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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. On today's episode, I catch up with Fly Surfer team riders Hugo Wigglesworth and Luca Ceruti. It's been a crazy week of mixed emotions from Hugo from winning the Hydrofoil World Championship to losing his WU title to missing out on King of the Air. While Luka and I relive the highs of his podium finish from last year's King of the Year. Don't forget to follow me at kaitsurf365 for all the latest episodes. Ladies and gentlemen, Hugo Wigglesworth and Luca Ceruti. Hugo, it's been a bittersweet week for you. Let's start off with the positive news. Congratulations on winning the Hydrofoil World Championship. I hope the Coda news didn't spoil that.
- [00:52]
A
Yeah, I'm not really sure of what to think of the last week and a half. I mean, I'm pretty stoked with how Abu Dhabi's gone, you know, the Hyde for a World Championship. But yeah, wasn't great news before the event and it wasn't great news after the event.
- [01:12]
B
What did you say before the event? What? What did you hear before the event?
- [01:15]
A
Well, that was the. The Italy qualifier ran the day before this event started and then Charles broke my world record. So.
- [01:26]
B
Yeah, yeah, okay. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. It's a. It's a concochy of bad results. Let's get to the Coda stuff later because I mean, that's something we can talk about any. Was the Hydrofoil Big Air always a goal for you? Was that something that you had in mind that you wanted to win?
- [01:39]
A
You know, at the start of the year I just wanted to do all the Big Air competitions. It didn't matter if it was going to be on a twin tip or a hide four. And it just so happens that my level of height for bigger is just a little bit better compared to other people, you know, at these events. So my first event was in Silt, Germany in August and I managed to get the win there. And then coming to Abu Dhabi, of course there was only one goal and that was to win. So pretty stoked I got that job done.
- [02:15]
B
Are you going to come back and go for it again next year? You want to double this one up?
- [02:21]
A
Yeah, definitely, yeah. I mean next year for sure. I'm going to attend all the events and see if I can do it again.
- [02:30]
B
I mean, I feel like Hydrofoil Big Air should have legs. It must have Legs But I think doing it in six knots is just shit. I mean it's, I mean I could see the frustration on you guys. I mean it's just, it's just, it's painful. I mean you guys deserve better.
- [02:46]
A
Yeah. I mean the last, the, the events I won well that we had were I was on a 15 meter sonic in both events. It was about, you know, wind range was about 8 to 15 knots. We were all doing air style tricks trying to, you know, spin to win. Going nine meters high. It's obviously not what we want to do but I mean at least the sport has the capability to do that unlike twin tip big air. So I mean if we can combine some windy events along with some, okay maybe one, you know, shit 12 knot event, I think, I think it would be all right.
- [03:29]
B
Do you think a third stop would be good? So you could have. Maybe. They're always going to keep it in silk just because of the money there. But we, you like a spot in somewhere that's going to be inflatable kites and, and loops as well.
- [03:42]
A
Yeah. Would be pretty cool. You know silk can actually be windy. You never know what you're going to get there with the, with the German storms. But yeah, we need, we need some more windy events for sure.
- [03:56]
B
The only reason I say that is I think if you, if they bring back the wow factor to the hydrofoil big air which they had back in the past. I remember 22 watching Charles versus Jamie. Unbelievable final in, in Tarifa. It was incredible and just so awesome to watch. If they could bring that windier spots back, I think you could get Charles and Jamie back into the event and just add more good, good players to the mix, you know.
- [04:20]
A
Yeah. I think 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, you know the competition is the level's high so I think that'd be a pretty good show if we can get everything together.
- [04:36]
B
I mean you had the Sonic 5. The irony is when you doubt when I, when I turned on the stream to look at what was going on, it looked like 90 of the fleet were all flying fly surfers. It's like become a one design.
- [04:46]
A
I, I actually jokingly post on my Instagram that it was a one design class.
- [04:51]
B
Oh, did you?
- [04:52]
A
Yeah, I didn't see that.
- [04:54]
B
Yeah.
- [04:54]
A
Yeah. So I think it was 16 riders here in Abu Dhabi. I think maybe 11 people had 15 meter sonics. So. Yeah, I mean it just, it kind of tells you which kite's the best for, you know, the sub? 20 knots?
- [05:13]
B
Yeah, well, in the bigger sizes, let's say. Yeah. Hey, can you just pick any four gear that you want to ride? Is that. Does that. I guess that gives you an advantage, right, because you can just choose the master setup that you want. Do you think that's an advantage for you to be able to choose any foil and any board you want?
- [05:29]
A
Yeah, I think so. I'm riding the same foil setup as Charles, which I find just has the most pop and speed for the gear. And I'm riding a slightly. A board with slightly more liters. It's got 27 liters, which is quite good for these light conditions because, I mean, it's light, so it doesn't really matter if you have a slightly bigger board.
- [05:55]
B
Yeah, I've noticed your board is quite a lot larger. Actually. I noticed it more in the. I remember seeing you and Robbie riding and Robbie's like, you know, he's one foot on the back, one foot on the nose and your board looks quite a lot larger. Does that help you more with the landings and lighter winds, you think as well because you've got a bit more volume to come down on.
- [06:12]
A
Yeah, for sure. Helps on the landings. That's kind of why I'm riding it. A lot of these guys are riding pretty much, let's call them like tray boards. They've almost got no, no leaders. But yeah, I prefer the slight aboard with a bit more leaderage for the landings.
- [06:29]
B
What about for the board offs and the rotations and stuff? Do you. Do you mind that the board's a bit bigger with you or does it doesn't bother you? Just man up and do it.
- [06:38]
A
Yeah, man up and do it. It's fine.
- [06:41]
B
And how's the vibe being in Abu Dhabi? It must be pretty frustrating. I know that the, the hydro, the. The freestylers there at the moment trying to get out. Are people a bit frustrated with the lack of win there?
- [06:52]
A
Yeah, I mean, there's almost just no hope for the freestyles. They gave up on day two, basically. I mean, everyone's playing paddle and doing other things around the city, going go karting and stuff.
- [07:06]
B
You just enjoy. Just enjoying what Abu Dhabi has to offer at the moment.
- [07:10]
A
Yeah, it's a pretty cool place. I mean, the middle of the day is just way too hot to be outside.
- [07:16]
B
Yeah. So, you know it's the winter there, eh?
- [07:19]
A
Yeah, I know, it's crazy. There's no way I can live here, mate.
- [07:24]
B
I can't believe I lived there for 23 years. It's kind of crazy.
- [07:28]
A
Oh, wow.
- [07:29]
B
You get used to it, bro. You get used to it. They tell you.
- [07:31]
A
Yeah, I'm sure.
- [07:33]
B
Let's talk about Kota, bro, because I know this is a pretty painful pill to swallow. Did you reach out and talk to the guys at Red Bull at all? Did you hear from the. From the guys about why you weren't selected?
- [07:47]
A
Yeah, I reached out and basically 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 and all these other competitions. 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.
- [08:19]
B
By the way, I've seen Jamie riding a Sonic 5 these days as well.
- [08:23]
A
Yeah, that's cool. I'm sure he's just trying it out. Comparing to his element, I think. Yeah. I mean, pretty disappointing. I didn't get into Coda because I was planning on riding the Sonic.
- [08:38]
B
That was the plan, huh?
- [08:39]
A
Yeah. I've got a smaller size, but I guess you'll see Luca on it, because.
- [08:44]
B
I remember you weren't a big fan of looping the foil kites back in the day, right? I mean, I think maybe up to about six months ago, before the new Sonic 5 came out. Is that correct?
- [08:55]
A
I mean, the first time I looped a foil kite was about four years ago on a six meter Soul V2. Yeah, they. They were just a bit slow back then, but this new Sonic 5's a big step up in terms of how it turns. So now I'm a really big fan because I can actually go more technical with it because I've got more hang time and. And I'm still getting. It's actually more powerful in the loop. So I think. I think the judges all, you know, like it.
- [09:27]
B
It's kind of crazy, right? Because King of the Air is always like, oh, we put on a show. We want to see different stuff. You know, they've given Charles a chance. We've seen Ayrton in the past. We've seen Anjali ride as a girl, and I think having guys committing to four kites would be right up the alley. Do you think that's what they'd want to see?
- [09:44]
A
I mean, I don't think it matters what kind of gear you're using, as long as you're going the Biggest. And Charles is going absolutely massive on his floor, so he's going to put on a show for sure. And I'm sure the foil kites would, you know, show their travel distance and their jumps is just insane compared to, you know, the normal leis.
- [10:04]
B
Would you even consider riding a hydrofoil at King of the Air if you're in? I mean, you still can get in, bro. You're only your third reserve, right? Or second reserve. Is that correct?
- [10:12]
A
Second reserve.
- [10:13]
C
But I mean, I mean, I don't know, bro.
- [10:16]
B
You never know.
- [10:16]
A
The hope is low. Come on. Would I ride a hide for. Probably not. Just because I'm mainly practicing hide foiling in less than 25 knots. And, you know, code is going to be more than that.
- [10:31]
B
So they told you that your video wasn't good enough. Was there any chat ever about not committing to enough of the qualifying series? Because it does seem like there is some talk about that, right? It does seem like there is some chat that, oh, these guys aren't doing the qualifying series. They're, you know, not committed.
- [10:50]
A
Yeah, I. There was no. There's no. Nothing in the rule book or anything saying if you don't go to qualifier that you're not gonna be considered fairly or the same in the code of selection. But it kind of seems that way because a lot of people that have gone to this Italian qualifier recently have got into Coda, so it also feels like they're like, I think coda should be. The Coda fleet should be a reflection of the whole year, of your whole year's performance. And it seems like they're kind of biased to the recent events. I mean, at the end of the day, the code of qualifiers only qualify one person. So I think. I think the selection needs to change and we should have a proper qualifying series where, you know, the top 18 riders of the. Of that series should go through. Not this, you know, video selection. It's pretty vague, the video selection stuff.
- [11:51]
B
I mean. And you guys should know what I mean, you should know as writers what their requirements are. Right? Because if they are taking into that. And I'm going to ask Sergio for this week's Megapod, I'm going to ask Sergio, was this part of the section process and did the writers know? Because it seems like the writers didn't know, otherwise people would be more committed to them anyway. It's. The system's broken, right? Because if it's a qualifying series, if you're pre qualified, why should you be riding? You know, there. You know, you got to look at it that way. There's so many different, like they almost need to scrap the whole system and start again because it's, it clearly doesn't work.
- [12:26]
A
Yeah, because I mean, if you have Lorenzo in a qualifying event, he's going to take out all these people that need to be qualified. So it's basically not fair.
- [12:37]
B
Well, I mean, Andre, you said to me at the start of the year, he said, I'm not doing the qualifiers because I'm qualified. I think he did the Port Apollo because it's like a home spot for him. Right. That's totally cool. But yeah, it's, it's definitely an issue. But going back then, Hugo, if they had said, hey, if you don't ride Porto, you're not going to do, you can't do the King of the Air. But it's the same time as the hydrfoil second round. Would you have chosen the World Championship over Porto Polo if you had to go back in time? I mean, because if you asked me, bro, I would have said, do, do the hydrofoil. It's a, it's a great opportunity.
- [13:10]
A
Yeah, I, I, I mean, I looked into doing both events, but being in New Zealand, I was so far away from Italy that I would have had to flown on a yellow light and then I would have had to get on a plane straight after the competition and came to Abu Dhabi and it was just kind of legitimately not possible. But if I had to choose one, honestly, I don't even know.
- [13:35]
B
I mean, that's true. I mean, yeah, I mean, and that's the thing. If, if this is the case, then by having qualifying events that only favor European or European based writers, it kind of sucks for everyone else, right? You know, I mean, it's, you know, there's impossible for anyone, New Zealand, Australia or US based to ever qualify then.
- [13:54]
A
You know, unless you're absolutely, I mean, if, if Mark lived in the UK or whatever, he would have easily flown to these events, you know, and me, I think we need Coda should be an international event. We need a qualifier in this, at least in the song that Southern hemisphere.
- [14:13]
B
I, I don't even know, dude. To be honest, bro, I don't even know if these qualifiers are going to happen again. I think they haven't been as great a success as some people would have liked, I think, I don't know. I, I got the feeling that they, they won't happen again. And then it'll just be back to video entry and I guess sort of. Mate, dude, the qualifying every year, nobody Ever knows. You never know.
- [14:34]
C
You never know.
- [14:35]
B
It's always crazy.
- [14:37]
A
But I'm finding some of these names unbelievable. Like with the code of selection this year. Yeah, well, Jamie Overbeak is one of the most skilled kiters I've ever come across in my life.
- [14:48]
B
Outrageous. It's kind of crazy. I don't actually even know what's going on there.
- [14:53]
A
He also, like, smokes some of the guys in Koda Y that are in Coda and he's not in Coda, so that makes no sense.
- [15:01]
B
I've been scratching my head the whole weekend, bro. So it's. It's a difficult one, mate. Anyway, you're off to Cape Town anyway. You're going to go and stick to the plan and do the. Do the full season there.
- [15:12]
A
I'll probably go home for Christmas just because, I mean, I have had quite a long year traveling and stuff. I mean, the first part of the year didn't really go to plan because, you know, the early qualifier was meant to happen at the start of the year. I was waiting in Europe the whole time and then. But yeah, I'm going to go to the, you know, the coda briefings and stuff because I'm invited, you know.
- [15:37]
B
Oh, mate, they're awesome. We'll see. We'll see at the writers meeting for sure. But mate, how has your first year on tour been? I mean, this is the sort of first full year that you've sort of been dedicated to kiteboarding and being on the tour. Have you enjoyed this first year? I mean, obviously to finish the year with a world championship and not make Coda, I know, is not ideal, but it's been a pretty positive year for you, right?
- [15:57]
A
Yeah, I think it's been pretty positive. Um, and I think next year if I come back stronger, I can, you know, get some bigger results. Um, yeah, that's the goal.
- [16:08]
B
When you get to Cape Town, will you be testing with Luke and Julian and working on the new gear as well, or do. Do you enjoy the testing process or you just basically go off and do training?
- [16:18]
A
Yeah, I don't even know what they're up to at the moment, so we'll see. Luke's always up something, so I'm sure I can help out. Yeah, I like testing stuff. It's was actually quite cool last season in Cape Town. I got to try out. You know, we were changing the bridles on the new era and it's amazing how the kite can, like, transform with just changing bridles and stuff. So it's pretty cool.
- [16:47]
B
Has this disappointment been motivating for you? Are you more motivated now? Are you more pissed off and you want to prove that they're wrong?
- [16:54]
A
I think so, yeah. I think I'm pretty pissed off and I think I'm. 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.
- [17:08]
B
The other person who I actually kind of expected to see there was Finn Flugel, to be honest. And the reason why I'll say that is it's. He's from a massively untapped market. The German market is huge. And I know that, you know, I mean, I'm always thinking about business wise as well. I mean, we know Flug Finn is an amazing writer, but I do feel like there's an amazing opportunity to tap into a huge market there with Finn. You know, he's a. He could be a megastar or he's gonna be a megastar, that's for sure.
- [17:33]
A
I think. I think he should be there this year. His skill levels, like, pretty insane if you watch him ride and. Yeah, that's all I have to say about that, I think.
- [17:46]
B
Yeah. We were with Finn in Egypt and he was testing a couple of kites for us. And dude, it's kind of cool to be up close and him just like doing tricks around you. It was pretty impressive. What's the rest of the plans for Abu Dhabi before you head to Cape Town? Are you doing stuff with the gka?
- [18:04]
A
Well, I just did a little fun wakefoil contest a couple hours ago.
- [18:09]
B
How did that go?
- [18:11]
A
I don't know. Don't want to talk about it. No, it was all right. Just basically had no practicing. Just hopped on the wake and had to do some, I don't know, little jumps and stuff. Anyway, it was quite fun, but I'm heading to Cape Town tomorrow, so basically just leaving here pretty soon.
- [18:32]
B
Well, Hugo, look, man, I'll tell you what. We're all super disappointed for you not to make coda, but I definitely want to let you know, man, you did an amazing job winning the Hydro 4 Big Air World Championship. First World Championship for you. I hope there can be many more. I hope this inspires people like Charles and. And Jamie and Finn and you guys to. To Dr. Part of the sport higher. Let's hope you get activated on the reserve list and get to ride king of the air this year.
- [18:57]
A
Yeah, let's see. All right. Thanks, Adrian. See you in Cape Town.
- [19:05]
B
Luca. Good to see you, buddy. I cannot believe it's this time again, it's king of the year time. Crazy how fast this year's gone.
- [19:12]
C
Yeah, it's been. It's been quite a year, to be honest. I think the fact that it's already coded time again, it's like it's years flying. I swear, every year as they get older, it just gets sooner and sooner. This is quite cool.
- [19:25]
B
You wait till you get to my age, bro. It's like a blink of the eye. Looking back at last year's king of the air, mate, I mean, incredible emotions on the podium there. You know, the first South African to be there in 10 years. Do you still think about that moment and look at the video and think, wow, that was crazy times?
- [19:42]
C
Yeah. I mean, just thinking back, like, reflecting on the day, it's. There was so much energy being put into that and built into that event. And then, you know, 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 and everyone else who, like, really played a role into it was like such a special reflection on. On all that, like, energy from. Yeah. The build up to then just reflecting back at, like, wow, this. This just happened, you know, and then. Yeah, I think it's. It's just a very cool moment as well. Like, just knowing that it's in your hometown and it's in South Africa, where you never think you would actually win the biggest events or stand on the podium in the biggest event in the world. And it's.
- [20:34]
A
Yeah, it's.
- [20:35]
C
It's crazy.
- [20:37]
B
I mean, looking back at that now, knowing you've been there and done that, would you approach that. Would you approach that final differently? Because, you know, I know a lot of people, man, they get. They get to the king of their podium, bro, and they're like, I made it. I didn't care what happens now. But I remember Kevin said to me one time, he said when I made the final, he goes, mate, it was just the start. I wanted to kill everyone. And, bro, it's hard to make finals now, right? It's super hard with a. With the quality and not Andrea and Lorenzo and those guys. But looking back and looking at it, would you do something different again if you had that opportunity or when you do get that opportunity, will you approach it differently?
- [21:14]
C
Yeah, I'd say in a way, when I realized that I was in the podium so I beat sign and that was my semi final seed, then I was like, okay, cool, now I'm going to get a spot on the podium. Into the finals. And I was like, okay, cool. This is like awesome. I'm gonna get a spot on the finals. Let me actually just ride and have fun and push. But like, I didn't have that, like, you know, just go for like this is like the ultimate what your life depends on. Sort of like, you know, I'm just gonna kill everyone like Kevin angry said. So looking back at it, I think I would change it to more like, okay, cool. You know, this is just a start. Pretty much doing exactly what Kevin did, but also just realizing that it isn't a heat to, you know, just have fun with and in a way also just push quite a bit harder because I was pretty like in the moment. It's, it's like I'm speaking quite truthfully. It's really a special thing knowing you going to be in the finals of King of the Egg, which is the biggest event in the world. So it's very easy for one's mind to go, okay, cool, like you made it. Now just like go out there and you know, have a good, have a good heat. And yeah, I think something that I've really been working on this year is knowing that. Okay, cool. No matter on if I'm in first heat or in the final heat, like every single heat, it means the world to me. And it's actually something that's, 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. So yeah, I think it's gonna be quite a special build up to this event. And then also just performing this event to really show that how are the.
- [23:08]
B
Motivation levels after that podium and the days after, were you like, that's it, man, I'm a thousand percent committed to this. Is that hard to find those motivation levels again at that sort of, that sort of intensity?
- [23:19]
C
I mean, for me, not really, because I really like, especially from here, the air, as it is the world's biggest event. I know that in my mind and from a childhood, right, I looked up to Kevin Langry and Nick Jacobson and Jesse Richfin and pretty much Mark Jacobs, whoever won the event. And I was like, this is exactly what I want to do. And I've always had this deep desire to, you know, perform and do well in these events. And 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 or like push as hard as I did last year to get into these events. It just Happens naturally. And I'm like, okay, cool, this is what I need to do. Go to the drawing board, go do it and then see what happens.
- [24:07]
B
You mentioned Mark there. I mean we've spoken about a lot and a lot of people might not know, but you are one of Mark's caddies in 2021. And I think Mark took caddying in 2021 to a who about five guys working ferociously on the beach with them. But it was super cool to see you, you know, fulfill your dream. You know, I mean, and I always say to people, you know, if you do get especially young riders, if you do get an opportunity to caddy, it's a great insight to the event. Right? And, and it's a great way to step into that event even if you're not riding, just to be part of the crew, to be part of the riders area. Did you learn a lot from being Mark's caddy before getting into king of the air?
- [24:42]
C
Yeah, for sure. I mean I pretty much studied Mark from like toe to head and it was like watching an idol that I've seen competing and like I've watched all these events and all these videos and then I'm like, oh wow, now I actually get to watch him in real life. And this was something that I really like found really cool. Which yeah, I think looking back at it was something that I took a lot away from because first of all, like, it's, there's something being an athlete, there's also something of being like, okay, cool, watching how he talks to people, watching how he gets ready for the seat, watching what he does in these seats. And there's all this things that go around just being a fresh athlete. Like a lot of people just see, okay, cool, they're Marcos and you know, does these tricks and that's it. Like I got to see his warm up, I got to see his eating, I got to see his like what he's ritual before the heat and then after the heat and it was such a big learning moment for me. And yeah, taking like value out of that was just the most special thing ever. And also having that opportunity to be on Mark's side and you know, help him get to the top spot was also super, super cool.
- [26:00]
B
Yeah, absolutely, yeah. Fly surfer. You know, they must have been super happy with last year. You know, they've always been doing well and woo, you know, they had that woo record but this is the biggest result they had, right? To, to have their, have their gear on the podium, mate. Did you, I mean, how how awesome was it to be around the Fly Surfer team after being on the podium and just seeing how excited they were for you and for their products as well, you know, I mean, you've known Luke McGillowy a long time as well, right? So that must have been pretty awesome.
- [26:28]
C
Yeah, I mean, standing on the podium was one thing, but having my family around me, which is largely involved with Fly Surfer, is like the most special thing ever. Because, like, the way I treat fly stuff, it isn't a. It's not a brand where I ride for. It's like, it's a team that's a family that you ride and you have fun on the water and like, I'm not sure if you've. Well, pretty much. Whoever knows Luke McGillery, you'll see he's always at the beach at Dolphin with his van. If you ever want to get a beer, if you ever want to test kites, he's always there and he's just like the most community active person. And I think that's something that Fleiso is really rich in, like, we really supporting the community. So ultimately, when it was. When it was off Dakota and we. I stood on the podium and whatever, and I came back to the van and we had Modo Salaska, which is the local flight service school, and we had Luke McGillouhee's van and two flights of vans. We were all standing guard and was just like 40, 50 people of like the flights of a family, and my family and everyone else who was involved just there. And it was just such a cool community to, you know, realize that, wow, this is. This is actually what Flyserve is about.
- [27:48]
B
I can 100 agree with you, man. It's. They're one of my favorite brands to, to be around and obviously, you know, and. And you mentioned Luke there a number of times. He is one of the most hospitable people that you'll meet in Cape Town. So, yeah, if you do see the Fly Surfer van, definitely go and say hi because it's. It's worth. It's worth for the free beer as well. With Code around the corner, do you feel some pressure on you to, to back up your last year's performance? Or is that just the same for every event?
- [28:14]
C
Yeah, it's pretty much the same for every event. But no, I would say, actually, let me change that. It's not the same for every event because Code is the biggest event. So naturally in one's mind, you have put more pressure on yourself. But what I like to work with my mind and say to myself is like every event you've got a new person and you've got a new person that has had like, say, for instance, something bad has happened to you just before the event. You're not the same person as the person who competed in the previous event, if you know what I mean. So you always have to treat yourself or I always have to treat myself like a. Okay, cool. This is Luca 2.0 for Coda 2024. For Coda 2025, this is Luca 3.0. And yeah, I'm pretty much trying to be as I'm trying to train on a very natural basis to what has happened in my life. And yeah, then ultimately just perform to where I know my mindset level is at and yeah, go for it.
- [29:22]
B
Let's talk kites. I mean, you're an interesting position here. You have the Era 2 and the Sonic 5 to choose from a very different quiver. But arguably you're probably holding more aces than a lot of other guys because you have a lot of options on kites. I know there's been a lot of chat between your, you and the team saying, hey, we're going to bring the Sonic 5 out. It's going to be written. I know Jamie Overbeek's been riding it. He was being talking about riding in the competition. Unfortunately, he didn't make cota, which we can talk about in a second. What are you going to take? What are you going to go with?
- [29:54]
C
Well, pretty much it's. It's quite fascinating question because anything could happen on the day and I'm really excited to see what happens on the day because if it is, let's say sub 25 knots, then the forecasts are going to absolutely rip even sub 30 knots. And I don't think you can match the. The hang time and the second lift of the fall card. Like, it actually just looks like you've got a kite that is on par, which is like with every other kite. And then that's your leading edit driver kites. And then you got the full kite. That just gives you that like 20, 30% more like distance traveled. Flying up, flying down. Oh, wait, there the kite catches you, goes another like 3, 4, 5 meters up, which you never see on another kite. So if that ever happens with like person sitting on the beach, it's just like an automatic, like, okay, wow. So to the viewer's perspective and for the judge's perspective, I think it's going to score really well. And then for the like, 35, nice. 40, 50, 60 knots. If we get never been 60 knots in coda, which is. Yeah, if that your. Imagine 60 knots encoded, that would be historical.
- [31:15]
A
Wow.
- [31:15]
B
I don't want to be on the beach. No one will be watching.
- [31:19]
C
I feel sorry for the cameraman here. Like all the camera lens destroyed anyways. I think I would be on 8, 9, 7, error and yuck. We just be ripping those. So honestly, I'm feeling really confident. Whatever it is, it's full kites, leading edge, inflatable kites, whatever comes away. Just we're going to go perform and yeah, I think, I think it's going to be a really cool event to hopefully show both of the kites. Like, if it's one day we get foil kites, wind, and then the other day we get leading edge inflatable wins, then yeah, it'll be really cool.
- [31:57]
B
And are you riding any different types of fins? Are you riding any proprietary fins or just the standard fins on the board?
- [32:04]
C
Yes. So I'm riding the orca fins. So pretty much these fins give you like a 10%, 10% downforce grip in the water and it's, it's quite cool because when you want like extra control in the water, just before you pop, you got this 10% of control. But then when you're just riding normally, you don't like really feel it too much. So it's more of a fin that allows me to have the control when needed, but also be very playful when I want to play for like, it's not fun that just like locks in the board and I think that's pretty cool to anyone that's like wanting to see. Okay, cool. Will this fin be good for me? Will this one not be good for me? Pretty much. If you want more precision when you need it, that's when the fin like really operates. And if you want to be playful, then it's super playful.
- [32:55]
B
Yeah, yeah, sure. Well, let's. Let's talk about Hugo. I mean, what was your action when you saw Hugo didn't make the king of the fleet? Were you as shocked as me?
- [33:06]
C
Yeah, I mean, I'm not too. I'm not too sure how in depth I can go with this. Obviously, I've got to watch what I say. Personally, I think Hugo should have been in. He is running really well and yeah, unfortunately he's not in. Like, for me, he should really be in. There's no, there's no doubt about it. He's ripping. He's won, what, the hydrofoiling events twice now and overall he's probably the Most consistent like up and coming rider there is. So I really want to see him in this event and the fact that he isn't is actually just a shock to me. But that being said, I can't control what happens and the title of my ball game. So, yeah, hopefully he's in accident.
- [33:59]
B
I mean, even Jamie, bro, is another head scratcher. And I mean, that's the, that's even the biggest one for me, bro. You know, I said Hugo because he was a teammate, but Jamie Everakers, I really, I don't know, I can't. I mean, I can't even think of why he wouldn't. But I know he's riding the Sonic 5 now and Jamie's been very particular about the kites he likes and what I've heard, this is a kite he really likes and.
- [34:20]
C
Yeah, for sure. I mean, it's. Well, firstly, also another one I should, I personally think should be in this, Jamie. But then, yes, regarding the kites, it's. It is quite cool to, to hear Jamie saying that because honestly, like, the amount of work and the amount of time and effort Benito and myself have put into creating these kites, it's, it's really, really showing. And I really feel like these kites are here for the future and they're going to be performing way better than most kites, which, yeah, I think ultimately it's, it's going to be the game changer, which actually it's. It says game changer on the kite, which is quite. But it's going to be the game.
- [35:09]
B
You've got a. You got a. You got a future of marketing, brother. Don't worry. Luca, thanks for your time today, brother. I'm gonna see you in a week and a half in Cape Town, mate. I can't wait to see you back down there. I can't wait to see these kites in action because I like the fact that, that you guys are prepared to shake up the system, man, and, and maybe this is what it needs. You know, if they, they want to see something different, they're going to see something different when you guys take to the water. So, hey, good luck, brother. And we see you soon, huh?
- [35:34]
C
Amazing. Thank you. And I want to see you rip a full card soon too.
- [35:37]
B
I have a soul too, my man. I have a soul too. I'm. I'm a soul. Yeah, there's only five I need. Yeah. You hear that, Chris? Yeah. Hook me up. All right, mate. See you soon.
- [35:48]
A
Amazing.
- [35:48]
C
Thanks, Adrian. Cheers.
- [35:50]
B
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