Kitesurf365 Podcast Summary

Episode: Alessa Mensch | Episode #431
Host: Adrian Kerr
Date: April 6, 2026

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Adrian Kerr sits down with Alessa Mensch, fresh off her victory at the 2026 Lords of Tram. Together, they discuss her journey to the win, the emotional ups and downs of competition, the pressure of performance, preparation secrets, handling nerves, and what this win means for her future ambitions. Alessa opens up about overcoming self-doubt, tactical decisions on and off the water, and the importance of her support system.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Coping with Harsh Conditions & Preparation

• Skincare Challenges:

  • The episode opens with light banter about Alessa's morning skincare routine, with both noting how brutal the French winds are on your face compared to Cape Town.
    • "No, honestly, my face is so dry from this spot… it's also this constant… rocks flying. So it's like, you know, like a peeling in your face." — Alessa [01:02]

• Preparation & Self-Doubt:

  • Alessa reflects on how she didn't expect to win and had written off her chances before the competition began.
    • "I doubt myself so much. And this one was really like… before the comp already? Nah, this is not my time to shine." — Alessa [02:23]
  • Preparation did not follow the expected path. Not being selected for COTA led her to step back, try other sports, question her motivations, and ultimately return to kiting with newfound confidence.
    • "I actually took a moment to not kite at all. I went paragliding and new sports… That time was actually, I think more important than I thought in the moment." — Alessa [04:42]

2. The Winning Mindset & On-The-Water Strategy

• Keeping It Simple:
  • Adrian compliments Alessa's ability to stick with simpler tricks—executed powerfully and with amplitude—rather than forcing risky new maneuvers.
    • "Sometimes simple tricks… done at amplitude and with velocity and with power just as impressive as…the underpowered kickflip." — Adrian [08:35]
  • Jason, her partner, grounded her before the event by reinforcing that her tried-and-true skills would be enough.
    • "Jason told me…Don't, don't even bother [overcomplicating]." — Alessa [09:09]
• Patience for the Perfect Gust:
  • Waiting out for gusts was a crucial and stressful tactic, supported by event officials who encouraged competitors to take their time.
    • "Cedric…told us, listen, it's fine. The wind is up and down… you are allowed to wait for the gust." — Alessa [10:23]

3. Managing Pressure & Competition Nerves

• Battling the Pressure:
  • Alessa acknowledges that despite outward calm, the pressure and nerves are always in play. Experience has taught her to "bite through" challenging moments, trust her routine, and stay flexible.
    • "Of course, there's always the fear, the pressure. I was so nervous that my…stomach started cramping from so much adrenaline." — Alessa [12:15]
    • "But then… you really got to be flexible and just…focus and concentrate and think, okay, what makes sense right now?" — Alessa [13:45]
• Strategic Energy Management:
  • She described making intentional efforts to manage energy for a two-day event, forcing herself to eat and even napping in a board bag to stay sharp.
    • "I forced myself to eat…I took some shakes with me… I literally fell asleep three times [in between heats]." — Alessa [15:04]

4. The Structure of Competition & Training

• Free-for-All vs. Sequence Riding:
  • They compare event formats, with Alessa noting that both sequence riding and "free-for-all" have their pros and cons. She emphasizes the importance of fitness, adapting her gym training to simulate competition intensity.
    • "When you are fit, you can handle the free-for-all. If you are unfit, you gotta boost… at the beginning because it's tiring." — Alessa [18:11]

5. Technical Decisions & Kite Choices

• Sticking With Trusted Gear:
  • Alessa played it safe by using the kite she knew best, resisting the urge to switch to Jason's newly developed model.
    • "I'm still on the kite that I was riding last year…just playing it safe, riding what I'm used to." — Alessa [19:22]

6. The Emotional High & Support Network

• Celebration and Team Dynamics:
  • Post-victory, Alessa was keen to chill, but her housemates (Luca, Hugo, Keener, Hendrick, Josh, Jason) rallied everyone for a proper celebration.
    • "Luca was the one. He was like, Alessa, you're going out tonight. I hope you know that." — Alessa [20:49]
• Value of Support Teams:
  • She highlights the special bond with her sponsors, especially Brunotti’s Kathleen, who has been a constant supporter.
    • "I think we just screamed for two minutes straight into the phone to each other on video." — Alessa [24:57]
    • "It's almost like now it's not just my sponsor, it's my family." — Alessa [25:36]

7. Looking Forward: Ambitions & Mindset Shift

• Confidence Boost & World Title Aspirations:

  • This win has reinvigorated her drive for a world championship, transforming her attitude from self-doubt to self-belief.
    • "This definitely was…I think, most importantly for me, a confidence booster…stop doubting yourself. Like, you belong here. You're doing good." — Alessa [21:43]
    • "I'm very hungry for this world title because now I realize that I can." — Alessa [22:55]

• Training Plans for Mykonos:

  • Alessa plans to keep refining her smart, selective, and calm approach as she prepares for the next stop on the tour.
    • "I'm definitely putting…gonna put in the work…in a more calm way, more selective way, more smart way." — Alessa [23:13]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Winning Lords of Tram:

  • "No, I don't think so…Every time, like, I post a story or now you're saying this, it's like, me? That's freaking incredible." — Alessa [02:11]

• On Support from the Community:

  • "She gave me a big hug, you know, like it was genuine, legit, like she was fucking stoked." (on Mika's sportsmanship) — Alessa [03:42]

• On Self-Doubt:

  • "Stop doubting yourself. Like, you belong here. You're doing good. Like, it's meant to be." — Alessa [21:43]

• On Preparing for Big Events:

  • "But then, you know, in this event you really got to be flexible and just, just be there away in the moment and focus and concentrate and think, okay, what makes sense right now?" — Alessa [14:27]

• On Team Support:

  • "It's almost like now it's not just my sponsor, it's my family…it's such a cool bunch of people that are all frothing for us, you know, amazing effort." — Alessa [25:36]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:02] — Skincare struggles and the French wind
• [02:11] — Reflecting on the unexpected victory
• [04:28] — The importance of stepping back from training
• [08:06] — Sticking to a simple, powerful competition plan
• [10:14] — Strategy: Waiting for the right gust
• [12:15] — Managing nerves and competition pressure
• [15:04] — Energy management, nutrition, and naps
• [18:11] — Comparing event formats and adjusting training
• [19:22] — Kite selection and why she didn't change gear
• [20:49] — Post-victory celebration
• [21:43] — Mindset shift and readiness for Mykonos
• [24:42] — Special call to Brunotti team manager after the win

Episode Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation is candid, supportive, and filled with humor. Alessa is genuine about both her insecurities and her joys, offering detailed behind-the-scenes looks at the physical, emotional, and tactical demands of top-level kiting. Adrian facilitates with empathy, excitement, and respect for both her achievements and her honesty.

Summary

This episode is a compelling behind-the-scenes look at the mind and methods of a rising star in professional kiteboarding. Alessa mensch's openness about her doubts, preparation changes, and the emotional process of winning delivers actionable insight for athletes and fans alike. Her focus on simplicity, mental and physical preparation, and the value of a strong support network stand out as key ingredients in her recipe for success. It's an inspiring listen for anyone interested in competitive drive, resilience, and the evolving scene at the top of women's kiteboarding.