Loading summary
Transcript198 lines
- [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. On today's episode I'm joined by Aya Kasabova. Aya is a four time Junior World Champion and today we talk about the step up into senior competitions. Aya recently made the semifinals of the GK at Lords of Tram after making her debut last year. I love the lofty goals that these young athletes bring to the table. She turns 16 later in the year, which opens the door to a lot of the Red Bull competitions. Don't forget to follow me at Kites Earth 365 for all the latest episodes. Ladies and gentlemen, Aya Kasabova. I Casa Bova. Welcome to the show.
- [00:47]
A
Thank you. Thank you.
- [00:48]
B
How are you doing? How's Tarifa?
- [00:50]
A
Tarifa has been great the past few weeks and now it's a bit of no wind, so yeah, hopefully the forecast gets better.
- [00:58]
B
How do you find training there with everyone around? I know you've done a couple of Lords of Trams now you're starting to get to know people. Are you starting to be people coming up and talking to you a bit more now on the beach and giving you some more respect?
- [01:09]
A
Yeah, for sure.
- [01:10]
B
It's tough being the young one, right?
- [01:11]
A
It is. And I think Bonario is a tough spot as well just because it's so small. So you really have to fight for every jump or something. Going to cut you off all the time. But yeah, it's super great. I love the spot now. I've had like a lot more time to train on it as well. So it's like the perfect spot if you get the right conditions.
- [01:31]
B
At only 15 years old. Are you enjoying riding in the bigger events now because you're a four time Junior world champion and it is a big step up, right?
- [01:40]
A
Yeah, it is a big step, I think. I mean it's super fun. My only thing is the wind. I feel like that's the thing where you have to prepare for compared to all the other events, like being ready to ride in 50 knots. But. But yeah, it's something you have to work on if you want to do all the comps.
- [01:57]
B
Is that the major difference between the junior comps and the senior comps is just that the conditions are a lot more.
- [02:01]
A
Yeah, of course. I mean the level as well obviously. But yeah, I mean in the junior comps you have 15 knots, 20 knots, not even.
- [02:12]
B
I mean you're a four time junior world champion. You can still ride juniors Is that the plan to still keep doing the juniors while you can?
- [02:19]
A
Yes, for sure. I mean, it's competition experience and their organization is always great. You see all the other kids, so it's super fun as well.
- [02:28]
B
I think the other cool thing as well is you get to ride a lot more. Right. Because there's a lot more competitors in that. It's crazy that there's a lot more competitors that they are. And the opportunities in that. Senior thinking, you know, when you do comps, I mean like if we look at Lords of Tram, you got to ride two heats, which exactly is a lot of. It's a lot of stress for two heats.
- [02:45]
A
Yeah, I mean there is more girls every year. Like I've been doing the juniors for three years already and remember the first year was only three girls and last year was 12 girls already. So I hope more girls come in and we can do bigger comps. Like I know the guys in Germany last year had maybe 60 people, which was crazy. So I hope that's what it will be like for us as well in a few years.
- [03:10]
B
I mean, in the juniors you've been doing freestyle, obviously, big air as well, and strapless. Are you going to continue to keep riding as many as you can?
- [03:16]
A
Yeah, for sure. I want to do everything and spend as much time on the water as possible. So whatever I can do, then I will do.
- [03:24]
B
Are you looking to do freestyle at a senior level?
- [03:27]
A
No. In the seniors? No. Because I think that's so much work as well. And yeah, you have to be training all the time, every single day. And I have to study as well. So I think it's for me the best to just focus on bigger, like put everything into it and try to go as far as I can and then everything else is for fun because helps with kite control, experience, whatever.
- [03:52]
B
You mentioned being at school still you have done some terms in the world class kiteboarding academy. I know your, your mum is big on, you know, your education. How are you doing your school and how do you keep up with your studies? Because it's tough to be a young athlete and having to commit to school.
- [04:07]
A
Yeah, I'm doing online school and for sure it takes a lot of time. Actually, like I have my exam starting tomorrow. Oh yeah. And I mean every moment that I'm not on the water I'm studying basically. So it takes time, takes effort. But at the end of the day I want to make sure that I have something to rely on if kiting isn't working out, I guess, but still, and I mean School is school. You have to do it no matter how much you don't want to.
- [04:42]
B
Absolutely. I love it. I wish more of the sort of young men in this industry would listen to you and do school as well.
- [04:48]
A
But I think it's quite different for them because for them it's not easier but there's more opportunity to get like paid better or work better in the kite industry compared to girls. So that's one thing as well.
- [05:02]
B
You're from Bulgaria. What's the Bulgarian scene like? Obviously I know Ellie Dmitrieva Petko Peyton. Off. I never know how to say his last name, but what's this? Patient. Off. What's the, what is the scene like in Bulgaria? Do you ever kite there or you mainly always out of country to train.
- [05:21]
A
You can kite there, but yeah, no point. Like 10 knots. And the kiting. There's a lot of people kiting, actually. Not competing, but even just kiting for fun. There was this strapless guy, cocky, I don't know if you seen him.
- [05:37]
B
Yes, I remember. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [05:39]
A
He was doing quite well. I don't know what he's doing now if he's still competing or not, but that's basically it.
- [05:45]
B
And were your first kite experiences in Bulgaria or did you learn while you're on holiday?
- [05:50]
A
Well, we live really close to Greece actually. It's like four hour drive to Greece so that's where we would always go because it's. Yeah, a lot nicer for kiting.
- [05:59]
B
What's your Greece home spot?
- [06:01]
A
Limnos. It's an island in the north, north of Greece and I still think it's one of the best spots in the world actually.
- [06:09]
B
What sort of winds can Limnos get? I mean, I've only been to Mykonos the most actually.
- [06:13]
A
It's not as strong as Mykonos for sure, but you can still get like 2 months of perfect 30 knots every single day. And there's no one. That's the thing because nobody knows about it. It's not crowded at all. So you have the whole spot to yourself, basically.
- [06:28]
B
Have you been to Mykonos? Have you kitered there yet?
- [06:31]
A
I have not been to Mykonos.
- [06:33]
B
And when are you planning to go?
- [06:35]
A
The thing is that I have exams until two days before the competition, so probably two days before the competition.
- [06:45]
B
Bloody exams. Have you, have you spoken to people about Mykonos and started to do some research? Research about the spot.
- [06:52]
A
Everybody says it's like a pretty hard spot. You have to ride on it a lot to get used to it, which I believe but, yeah, I mean, if I have the opportunity to go a bit earlier, maybe do some of my exams there, then that would for sure the best option to get like as much time on the water there as possible. I think that's the biggest advantage you can have when there's a hard spot
- [07:16]
B
and you're pretty comfortable with. Lords of Tram, you know that spot pretty well. I mean, you've ridden there a lot. You've done a lot of trainings there with the. With the Duotone Junior team as well.
- [07:27]
A
Yeah, I think it's a great spot, especially when it's like 30, 40 knots. Then when it gets over 40, it's a bit sketchy, but I think the spot is great, actually. It's like one of the most insane spots you can get.
- [07:41]
B
What were your goals going into Lords of Tram? This is the second time you competed. I still feel like you're riding without pressure, right. Because I know at 15 years old, you're a lot younger than the other girls and I feel like you can sort of just go about your business without anyone sort of putting too much pressure on. Had a great win in round one. Went into round, went straight to the semi finals, which is the dream setup. What were your goals going into that?
- [08:03]
A
Well, my biggest goal was doing better than last year, I would say, which. Yeah, but like always, like, the goal is finals, the goal is podium. So work as hard as you can for that. And I think this sort of tram made it pretty obvious what I need to do for that. Like, work on the height because that's what they score a lot. A lot, a lot. And yeah, I mean, the goal is obviously always first place.
- [08:27]
B
I love that. That's so cool. I was going to say one of the things that I noticed, and that's just because you're younger, you're not as strong. Right. It's just difficult to get that height and it's something that those other girls got. But Zara Huguen was talking to the other day on the podcast and she said she'd seen you down in Balio, you know, landing board off rotations, and she was like, she's going to be a problem. So, I mean, that's pretty cool to hear Zara talking about you like that, right?
- [08:53]
A
Yeah, yeah. It's so sick. And I. I would like to push the technicality as much as possible because that's what I find fun. Like, I prefer to go in 30 knots and do the most technical tricks possible than going 50 knots. But obviously you have to have a balance for both if you want to do competition. So, yeah, it's just about finding, like, what tricks you can do in what wind and then working on getting everything to, like, the biggest amplitude as possible.
- [09:23]
B
I mean, we saw in this competition, right, that anything can happen. I mean, I don't think anyone was picking Alessia Minch to win this. Right. But it's just sometimes things go your way. You get the gusts, you get everything perfect and that's just competition. And that comes from just being at those spots, I think, as well, you know?
- [09:39]
A
Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. I mean, it's. If it clicks on the day, then it clicks for you and maybe it doesn't click for someone else, but, yeah, anything can happen. Exactly.
- [09:52]
B
What's it like for you, riding with people like Mika and Zara and Natalie and Francesca, who you've looked up to for years, and now you're a colleague, a competitor, a friend? I mean, is that kind of cool to be part of that?
- [10:06]
A
Yeah, it's so cool. Like every time I see them on the water and they're going massive and like, that's what I want to do and I'm like, all the time, how, how do you go, like, how do you go high? I cannot go that high. So, yeah, it's super fun because you can also ask them for anything. Like, so many tips or whatever you need on the water, even if it's about gear or riding or whatever, it's really nice to hang out with them on the water.
- [10:32]
B
I remember speaking to Mica about you a couple years ago and, you know, Mika saw your videos and Mika was so, like, I think she probably saw, you know, because she come through as a young girl as well, right. Competing against the ladies. And I, I think she felt like, oh, this is, you know, this is the future. And it was so cool hearing Mika speak about you and, you know, Zara the other day, you know, it made me feel like, well, the. The women have a lot more empathy than the boys. You know, the boys are like, ah, those guys are useless. But that. But the woman is so much building each other up. It's so nice.
- [11:04]
A
No, no, it is. And like, most of them are now here in Tarifa, so it's really nice to have some sessions as well, just with the other girls and see what they're doing as well. And then you can kind of like build on whatever they're doing, then you can do similar things or they look at what you're doing. So, yeah, it's definitely really great.
- [11:24]
B
Are you still training With Nico in South Seas, Is he your main coach?
- [11:28]
A
Yes. Yeah.
- [11:29]
B
How does that work with him having someone like Finn and someone like you and other people come to the camp? How does he manage to do all the coaching? Because, man, he's got a lot of stuff. He's. He's doing a lot of stuff, you know?
- [11:41]
A
Yeah, yeah, he's doing a lot of stuff. He's also training some wing foilers as well that are doing quite good.
- [11:47]
B
Yeah, he's involved in everything.
- [11:50]
A
Yeah, yeah. But no, he's great. And I think helps a lot, like riding with the whole team. And like Finn, for example, he's so much better than me, but then I can look at whatever he's doing and be like, okay, so how do I get there? You know what I mean? So for sure helps to ride with someone that's better than you. And yeah, I mean, whenever we can, we go traveling to do coaching or he's coming to Tarifa or going to Egypt or whatever. So just traveling as much as possible.
- [12:23]
B
What makes Nico Del Mar such a good coach? Because many people have told me that he's very, very good at breaking things down. What does he give you that no one else has given you when it comes to coaching?
- [12:34]
A
It's just that he knows exactly how to build every trick so that you're not afraid of doing it. I think that's the biggest part, especially for me. Like, if I go in 45 knots, I'm not gonna throw down my biggest tricks. But the way he explains it is, like, so that you feel confident in yourself that you can do it. And I think that's kind of the most useful thing for me. And, yeah, I mean, then he's just, like, always thinking about the best way to do every trick. Like, he's imagining how he would do it or how he would do it in competition or whatever. So I think he's just super involved in everything, which is great.
- [13:15]
B
What's your favorite trick at the moment that you're doing?
- [13:20]
A
Back contra ward off.
- [13:22]
B
This is the one that Zara was talking about that she saw.
- [13:25]
A
Yeah. It's so fun. Of the kicker in Valnari. It's like the best feeling trick ever.
- [13:30]
B
You haven't landed that in competition yet?
- [13:32]
A
No.
- [13:33]
B
And what's the next trick you're working on? Obviously you're looking to get into these bored off rotations, right? Because that's going to be the big scores. And again, are you gonna look to bring these two Mykonos? That's the plan.
- [13:46]
A
Yeah. Yeah, that's the plan and just pushing like, as much like I want to do, like, all the tic tacs, all the flips is. Obviously that's gonna come with time, but, yeah, just put as many rotations. Like, I really want to do double back board offs. Like, do be contrabordoff. That's the goal for now.
- [14:05]
B
Wow. Doobie contrabordo.
- [14:06]
A
That would be amazing.
- [14:08]
B
I love. I. I love. I love the. I love the young riders. When they come through, they just got such. What's a trick that scared you for a long time and now you feel comfortable with it?
- [14:19]
A
I don't know. I don't think there is one, actually,
- [14:22]
B
if I can tell a story here. You know, last year when we were at Lords of Tram, it was horrifyingly windy and, you know, you were there and I was weird with your talking to your mother, Mila, and, man, there was a lot of people scared and your mother was really, really worried. And I just remember looking at you and you're like, don't worry, Mum, I've got this. And from that moment, I thought, man, this girl's going a long way.
- [14:42]
A
She's.
- [14:42]
B
She's not. She. She's not afraid. I mean, of course everyone's afraid, right? It's silly to say you're not afraid, but are you getting more comfortable in those stronger winds now and. And getting more comfortable to ride in those conditions where it's a little bit sort of more out of everyone's comfort zone?
- [14:56]
A
Yeah, I mean, compared to last year, I feel way better, but still, like, you don't get the opportunity to train in conditions that often. So I think every time you have to go in it again, you have to keep kind of go over the mental block again. But if you have a few days of training, then it feels quite good. But, yeah, I think that's the biggest part for me. Like, not so much the tricks, but the wind.
- [15:21]
B
What is the sweet spot for you?
- [15:23]
A
30. 35.
- [15:24]
B
And what size kite are you riding at? 30. Are you on the seven?
- [15:28]
A
Six, I think.
- [15:29]
B
Are you still on the six?
- [15:31]
A
Yeah. I mean, the new rebel is you get so much hang time and so much power that you don't really need to be that overpowered to get the lift.
- [15:40]
B
Are you training in the gym now and doing stuff off the water as well to just start helping you with your strength and start helping with the crashes. Right. I mean, the stronger you are, the crashes, they don't seem to hurt as much.
- [15:51]
A
Yeah. I mean, whenever it's not windy, I'm in the Gym. But if you have like a full day of wind, then I prefer to stay in kite for like four hours, then kite for two hours and do the gym for two hours. But for sure, every day that it's not windy, then I'd go to the gym.
- [16:06]
B
Have you had any big crashes?
- [16:09]
A
Yeah, I had like a few bad ones last year, but yeah, I think helped me so much to know that I actually have to focus when I'm doing stuff and then work on my kite control as well. So now I feel way better just trying new stuff just because of those crashes. Kind of pushed me to work on it a bit more.
- [16:30]
B
I think also when you have big crashes and you get up and you ride again, I think it's. I think you start learning that you're going to be okay as well. I remember speaking to Andrea about having big crashes and riding is like me, you know, I. Every time I have a big crash, I call on my memory, you know, I think I remember, look, it sucks now, but I'm going to be all right in a few minutes, you know, I just need to get going again. Are you sort of feel that way as well, that, you know, after, you know, you know that you can get up and you're going to be okay and finish the session or finish the heat?
- [16:58]
A
Yeah. I mean, if it's in competition, then you go for it for sure. And then in training. Yeah. Depends how bad the crash is. But I think the faster you get over the mental part of crashing, the better.
- [17:11]
B
Are you doing a lot of mental work? Because it's something that's kind of new to the industry, where people are starting to talk to people or spending more time thinking and visualizing and working on the mental side? Is that something that you've always felt comfortable with? Because I. Since I've known you, you always seem very mentally focused and strong.
- [17:29]
A
Yeah, I mean, I don't really talk to anyone or anything. I just try to, like, visualize as much as possible in any wind condition what I would do or. Yeah, just how my training would go or anything really. But, yeah, I think it's definitely something that a lot of people are starting to realize how important it is, especially for competition, so it's good.
- [17:56]
B
Do you get nervous before the competitions? Are you always. Always pretty calm and collected and not too worried about who you're up against, or do you think about that or analyze all the ladies before you compete?
- [18:08]
A
Yeah, I mean, I really get nervous like a few minutes before my heat. That's like the moment. But yeah, as for who I'm writing against, it doesn't really matter so much. As long as I do what I know I can, then if I win, I win. And if I don't, then I don't. But yeah, for sure I get a bit nervous, especially if it's like 50 knots.
- [18:29]
B
I mean, how cool was that when you came back from that first heat in Lords of Tram when you'd won? I mean, how cool is it on the beach coming back to seeing your mother and Nico and all that? I mean, that must have been pretty cool at only 15 years of age to come back and hand beaten people who have been riding at the highest level competitions for many years.
- [18:48]
A
I knew my goal was to make it to the semis, like my first goal and that I knew that I already did. It was, yeah, great. And I also. Just knowing that you don't have to go on the water a second time for round two is also such a nice feeling.
- [19:05]
B
Let's put that in perspective, guys. It's really cold, eh? It's super cold. The least time in the water, the better.
- [19:11]
A
Yeah, exactly.
- [19:13]
B
Did you ride in booties?
- [19:14]
A
No.
- [19:15]
B
Have you ever tried booties and gloves before?
- [19:17]
A
I haven't, thankfully. I don't want to have to try them as well.
- [19:21]
B
How were the fingers and the toes in the water?
- [19:23]
A
I couldn't really feel them, so. Yeah, but Nico invented the thing where we would bring like hot water from the house in like a bottle. So then during the heat, he would like pour it all over your hands and your feet just so you can actually feel your bar and feel your str. And you're bored because otherwise there was like no way.
- [19:48]
B
Pretty good idea actually, when I think about it. So you, you would. He would pour warm water as you are waiting for the next trick and
- [19:54]
A
it was like boiling water as well. And I was like, okay, now I'm sure my hands are just gonna never recover.
- [20:05]
B
Just burnt, cold and burns. Nico. Thanks, mate.
- [20:09]
A
No, no, it was perfect. Like, I think it helps you so much, just like to be more focused because otherwise you're just thinking about how cold you are. You can't even focus on what you're doing. So then it's also more likely that you get injured.
- [20:23]
B
Speaking of the South Seas team and Niko and how was the energy in that final after Finn blew the kite out, ran back down the beach, got the other kite, came back. I mean, I was saying that on the podcast a few weeks ago. I don't know if people realize how difficult what Finn did, because once you Lose that sort of mental edge. Very difficult to get that momentum back. I mean, how did Finn do that and how did Nico get him so focused again? Because it's a crazy performance to come back and get second. I mean, not just get second, like dominate second place.
- [20:55]
A
Yeah, I like, I have so much respect for that. I think Finn is good at kind of getting focused again after. And also in the freestyle that he crashed like his first tricks, I think in Taiba and then, yeah, I guess maybe it helps him as well to get more focused and yeah, Nico is just, he knows exactly what to do. So you don't really have to think about what you have to do. He thinks about it instead of you. So then you just completely. Yeah, you rely on him basically.
- [21:29]
B
So who else is in that Celses team? I mean, I know, I know you two are the sort of main, the main competitive guys, but he does a lot of coaching for other people as well, right?
- [21:38]
A
Yeah, I know Pippa is training it with him as well. Yeah, Giselle is also now training with him.
- [21:45]
B
Really? What's it like to train with Gisela? I mean she's a legendary 10 time world champion or something crazy like that. And I see she's getting to big air as well.
- [21:53]
A
Yeah.
- [21:54]
B
How is she riding?
- [21:55]
A
I think she has like the most blueprint athlete mindset that you could ever find anywhere.
- [22:02]
B
Very professional.
- [22:03]
A
Yeah, exactly. And yeah, it's great. Like she's pushing as well now.
- [22:07]
B
So have you guys all been together training with Giselle, you and Finn?
- [22:12]
A
Not yet actually. Like we went to Gran Canaria with Gisela a few months ago and then. Yeah.
- [22:20]
B
What's that experience like? Because for a lot of people they, Gisela Polito had sort of left the industry before a lot of people had gotten, you know, she had, she was very, very young. You know, similar to Mika, you know, multiple time, you know, freestyle champion. What's it like to train with someone like that? Did you know who Gisela was before you met her? Because, you know, you were very young but when she had left the sport, you know.
- [22:43]
A
Yeah, I've always heard people talking about her and she's like the perfect athlete, perfect mindset, perfect. Like every time I go for a session with her, she already has everything planned out that she's going to do.
- [22:56]
B
And do you have a plan?
- [22:59]
A
I don't have a plan. I'm going.
- [23:02]
B
That's going to go, right?
- [23:03]
A
Yeah, exactly. Whatever I feel like is best. But yeah, I mean, I think there's a lot you can learn from her as well because she has so much competition experience and life experience as well. So it's great to be able to train with her.
- [23:17]
B
It's pretty cool to have these quality of people around you, I think. You know, Nico is a great guy. I really like him. And obviously Finn, I think is going to be one of the big names in the sport moving forward. He's already a freestyle world champion. He could easily go and win Mykonos and oh, he's got to beat Jamie, which is going to be tough. But I mean, having Pippa there and Gisela, I'm loving this team. I really think it's a great team. It's super cool to see and I hope you guys can all work together and. And you know, like we say that a rising tide lifts all boats. You know, sometimes when you get groups of people together, you all get better together.
- [23:50]
A
Yeah, for sure, for sure. I think for me as well, it's nice to train with people that have more experience than me. I think you can learn a lot from them and yeah, just push as much as possible.
- [24:02]
B
Has Gisela learned something from you?
- [24:04]
A
You have to ask her.
- [24:08]
B
I'm gonna text her now. Yeah, obviously we've got Mykonos coming out in June. What are your goals for the second half there? Are you going to start getting video footage and. And try get into the Red Bull Mega Loop and obviously the Queen of the Air. I'm not calling it king of the women's division anymore. I don't care.
- [24:24]
A
Yeah, that's. Are you.
- [24:26]
B
This is the plan?
- [24:26]
A
Yes, yes.
- [24:27]
B
Tough. Tough with only six, right? Tough with only six girls.
- [24:31]
A
But yeah, let's see. I think it depends a lot on what videos you have, obviously, so. And I know they look a lot at how many competitions you do and
- [24:42]
B
actually when do you turn 16?
- [24:44]
A
In September.
- [24:45]
B
Oh, so you're gonna sneak in. Wow, that'd be so cool to have a 16 year old female at the queen. Is position something that you want to work on? I know obviously, you know, getting the kite lower involves a lot more risk, but that's where the big scores come, right? I mean, if you look at even Zara in that final, I think her biggest score just come from a massive kite. You know, getting that kite low, is that something that you guys are working towards?
- [25:10]
A
I think it's something I should be probably working towards more. I know a lot of the guys use 22 meter lines as well, so I think that's probably a good point as well to try shorter lines and see how it feels. But, yeah, for now, I think my biggest goal is technicality and then spending as much time pushing the new tricks and then just before comp, like, trying to get them as big as possible.
- [25:40]
B
What size board are you riding?
- [25:41]
A
133 Team Series. It's so nice.
- [25:45]
B
You're liking that, Rebel.
- [25:47]
A
Yeah, it's amazing. I love it.
- [25:49]
B
Do you like them in the bigger sizes?
- [25:51]
A
Like, the biggest size I have is the nine, so I'm not really using it for light wind so much. But even the nine, you can loop it easily in like 20, 25 notes. So I love it.
- [26:01]
B
I hope that they can extend the numbers because six, I mean, with the 12, with the 12 girls in the. The GK events, I think that's about right. I think it's the right number. I think you could be a few either side of that number. I still think it's okay after that. I think it's starting to get shallow, but I think six is too tough. There's too many people miss out for six because it's right on that, right on their limit. What do you think the sweet spot is for ladies?
- [26:29]
A
The more the better. I know for Red Bull events, they want to have like the highest, highest level possible also, because I guess has more people watching the NGK events, which I understand, but as well. Yeah, six is not enough.
- [26:47]
B
You have to put a video on for Mykonos. Right?
- [26:50]
A
Yeah.
- [26:51]
B
By the way, your GKA ranking, your bigger ranking is eighth in the world. Now. I'm just looking at the ranking, the new ranking system here. Above Natalie Lambreck, who's the queen of the air champion, by the way. Above Pippa Van Ursul, above Zoe, above Inbar, above Jasmine. It's pretty cool.
- [27:06]
A
It is.
- [27:08]
B
She. She's got a massive, big smile on her face. What's your goal going into Mykonos? You started to think about that. Do you want another semi performance or. Or do you want to try and push on for that final now?
- [27:18]
A
Yeah, finals, I think. Depends on the win, but, yeah, finals for sure. If I can get on the podium, then that would be the goal as well. In Mykonos, you can get really strong wind, like 40, 50 knots. So then, yeah, let's see how it is.
- [27:35]
B
I don't think the winds is scary as bakaras.
- [27:38]
A
No.
- [27:39]
B
It can be super gusty there because it does come off that hill. It does rush down into that valley. It's not really kickers because you're sort of riding across the waves, if that sort of makes sense.
- [27:49]
A
Yeah, yeah. I've heard.
- [27:51]
B
Can you ride both right and left?
- [27:54]
A
Yeah.
- [27:54]
B
Is that something you'd like to do to. To go both ways? Is that something that you like to do or.
- [27:59]
A
I think last year I spent a lot of time like in places where you had right foot waves, so it kind of made me push a lot more to the right. And now it's really nice because no matter what the wind is or what spot I'm in, I can always go both ways.
- [28:15]
B
So do you contra loop to the right or kite loop both ways?
- [28:18]
A
Well, no, I can do contraloop and kite loop both ways. The rotations I can only do front rows to the right and back rows to the left.
- [28:25]
B
Hey, let's. Let's just keep that one quiet.
- [28:27]
A
Yeah, don't tell anyone that.
- [28:29]
B
Look, I'm. I'm really excited for Mykonos. I think it's a great spot. Not sure about a seven day window though. This seems pretty risky. You know, it's a lot of chance of things going wrong, but that, that wind in Greece, is it. Is it the multimi. Is that the. Is that the wind? The multiman.
- [28:45]
A
Yeah, exactly. Usually it's consistent. I don't think it's gonna be 40 knots every day, but hopefully at least some wind.
- [28:56]
B
They always send the ladies out when it's a little bit lighter.
- [28:59]
A
Yeah, I mean, for me that's to my advantage, so I'm not gonna complain as long as it sounds 12 knots.
- [29:04]
B
I think I. As years go by and you start getting bigger and older and stronger, I think you will, you'll grow into that. Like, look, they're all like, Mika doesn't like the strong winds. Even TSAR in that last podcast saying it's, I'm scared. You know, I'm scared of these conditions. So. You're not the only one. I mean, I think it's. I think it's just part of the game, you know, Even the boys are scared.
- [29:24]
A
Yeah, well, for. Yeah, I guess they are, but it doesn't seem that way.
- [29:30]
B
It's awesome to see and it was an amazing event. I'm super bummed I didn't get to see baby sharks return from the wilderness. And obviously then Jamie getting that 10 at the end. What, what was that like, watching Jamie in that final? I mean that. What was it like to see that 10? Did you know they were going to give him a 10?
- [29:45]
A
No, I didn't. But I mean, I think with the level that he was riding at, everybody almost expected it. Yeah, he's insane and he wrote insanely well. So I think he trains a lot in that spot as well, so that for sure helps. He knows the spot really well, which, yeah, just proves how much of an advantage you can have in a place where, you know, every gust, every wave or whatever.
- [30:12]
B
Hey, we saw that a few years ago with the Casati boys and Jeremy and Grand Canary, right? Those guys had every kicker hit every, every wave. You know, they know that spot super well. Did you hear Jamie talking about his takeoff and saying, you know, everyone been saying to Jamie's takeoff was really strong. On the podcast, he was talking about using foil kites, oversized foil kites, and really learning to get that pop perfect. Do you guys do a lot of work on your pop? Do you do a lot of work on your takeoff? Is that something that Niko works on?
- [30:40]
A
Yeah, I think every spot is different for sure. In Barcrest, I hadn't ridden in flat water since last year, so I had to spend like three days just learning how to take off again in flat water so that I'm not over steering my kite, not over rotating, whatever. So I think, yeah, it's a big focus as well to know how to approach every spot perfectly. Because then it's a lot different if you're using kickers or choppy water.
- [31:09]
B
Even when you talk about different spots, Right. Like Tarifa, to ride along the wave with the wave pushing you one and the kite pushing you there. I mean, that's crazy, right? I mean that. How cool does that feel when you get that one right and just get thrown up into the air?
- [31:23]
A
It's the best feeling ever. Like even with light wind, you can get so much height, it's insane. It's the best spot.
- [31:32]
B
Are you riding with Woo or surfer?
- [31:35]
A
I'm not. I really have to start, I think. But I'm not yet.
- [31:40]
B
Don't really. Not really. Understood.
- [31:42]
A
No, I am. It's just. Probably have to invest in a watch or something.
- [31:47]
B
Well, maybe they'll give you one if they, if they can hear this, they'll reach out and give you a watch and device or something. You know, that's what you need to do. You start asking people.
- [31:55]
A
I have to.
- [31:55]
B
I'd be surprised how many people say yes.
- [31:57]
A
Yeah, probably you're going to be going
- [31:59]
B
to be the new face of women's kiteboarding soon. Let's, let's, let's get those contracts done early, you know?
- [32:05]
A
Yeah.
- [32:05]
B
You're super lucky to get to ride all around the world. What are your favorite spaces to ride? What? Your favorite spots around the world.
- [32:13]
A
I love Brazil for Progression, I think it's super easy and you have no stress whatever that you feel like you're gonna crash or that the wind is too strong and then. Yeah, Balnario, I think is the best spot ever. If you have like the perfect kicker, the perfect wind, then have some of the best sessions of my life there.
- [32:32]
B
What about Cape Town?
- [32:34]
A
Actually, I've only been to Cape Town once and I was barely doing jumps, so I don't really know. But for sure if I want to do King of the Air this year, then I'm going to have to train a bit.
- [32:49]
B
Is school going to get in the way?
- [32:51]
A
Actually, there's not, thankfully next year.
- [32:55]
B
Are you finished? Almost.
- [32:56]
A
No, but my exams are usually in the spring, so I only have like one. Yeah, that's good.
- [33:03]
B
Well, look, I thank you so much for coming on. It's always great to catch up with you. It's been amazing to see your rise and you know, I've known you for a few years and it's great to see that you've shifted from the junior still riding juniors into the seniors and, and making semi finals and yeah, I hope you can push on and keep this form and ride in the Red Bull events. If not this year, I think next year for sure. Good luck for the rest of the year, good luck for Mykonos and I can't wait to see you in Greece there. Hopefully moving on to that final.
- [33:30]
A
Yeah, yeah. Thank you so much. Let's see how the year goes and crossing my fingers for the best.
- [33:35]
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. 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 and check out all the madness there. If you don't know what Portrait is, it's really easy. Portrait is an independent media company trying to tell the stories of kiteboarding the way we believe they should be told. 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 but don't worry, guys. Don't worry, guys. The podcast will always be free. If you want to find more episodes just like this one, use the search button@kitesurf365.com to search your findings, favorite rider or topic and we're going to be back this Thursday for the Megapod.