 02:09
• Host Field Report (Adrian rides at KSN Nordvik, firsthand foil kite impressions): 02:09 – 03:46
• Interview: Benny Bolly (Designer) – Full Technical Deep Dive: 03:46 – 28:10
• Interview: Luca Ceruti (Pro Rider) – Real-World Rider Experience: 28:47 – 37:37
• Final Reactions, Takeaway & Outro: 37:37 – 39:10

Episode Tone & Language

• Conversational, technical yet accessible, with a sprinkling of humor and self-deprecation.
• Hosts are candid about their own learning curves and mistakes, and are clearly enthusiastic about innovation in kiteboarding.

Recommendations & Takeaways

• The Sonic 5 represents a leap forward in foil kite performance, especially for those seeking bigger, longer, and safer jumps.
• Both designer and rider recommend not being intimidated: with resources like the Flysurfer Academy, new users can safely and quickly transition.
• As gear and rider skills evolve, we can expect foil kites to play a growing role in competitions and on recreational beaches alike.

“I just think the uptake is going to continue and they're going to become more and more popular around the world.”
— Adrian Kerr [01:36]

“The hang time you get after the loop on that, like, second lift, it's unmatched to any other kite in the market. And I know that's a bold statement, but it's true because I've experienced it and time's gonna tell.”
— Luca Ceruti [33:36]