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- [00:01]
A
Welcome to the kitesurf 365 podcast.
- [00:04]
B
Welcome back to the show. I hope you all had a great weekend. I know it's Easter Monday, but I have a lot of content to get out this week. Today I'm joined by Alyssa Minch. I'm going to have Jamie over be gone tomorrow. I thought I'd break up the Jamie content because we covered his Woo record over the weekend. Alyssa joins me today to talk about the biggest win of her career. We talk about dealing with that pressure, overcoming doubt and overcoming the nerves. And Alyssa delivered when it mattered most. Don't forget to follow me at kitesurf365 for all the latest episodes. Ladies and gentlemen, Alyssa Minch. I have literally got Alyssa out of bed for this. Thank you so much.
- [00:50]
A
No, you're welcome. I feel like in the wrong movie, doing my, like, beauty routine here with
- [00:58]
B
even cut this part and put it on Instagram so people can see your beauty routines in the morning.
- [01:02]
A
Put cream in my face. No, honestly, my face is so dry from this spot. It's. It's something else. Like, I thought Cape Town was hectic with sun and stuff, but go to
- [01:15]
B
France and you think it's just that dry wind.
- [01:18]
A
It's the dry wind, the cold, obviously, that gets it out of you, the salty water. And then it's also this constant. Not even sand. It's rocks flying. So it's like, you know, like a peeling in your face.
- [01:36]
B
I think I heard somewhere that in the middle of winter in Lords of Tram, some of the boys, they put Vaseline on their face when they go kite surfing to stay warm to help them.
- [01:44]
A
You know, I was actually doubting myself. I was like, what's going on with my face? My eyes were literally pulling down from the dry skin. What is going on? So I asked the guys, I was like, am I the only one? And they're like, no, we've been putting cream in our faces. Never happened. So, yeah, that's actually a smart move. I might think of that next.
- [02:05]
B
Well, what about this one? Alyssa Minch, Lords of tram champion, 2026. I mean, has that even sunk in yet? How does that feel?
- [02:12]
A
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. I also. Because I really didn't expect this result going into the comp. But, you know, sometimes it's. I think, yeah, especially a learning lesson for me. I doubt myself so much. And this one was really like. I was like, Ah, before the comp already? Nah, this is not my time to shine. You know when you're like, you're nervous a little bit and you already write it off and actually the preparation I had for this comp was probably perfect for what I needed, but, you know, it's always like, you look at the others, you think, oh, my God, everybody's progressing here. Also, shout out to Aya, she's been progressing so much. I was like, oh, my God, new generation is coming. This is it, you know. So, yeah, it was, it was quite a surprising and I mean, yeah, very emotional result.
- [03:17]
B
I love that scene when you come to the beach, even though the watch has told you of one, you still can't believe it. And I just, I love when Mika just comes in on the side, then gives you a big cuddle. You know, it's. And it's a classic. I know Mika comes back when she puts the kite down and gives you another hug, but I really love that. Right? It's just the epitome of a champion. And Mika comes over and just saying, you know, congratulations, it's your time. I mean, that's beautiful from someone like Mika, right, for you to experience up close.
- [03:42]
A
Yeah. And she gave me a big hug, you know, like it was genuine legit, like she was fucking stoked. I'm sorry my language. But yeah, it was actually proper. But the funny thing is our watch, because I think Lana had a crash where she body dragged for quite a bit and our watch stopped working after the third or fourth trick. So we actually had no idea why we were up there, what was going on. So that was wise. Actually, I had no clue when I rode back, I had no idea.
- [04:14]
B
You were just mentioning that your preparation for this was perfect. What did you do differently? I mean, listen, I know that you travel with J, Jason, Luca and Josh and they don't give you an opportunity. If you're out there, they expect you to be there. What made this preparation so good?
- [04:29]
A
It's actually not what you expect. Probably after not being selected in Cota, this was like a real, like waking for me because I was, I was really hoping for it and I was so keen to compete. But also my entry video wasn't good enough, so I. And then there's also the topic of my right foot forward side. I'm usually goofy, so my. Yeah, my boogies and front rotations are all to the right. So I just actually at the beginning I was super hyped. Oh, my God, I need to train non stop. And then after a while I realized I need to step back a little bit, rethink what I'm doing right now because it's now the second year that I didn't get selected and it's not working. So I need to maybe, you know, like, I can't expect a different result with the same formula. So I, I've been training and like you say, traveling with the guys non stop for the past five years. There wasn't a month where I haven't been kiting and no session that I don't think of training for competitions. So I actually took a moment to not kite at all. I went paragliding and new sports that I picked up and just do something else for my mind a little bit. And then I also allowed myself to think, is this really what I still want? Do I really want to compete? Do I want to travel? Is it all still, still, you know, align with what makes me happy? So that time was actually, I think more important than I thought in the moment. And in the moment I felt super guilty for, you know, there was wind, we had a good Cape Town season and I wasn't kiting as much as I could have. So. Yeah. But this moment was actually really important for my, for my soul to know what I really want. And after a while I went back to the water and I was like, okay, yeah, I feel like home here. This is, this is it. And now I can start training. But the funny thing is this was only like a month before I left. So this was only a month before, before lots of tram. So obviously I've seen okay from that moment, I've seen okay, everybody, they've got the late rotation dial. They've been progressing the board offs which are still in work in progress for me. So yeah, it was more like, oh my God, I wasted a season. You know, like you start doubting yourself again. What did I do? I should have kited more and this and that, but I actually kited with so much more confidence because now I know I'm still right here where I should be, you know. So I think, yeah, that was it. I didn't make it complicated. This event could have gone either way, you know, like if Mica had the heat of her lifetime, this wouldn't have been the outcome. But she didn't. And I just stuck to my formula and to. Stuck to do what I know, but do it powered with good guide angle and it worked out. And I also, I was really calm this event besides being very nervous about the conditions itself. But like, I, because I didn't expect this outcome. I also didn't, you know, I didn't expect it. So I was just doing my thing and I wasn't nervous about the result, about the competition, about what others do. Sometimes I didn't even look what the others do because it won't change what I can do. So I just kept on riding and it worked out.
- [08:07]
B
I mean, how funny is that you and Jamie didn't get picked for kosher and went on to win this. I think that's kind of hilarious. But you know what though? I think you are building on, you know, the result from the mega loop, Alyssa and it's tough, you know, when, when, when the girls are fighting, fighting form from six lady fleets. Yeah, it's very tough. You know now when you look at that top six, it's a very tough, I mean Natalie who won didn't get out of round two in this event. So it's tough at the top for the ladies. You spoke about sticking to the plan. What I saw from you, Alyssa, was you just kept it simple. You know, you had the laid back, the boogie, the contra boogie, which every time you did you seem to get amazing, Gus and just connecting every time that sometimes simple tricks as, you know, done at amplitude and with velocity and with power just as impressive as like, you know, the kickflip, underpowered kickflip which didn't really work for Mika, you know. So yeah, I don't have a problem with keeping it simple.
- [09:07]
A
Yeah, yeah, absolutely. And that's also one thing that Jason told me where he is, you know, really like calming me down because before the event I was like, oh, I don't have the Kite Buddha like for this event. I mean I stick it sometimes but not 50 knots, loads of tram. So he was like, well, why don't you even think of it? Don't, don't even bother. So yeah, it was, yeah, simple really paid off and it also made me super calm. Like I knew what I have, I knew what I can do and that's what I did. So I also, you know, seven trick attempt with three tricks that you want to stick is actually quite a few. So I really had enough time to wait for the gust. And most of the time it was actually at the end of the heat when I got the gust for front row contra. It was always like, oh God. I was in the semi final one that I landed like maybe 6 or 8 meters high but I literally, I felt like I took off and I landed where I took off. So it was like I also had a few of Those.
- [10:14]
B
But you also showed a lot of patience as well. I mean, I. I mean, you might have tacked back and forth for about half an hour. It seemed.
- [10:20]
A
It seemed like a lot. It was in the final. But what many didn't know, it was communicated with us that we are allowed to wait for the gust. So Cedric, before the final started, came to us and told us, listen, it's fine. The wind is up and down. I mean, you know, this spot, it's sometimes from. You can see wind on the water, but it blows straight down. There's no way you can jump. So what made everybody nervous was there was wind, and I was on a six. Why didn't you change kites and this and that? And why is she not jumping? But what I knew, and very few, I think only us competitors knew, because Jason was stressing as a caddy down there, was that we are allowed to wait for the gust. We don't have to jump in the lulls. I think this is also something that, you know, over the time with the event, we learned, we experienced, we were in no rush. There was only the men's final, and we knew we had win for the whole day. So, yeah, Cedric was, listen, don't rush it. Take your time, wait for the gust, and jump when you need it. And that's also one reason why I stayed on the six. And rather, because for me, a six and a seven is a huge difference in these gusts. So that's one reason why I picked the six. And I was, okay, I'm gonna wait. Even though that's the worst feeling, man, when you stand there and you. You tack around and everybody's looking at you, Everybody. The spectators want to see a show like. And you just, well, sorry, guys, I cannot waste this attempt.
- [11:58]
B
How do you. How do you block that pressure out when you're going back and forth? Because, I mean, I said 30 minutes. It was probably. It seemed like an eternity, you know, I mean, it seemed like a long time.
- [12:08]
A
Do you.
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B
Can you feel the ice? Can you feel that pressure building? Do you. Thinking, great, this is. I don't need this extra pressure.
- [12:15]
A
Of course, that pressure is always there. And as much as I say I wasn't nervous about this comp. Of course I was nervous. Of course, there's always the fear, the pressure. This. I mean, I was so nervous that my. My stomach started cramping from so much adrenaline. But I would say now, I mean, this is the fifth year of competing, and I really gained so much experience, and I really. Every time after a competition I sit down, I learn from it, I rewatch my heats, I write down what, what happened and brainstorm what I could have done, what I want to do next time, how I'm going to train for it, what I'm going to change. So that moment for me was actually of course very uncomfortable. But in the same way I really, it's like almost like a little devil that comes up and tells you, stressed, go do it now. And then there's this other side that says calm the down, you have the time. That's what Cedric said. He will flag you, he will let you know before he flags you out. So I still have the time. I still have one more tag when he tells me it's time now. So there's no need to rush. This is your result. And there's no bite through. That's all I can say for this event. It was so many moments of biting through. I mean my morning swim in the, I don't know if you've seen it on live stream, but I went swimming for like 10 or more minutes. Body track. Yeah, that was also another moment of just bite through. It's freaking cold. You know, you're wasting your energy swimming. It got eventually actually really scary because I was so close to the cable that I couldn't even release my kite without being wrapped in it. So I was like in that moment also. Okay, now I'm taking the board from the jet ski because now it's about time. I have no other choice. 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? What's, what's the logic thing to do and then you just trust in that.
- [14:34]
B
What can you take away from this event? You know, you say that, you sit down, you write your positive negatives. What are some of the big positives that came out of this event for you?
- [14:42]
A
One big positive that might not seem important for like as a spectator or something, but especially at this event, I, I was preparing for my energy because I knew it's a two day event. We had two early starts, then the time difference was in between. So the time daylight saving. So I knew the most difficult will be to be ready and energized before my heat. Because it's freezing cold. You have two or three wetsuits. Eventually you end up getting in a cold, wet wetsuit. So I just tried to. And obviously there's also the aspect of you're so nervous, you really don't want to eat, but you should, you have to eat. So I think that was actually my what I changed this year. What I'm really proud of. I forced myself to eat. I just in the morning at 5 o', clock, I forced on my breakfast after the breakfast. Three hours later, like an hour before my heat, I forced on to eat some dates, peanut butter, banana like all this like high density food that doesn't lie heavy in the stomach. And I prepared my food, I took some shakes with me and all that and I think I took. I even slept three times in the container. I literally, I wrapped myself up in Lucas ski pants and jackets, ponchos over me. I wrapped myself in my board bag and I just slept and I literally fell asleep three times. But I needed it. I felt oh God, my body is sinking. And yes, the adrenaline takes over but in this event it was so important for me to be focused and be able to make decisions on the get go. And yeah, I think that was what saved me. But also what's. Yeah, I'm super proud that I handled it that way.
- [16:41]
B
Do you find that in sequence riding the adrenaline is really in and around that sort of getting in the water and those first few tricks and then you're sort of in the rhythm of having a lock a longer heat in front of you versus Red Bull King of the air Red Bull Mega loop. You got 12 minutes and you're just know you can feel it for that whole time because it literally you got to put in your whole body of work in that one time you do a normal trick in.
- [17:04]
A
Yeah. So it both has its pros and cons. Sometimes the sequence riding especially in the cold water is very tiring and you're kind of forced to watch what the others do. What does mess with your head a little bit if someone lands a huge trick in front of you that misses in your head so you kind of wait a little bit. Yeah, it's like. But I really personally I like the free for all because you're really allowed to jump whenever you want and not especially here. Like sometimes the cast can really, how do I say it in a nice way but they can really be unfair. On the other hand, for example, comparing it to Mega Loop, one big change that I did after Mega Loop in my training was I started training like high intensity for 20 minutes. Like with my. I was training with my coach in the gym and for 20 minutes he would torture me because that is one thing that I realized at Mega Loop I didn't eat that day. So I was Already very tired. But the current and the strong wind getting back upwind was the most tiring thing. I think after every heat. I landed my kite downwind and I had to walk so far and even that was tiring. So, yeah, that's one thing. When you are fit, you can handle the free for all. If you are unfit, you gonna have to boost out your biggest ones at the beginning because it's tiring. It's really tiring. And I'm training for 20 minutes, so I have a puffer of five minutes, you know, like it's 15 minutes non stop and I mean, we're kiting in such strong wind. It feels like doing a squat and a deadlift at the same time with your max weight non stop and then someone's shaking you around because of the gust. Yeah. So I think it both has its pros and cons. Don't know what I prefer.
- [19:15]
B
Which kite were you riding? Were you riding the same new kite that Jason's been riding or were you still on the. The kite that you've been, you know, riding last year?
- [19:22]
A
I'm still on the kite that I was riding last year because we. I haven't had so much training on Jason's kites. So I decided to play it easy and safe. That's the kite that I'm used to. That's the kite that literally I was on the podium with on Megaloop. So I was, yeah, just playing it safe, riding what I'm riding what I'm used to. And also because Jason is still working on the bridles and everything. So I feel like. Yeah, it's sharing kite, is not it. But they are coming. There is also now after.
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B
You're a winner, baby. You're a winner.
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A
Yeah, exactly.
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B
Get back on those bridles, Jason.
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A
Yeah. The thing is, I also have very specific needs and compared to him because of the weight difference and everything. So I'm really happy with that kite. But I'm also. The seven pivot envision is also super nice that I really got used to it now. Yeah. But again, in this event it's so tricky to change like to choose your right kite size because it goes from 0 to 100 within seconds.
- [20:39]
B
How was the celebration that night after you. When did you come home and party with the Saffirs? Did you go out to the big party or were you just too knackered to really. To really go and celebrate?
- [20:49]
A
I was actually so ready to chill, watch a movie, just, you know, be. Because it was a tiring day. I mean, I'M still. I'm a little bit sick, and I'm. I feel like I'm still recovering. But Luca was the one. He was like, alessa, you're going out tonight. I hope you know that. I'm like, no ways. He's like, no, you're going out. And Hugo, Keener, Hendrick, Josh and Jason, who are all staying in us, in our house, you're coming with. And I don't know how he managed, but in the end, we were all there. The big party, I mean, we didn't last very long, but we were there.
- [21:28]
B
How does this affect your motivation for Mykonos now? Of course, you want to be a world champion, is this. Don't change your winning model, and you're going to take the same approach to Mykonos.
- [21:40]
A
This definitely was. I think, most importantly for me was a confidence booster, because I had so little faith in this event, in myself going into it, and now I freaking won. So obviously, like, yeah. It was also after the event, I was like, stop. Stop doubting yourself. Like, you belong here. You're doing good. Like, it's meant to be. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. But it's still. It is competition. And I think also one thing that clicked big time in this event is if I would always train like I was riding in this competition and have this mindset of, I don't. I just want to get high and put my kite low, then I would be much better, you know? But I think because I had this time off, it really sparked the fire again. So I'm very hungry for this world title because now I'm. I realize that I can. And this is something that shifted. I never thought, if I'm being honest, that, you know, like, being the world champ, it's not vice or the third one, but right now I'm battling for the World champ. I stood next to Micah, and I was on one step higher. Like, this is, for me, huge. I only started kiteboarding 2018, and now I'm fighting for the world title. This is huge. So, yeah, I'm definitely putting. Gonna put in the work train like I've never been before, in a different mindset, in a different. In a more calm way, more selective, way, more smart way. But, hell, yeah, I'm coming.
- [23:26]
B
Have you trained and ridden in Mykonos before?
- [23:29]
A
No, I. I've never been there. I think one of the reasons is because I heard it's very expensive to get there and stay there, but I've seen some videos. I know what the. What the Spot is kind of like. Which will also. I'm going to Egypt now, but I'm definitely also going to train in the ocean for a bit because, yeah, chop is just different than flat water. But I do think one of my strengths is I'm really, like, now I've learned to read conditions, so especially with paragliding, I know how to look at the water, look at the clouds, I know what kind of wind might be coming next and stuff like that. Find the gusts. So, yeah, I think. I think I'm ready. I think I've trained enough at so many spots that, yeah, that's not an issue.
- [24:26]
B
You're sponsored by Nash, of course, but also Brunoti. You must have had some pretty amazing calls from the Bratti team, because I know they're. They're big fans of you guys and they're always there. That must been pretty special to hear from people who've supported you and been there, been with you for a long time.
- [24:43]
A
Yeah. Oh, my God. Actually, the first person I officially called wasn't even my mom or family, because we just had a mutual understanding. Like, holy sh. You know, I knew they were all watching. But the first person I called was actually Kathleen. So you know her, my team manager from Bruno. And it's just so special because she's been there from the beginning. She's always believed in me. She's never stopped believing in me with ups and downs, she's been there with me and Jason, and that, to me, to share this win with her because she's a big part of it, was mental. Like, I think we just screamed for two minutes straight into the phone to each other on video. And now it was freaking amazing. And I know she came into the office the next day and I know they've been drinking champagne and cheering on unusual Monday, you know, like, even the boss, everybody, the CEO, everybody messaged me with such lovely messages. And I know it's like, it's almost like now it's not just my sponsor, it's my family. Like, it's. It's such a cool bunch of people that are all frothing for us, you know, amazing effort.
- [25:59]
B
Enjoy this moment, because a lot of people get carried away with what's next. I think it's just worth enjoying now and keep training. And then as you get closer to that second leg and that Mykonos event, start locking into the.
- [26:11]
A
That.
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B
Because, yeah, you should enjoy this now. And you. You should look back and think, man, I did a lot of. I did myself proud, you know, because self doubt is a horrible thing. So what you did was amazing, so you should really enjoy that.
- [26:23]
A
Thank you so much. Yeah, I'm gonna, I'm gonna enjoy the most of it, me and the boys.
- [26:30]
B
Before I let you go, have you been training? I know the conditions are still pumping. I saw Jamie broke the, the twin tip Woo record or you just sitting back and just like, I'm, I'm done. I'm. I just need some time off.
- [26:43]
A
I was actually two days after the comp. So the second day after the comp, I was already back on the water training, trying to. But the wind was so horrendously gusty that I had, I think like a 15, 20 minute session, few jumps. I did one kite loop, got dropped out of 3 meters on my board. I was like. And then I think also I realized how tired I really was. So I took one rest day yesterday and today I'm sick. But the wind is looking really, really good today, so I'm kind of. I'm not decided yet whether I go out or not. Probably shouldn't. But as horrible as this spot might seem, sometimes the first heat that I had was the best wind I've ever felt. Like this spot can also be so insane and provide the best biggest conditions in the world. So, yeah, it's, it's. Yeah. Maybe I'll have a quick one.
- [27:39]
B
Well, Alyssa, thanks for getting up super early this morning. Congratulations again. It couldn't happen to a nicer person. We're all so happy for you. As I said, enjoy this and don't worry too much about Mykonos at the moment. Just enjoy this. These weeks, after winning such a crazy event and, and getting a. A hat and being part of a legendary event and being on that trophy with people like Mikali so and Pippa Van Ho, it's awesome for you to be in that company now.
- [28:06]
A
Thank you so much.
- [28:08]
B
Hey guys. I hope you enjoyed that episode. Don't forget, if you want to support the show, the easiest way is to do it for free. Rate me on Spotify. I'm loving those five star reviews. Please keep them coming in, share them in your local WhatsApp or kite surfing groups, or just simply tell your mates. If you want to support us more regularly, head over to portraitkite.com We've just released Road to Pro Japan. Episode one is out. Or all these projects are funded by people just like you. If you believe in what we do and you want to support us more, head over to portraitkite.com and check out all the madness. Guys, the podcast will always be free, so don't worry about that. If you want to find more episodes just like this one, use the search button at Kite Surf365 to search your favorite writer or topic. And we'll be back. Well, we'll be back tomorrow with Jamie Overbeek.