Podcast Summary: Bitter Sweet Feat. Hugo and Luca
Kitesurf365 | Episode #411 | November 6, 2025
Overview
In this episode, host Adrian Kerr sits down with Fly Surfer team riders Hugo Wigglesworth and Luca Ceruti. The episode dives deep into Hugo’s recent rollercoaster week—celebrating his Hydrofoil Big Air World Championship while facing the disappointment of losing his WOO world record and not being selected for Red Bull King of the Air (KOTA). The discussion also revisits Luca's experience on last year’s KOTA podium, the evolving landscape of kiteboarding competitions, and reflections on equipment, motivation, and the community aspect of the sport.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Hugo’s Bittersweet Week
Winning the Hydrofoil Big Air World Championship vs. Competition Setbacks
- Hydrofoil Big Air World Champ: Hugo shares his excitement about winning in Abu Dhabi despite mixed emotions (00:51).
- “I'm pretty stoked with how Abu Dhabi's gone, you know, the Hyde for a World Championship.” (Hugo, 00:51)
- WOO World Record Lost Right Before Event: Before competing, Charles broke Hugo’s WOO world record during the Italy qualifier. (01:15)
- “The Italy qualifier ran the day before this event started and then Charles broke my world record.” (Hugo, 01:15)
- Missing KOTA Selection: Hugo’s application for KOTA was unsuccessful, despite accomplishments and a competition video that got him into other major events. (07:46)
- “They said my video wasn’t up to scratch, which is kind of weird considering I pretty much use the same video the whole year and it got me into Megaloop...” (Hugo, 07:46)
2. The State of Hydrofoil Big Air
Wind Challenges, Equipment Trends, and the Need for Change
- Unpredictable and Low Winds: Both recent events were held in 8–15 knots, sometimes as low as 6, limiting trick potential and excitement (02:46).
- “Doing it in six knots is just shit... it’s painful. You guys deserve better.” (Adrian, 02:29)
- One-Design Fleet: Almost the entire fleet rode 15m Fly Surfer Sonics, making it practically a one-design class (04:46).
- “90% of the fleet were all flying fly surfers. It’s like become a one design.” (Adrian, 04:35)
- Need for Windier Venues: Higher wind locations are needed to bring back the wow factor and attract top riders (Charles, Jamie) (03:41; 04:19).
- “The reason Charles and Jamie aren't at these events is because of the light wind. So if we can get some strong wind events, the level’s high...” (Hugo, 04:19)
- Gear Flexibility: Riders can choose any setup, giving a personal edge (05:29).
- “I’m riding the same foil setup as Charles, just has the most pop and speed... and a board with 27 liters for those light conditions...” (Hugo, 05:29)
3. The KOTA Selection Controversy
Frustrations with the Qualifying and Selection Process
- Opaque Video Selection and Communication: Hugo questions the process, noting inconsistencies and lack of clarity (07:46; 10:49).
- “There’s no... nothing in the rulebook or anything saying if you don’t go to qualifier that you’re not gonna be considered fairly in the KOTA selection. But it kind of seems that way.” (Hugo, 10:49)
- Bias Toward Recent European Qualifiers: Seems to favor competitors who attend last-minute European qualifiers, disadvantaging riders from farther away (13:09).
- “By having qualifying events that only favor European or European-based riders, it kind of sucks for everyone else.” (Adrian, 13:34)
- Calls for Change: Hugo advocates for a proper series where the top riders qualify automatically, not subjective video picks (11:51).
- “The KOTA fleet should be a reflection of the whole year’s performance... the video selection is pretty vague.” (Hugo, 10:49)
4. The Impact of Selection on Riders
- Motivation and Frustration: Hugo turns rejection into motivation, aiming to come back stronger next year (16:46).
- “I think I’m pretty pissed off and I think it is slightly more motivating. I think I’m just going to get some insane video clips and just hopefully it just doesn’t happen again.” (Hugo, 16:54)
- Systemic Issues: Geographic barriers and event scheduling conflicts make fair qualification difficult for non-Europeans (13:53).
- “We need...a qualifier in at least the southern hemisphere.” (Hugo, 14:13)
5. Luca Ceruti Reflects on His KOTA Podium & Community
- Pride in Being a South African on the Podium: First in a decade—reflects on the energy, family support, and significance for the home crowd (19:42).
- “Standing on that podium and realizing all that hard work that actually got me on the podium and the family and the sports and my coach ... was like such a special reflection...” (Luca, 19:42)
- Learning from Experience: He now approaches finals with more hunger and perspective, influenced by other competitors like Kevin Langeree (21:13).
- “This isn’t a heat to just have fun with...something I’m really proud of myself because now I feel like this heat is gonna be like all in no matter what the heat is.” (Luca, 23:07)
- Being Mark’s Caddy: Learned invaluable lessons about preparation, rituals, mindset, and the importance of community (24:42).
6. Fly Surfer Team and Equipment Evolution
- Family Vibe at Fly Surfer: Sees the brand more as a family than a sponsorship; recounts podium celebrations with the whole crew (26:28).
- “It’s a team that’s a family...we were all standing guard, and it was just like 40, 50 people of the Fly Surfer family..." (Luca, 26:28)
- Kite Choices – Era 2 & Sonic 5: Both kites offer distinct advantages; foil kites especially shine if wind is less than 30 knots, providing crazy hang time and second lift (29:54).
- “The hang time and the second lift of the foil kite...gives you that 20, 30% more distance traveled... which you never see on another kite.” (Luca, 29:54)
- Fin Setup: Orca fins for extra control and playfulness (32:03)
7. Recognition, Surprises, and the “Game Changer”
- Both Hugo and Luca express surprise and disappointment that top-level kiters like Jamie Overbeek were also left out of KOTA.
- “Even Jamie, bro, is another head scratcher...I really, I don’t know, I can’t even think of why he wouldn’t [be in].” (Adrian, 33:59)
- Sonic 5 as a “Game Changer”: The effort put into the new kite design is seen as impactful for the future of the sport (34:20).
- “It says ‘game changer’ on the kite...it’s going to be the game [changer].” (Luca, 35:08)
Notable Quotes
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Hugo on KOTA selection:
“I also don’t believe it because Jamie’s not in King of the Air and he gets filmed 24/7. He goes out in mad storms. He must have insane clips. So I’m not really sure what’s going on.” (07:55)
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Adrian on event fairness:
“By having qualifying events that only favor European or European-based riders, it kind of sucks for everyone else.” (13:34)
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Luca on motivation post-podium:
“I’ve still got it in me, which is quite cool. So I don’t feel like it’s hard to find that motivation to do well...It just happens naturally.” (23:19)
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Luca on Fly Surfer:
“The way I treat Fly Surfer, it isn’t a brand where I ride for. It’s a team that’s a family...” (26:28)
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Hugo on coming back stronger:
“I think I’m pretty pissed off and I think it is slightly more motivating. I think I’m just going to get some like, insane video clips and just hopefully it just doesn’t happen again.” (16:54)
Timestamps for Major Segments
- 00:51 – Hugo reflects on winning the Hydrofoil World Championship, loss of WOO world record
- 02:46 – Issues with low wind competitions and gear dominance
- 07:46 – Hugo on not being selected for KOTA, critiques the process
- 10:49 – Opaque rules and the need for a better qualifying system
- 13:34 – Geographic inequities in KOTA qualifiers
- 16:54 – Turning disappointment into motivation
- 19:42 – Luca relives his King of the Air podium moment
- 21:13 – How to approach finals: learning from Kevin Langeree
- 24:42 – Lessons from being Mark Jacobs’ caddy
- 26:28 – Fly Surfer team/family dynamic
- 29:54 – Kite choices for COTA and impact of new technology
- 33:05 – Disbelief about KOTA omissions (Hugo, Jamie)
- 34:20 – Sonic 5 as a game-changer
- 35:33 – Adrian closes, excitement for the coming season in Cape Town
Tone
The episode maintains an honest, open, and sometimes humorous tone. Both riders share candid frustrations about the competition world but also display optimism, camaraderie, and a deep love for kiteboarding. There's a clear affection for the sport, the equipment, and their kiteboarding “family.”
Takeaways
- The competitive structure for major kiteboarding events is inconsistent and often unfair, especially for non-European athletes.
- Despite setbacks, top riders like Hugo are even more motivated to excel.
- New kite technologies like the Sonic 5 are shaking up expectations and may change game strategies at future events.
- Kiteboarding’s close community is a core strength, providing support, pride, and celebration.
Anyone interested in event politics, kite technology, and the personal journeys of top kiters will find this episode compelling and full of authentic insight.