Kitesurf365 – The Megapod: "A New Host??" (August 28, 2025)

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This episode of The Megapod is a vibrant, banter-filled dive into the state of kiteboarding, youth Big Air, and the culture and personalities driving the sport forward. With regular co-host Colin away, renowned rider Jason steps in to fill the shoes alongside Adrian Kerr. The duo talk birthdays, big air, crashes (both literal and metaphorical), youth talent, gear innovations, and the future of freestyle, all in their characteristic off-the-cuff style. Interspersed are check-ins with the sport’s rising stars and community reflections, providing a pulse on international events and up-and-comers.

1. Jason as Guest Host & Birthday Banter

[00:31] Adrian reveals Colin’s absence and Jason as co-host

• Adrian welcomes Jason to co-host, joking about the "big shoes to fill" left by Colin:

  "That's a big shoes to fill. Not literally because he's got tiny feet, but those are big shoes to fill." – Jason [00:47]

• Adrian wishes Jason a happy birthday, discussing his low-key plans after a busy few weeks filming.

  "Using my birthday as an excuse to do nothing, which is quite nice." – Jason [01:06]

2. The Evolution of Big Air and Freestyle

Reflecting on Career Trajectories and the Shift in Kiteboarding

• Adrian plays a flashback of their first podcast in 2020, when Jason aimed to do both Big Air and freestyle contests:

  "I love freestyle and I love big air, so I'm just going to do both." – Jason (Past tense, paraphrased by Adrian) [01:37]

• Jason admits that didn’t go to plan, explaining how Big Air eclipsed freestyle after 2021:

  "2021… Big Air really just, like, punched freestyle in the face and then everyone just forgot about freestyle." – Jason [02:18]

• On missing freestyle and its community:

  "I do miss the feeling of the freestyle community... It's kind of the same feeling as, I guess, going to, like, a cable park... But I don't miss the crashes." – Jason [03:15]

• On the brutality of freestyle crashes in boots:

  "I strapped some boots on... did about three tricks before I caught a front edge. Haven't touched him since." – Jason [03:54]

3. The Return (or Not) of Boots & Short-Line Megaloops

Technical Deep-Dives and Debate

• Discussion of boots versus straps for Big Air:

  "If everyone was still in boots... we'd see a lot more injuries." – Jason [04:23]

• How short-line loops up the intensity:

  "With short lines, you can hold so much more power… but you need the wind. That's all it comes down to. Wind and balls." – Jason [13:12]

• On Jetto's infamous short-line megaloop (from "Road to Pro"):

  "On camera it looks insane... In person it was 10 times as gnarly." – Jason [06:03] "To do everything wrong every single time and still be willing to do it again. I respect that, man." – Jason [06:46]

• Adrian and Jason both express amazement (and concern) at the risks and the lack of adrenaline/fear displayed by Jetto:

  "Normally in that situation, the guys would come off... just be full of adrenaline. It’s almost like Jetto doesn’t even feel that." – Adrian [09:56] "I'm not sure if he processes danger... but he’s handled it pretty well until now." – Jason [07:53/10:20]

4. Road to Pro – Behind the Scenes & Culture of the Show

Humorous Insights, Camaraderie and the "Babu" Nickname

• Behind-the-scenes realities versus what’s shown:

  "There was a lot of stuff in these episodes that I didn't realize that there were… when I was interacting with them in person, I got this sense... that everything's going smooth. And then there's some clips behind the scenes where they're just kind of tweaking out. Like, I had no idea." – Jason [16:25]

• On the "Impractical Joker" style bits, and the personalities of Steezy Pete and Jetto:

  "Steezy Pete… he's got such good wit. He's such a smart man... he's an incredibly smart man and he's really good with his words." – Jason [17:08]

• The way the show blends humor, "just being one of the boys," and not taking itself too seriously:

  "It wasn’t to look cool... it doesn't feel like I'm this noble God that is meant to teach and know everything. Like, I was just a Jetta and a Pete just being stupid. It was great." – Jason [18:46]

5. Event Watch: St. Peter Ording Youth Big Air

Youth Talent, Competition Breakdown, and Future Prospects

Key Youth Results

• Finn Flugel beats Leo Casati in under-19 Big Air after a tightly contested and light wind final.

  "Finn's progression... has been out of this world extraordinary." – Jason [23:07] "When he gets to his prime, 22, it's just going to be... years ahead of anyone else." – Jason [24:17]

• Leo Casati’s older brother, Lorenzo, describes the scale and camaraderie of the event:

  "There’s actually more people than a lot of the world stop... it's something good for the sport… to make it grow more." – Lorenzo Casati [25:31]

• Notable mention: Hugo Wigglesworth claims a new Woo Airtime record:

  "I did end up flying over three people. So you’ve got to shout at them below." – Hugo [30:36] "He breathes kiteboarding... everything about him is kiteboarding." – Jason [29:22]

• Maxwell Dahl (NextGen) wins Under-16 title with foil kites in light wind [35:33], and Aya Casabova wins Under-19 Girls [36:27].

Discussion: The Next Wave of Big Air

• Hugo, Finn, and Leo repeatedly cited as "future top three."

• The young field is rapidly progressing and reshaping the sport:

  "You just get some guys that just understand the sport better... they just have such a deep understanding." – Jason [24:49]

• Big Air’s future looks secure, no longer subject to the cyclic ebbs and flows that characterized racing, freestyle, or waves:

  "Big Air has made such a big statement now that it's never going to disappear into that cyclic motion. It's definitely to stay." – Jason [37:26]

6. Freestyle’s Revival?

Expression Sessions, Video Edits, and 'Nine Lives'

• The crew ponders whether freestyle should shift to more expressive, non-competition formats:

  "Maybe freestyle should be like expression sessions and the way Tom puts out edits... rather than the competition format." – Adrian [38:39]

• Freestyle as expression:

  "You can really, really do what you want... it gives this cool dude swagger." – Jason [39:16]

• Game of "which Nine Lives tricks can Jason do" prompts honest debate about the limits of even top Big Air athletes doing classic freestyle combos. [40:01]

7. Veteran Reflections & The New Generation

Aging in the Sport and the Dawn of Teenage Stars

• Jason (turning 24) discusses feeling old as teens dominate the field:

  "It literally feels like a few years ago that I was always the youngest... now all of a sudden I’m knocking on one of the oldest besides Gill, I guess." – Jason [43:01]

• On unfinished business and the veteran icons (Mark, Kevin) possibly returning for another run at King of the Air.

  "For sure got some unfinished business. He's a dad now." – Jason [43:27]

8. Notable Quotes & Moments

• "You can come down a lot harder and... fall off axis a little bit. But… the problem with the straps these days is... generally we ride them a bit looser than what we should. So... you can do board offs." – Jason [04:53]
• "There’s a very small handful of pros that have actually ridden 12 meter lines in wind that strong and have pulled some loops." – Jason [07:21]
• "I just don't think he processes the danger to that degree... but it's impressive. But concerning." – Jason on Jetto [10:20]
• "I think Big Air has made such a big statement now that it's never going to disappear into that, that cyclic motion. It's definitely to stay." – Jason [37:26]
• "It wasn’t to look cool or be cool... it doesn’t feel like I’m this noble God that is meant to teach and know everything. Like I was just... being an idiot. It was great." – Jason [18:46]

9. Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:31] Jason announced as co-host, birthday wishes
• [01:37] Reflection on 2020, Big Air vs. freestyle career paths
• [03:15] What’s missed (and not) about freestyle, boots debate
• [06:03] Jetto’s heroic (and slightly reckless) short-line loop
• [09:56] "Adrenaline-free" Jetto and processing risk
• [13:12] Technical talk on the limit of short-line loops
• [16:25] "Babu" nickname and behind-the-scenes moments in Road to Pro
• [23:07] Analysis of Finn vs. Leo; young talent’s rise
• [29:22] Hugo Wigglesworth spotlight, Woo airtime record
• [37:26] State and future of Big Air and freestyle’s metamorphosis
• [40:01] "Nine Lives" freestyle challenge
• [43:01] Reflection on age and changing generations in Big Air

10. Conclusion

With sharp-witted banter, technical insight, and a clutch of interviews and event recaps, Adrian and Jason deliver an essential listen for anyone wanting to understand the diverse, ever-evolving world of competitive kiteboarding. The current youth surge, the push for more extreme moves, and reflection on formats old and new (from boot-wearing to expressive freestyle video edits) show that kiteboarding’s momentum—and the dialogue around it—are only accelerating.

"You are much better than Colin, much better looking... Enjoy your birthday, mate." – Adrian, closing [42:21]

Episode ends with gratitude and a plug for Road to Pro, described as an entertaining, must-watch series for aspiring kiters.