Kitesurf365 Megapod – EXCLUSIVE Megaloop List Revealed + Slingshot Machine V3 | August 21, 2025

Overview

In this lively episode of The Megapod, hosts Adrian Kerr and Colin Colin Carroll dive deep into the just-announced full Red Bull Megaloop rider lists, dissect the excitement around new faces and format changes, and offer a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation with recently invited Greek/Turkish big air phenom Yusul “YouSaw” Parallik. The episode further explores the inaugural women’s Megaloop fleet, the technology and vision behind the new Slingshot Machine V3 kite, tongue-in-cheek kiteboarding team rivalries for Woo Worlds, and the evolving landscape of age restrictions at major events.

Main Segments & Timestamps

1. Opening: The Impact of Megaloop ([00:00] – [00:26])

• Adrian and Colin set the tone by highlighting how megaloop-level events can make legends out of “mere mortals.”
• “It makes legends out of the mere mortals of our sport.” — Adrian [00:00]
• Joking about the age of elite kiters and how the sport is skewing younger.

2. Red Bull Megaloop: Full Rider List Breakdown ([00:26] – [07:13])

The Final 16 ([00:49])

• Adrian reads out the first 10 invites and the latest 6 from video entries:
  • Invited 10: Andrea Principi, Lorenzo Casati, Jeremy Burlando, Cohan Van Dijk, Jason Van der Spuy, Stino Mul, Louka Pitot, Luca Ceruti, Jet Bradshaw, Jamie Overbeek.
  • Video Entries: Leonardo Casati, Josh Gillett, Baby Shark, Yusul Ferreira (aka YouSaw), Hugo Wigglesworth, Timo Boersema.
• “YouSaw Parallik—never saw that one coming!” — Adrian [00:38]

Commentary on the Lineup

• Insightful analysis on each addition, especially the inclusion of “short line” riders like Jet Bradshaw and YouSaw, signaling a shift in style and technicality.
• “They have no right to be there, no right to be competing alongside the likes of Andrea Principi and Lorenzo Casati. But… they're actually sick at this very specific style of kiteboarding that Megaloop has decided to go in the direction of, thanks to Ruben Lenten.” — Colin [04:29]
• Discussion on rider ages and commitment to evolving gear setups, particularly with Harlem’s focus on optimizing kites for short (18m) lines ([03:04]).

3. Deep Dive: Interview with Yusul “YouSaw” Parallik ([08:04] – [14:58])

• Colin and Adrian call YouSaw for an on-air reaction to his Megaloop entry ([08:15]).
  • “Reuben called me a few days ago. So happy, super stoked for it.” — YouSaw [08:25]
• Technical breakdown of kit choices:
  • Board: 136 Choice 5 (“the grip on the board is really good” [09:27])
  • For super loop: considering a bigger board (138) for better pressure on the kite with shorter lines.
  • Kite: Normal Pace (7m for super loops, 8m for technical tricks).
  • Lines: Plans to bring sets of 16m, 14m, and 9m lines, but expects to mostly ride 16m ([12:17])
  • “The loop catches you really nice and the kite, like, wants to go low. I found like the kite goes really low and catches you really fast.” — YouSaw [11:30]
• Unique circumstance: rides under North Cyprus flag due to direct government sponsorship — “They want me to represent them at the competitions and everywhere I go. So that’s why.” — YouSaw [14:00]
  • Adrian: “I think you might be the only rider in the whole world that's sponsored by a country.” [14:30]

4. First Ever Women’s Megaloop Fleet Announced ([15:11] – [17:39])

• Adrian lists the six-rider women’s fleet:
  • Francesca Maini, Zara Hoogenraad, Nathalie Lambrecht, Sara Sadik, Svenja Zoe Peters, Lana Herman.
• Notable exclusions and debate:
  • Pippa van Iersel’s absence raises questions ([15:37]), as does Mika’s (Mikaili Sol) decision not to compete ([16:48]).
  • “I would have put Pippa Van Erssel in there.” — Colin [15:34]
• Explains transition away from short lines in the women’s fleet for this edition, referencing Jason van der Spuy’s advice ([17:39]).

5. Short Line Strategy Discussion ([17:39] – [19:49])

• The hosts discuss technical pros and cons of short lines for Megaloop and different riders’ approaches.
  • “If you listen to Jason Van der Spuy… you'd be silly not to ride 18 meters, because the shorter you go, the less height you get.” — Colin [17:39]
• Importance of having time to test different line lengths during the event, with a single trick sometimes being decisive ([13:10], [18:35]).

6. Gear News: Slingshot Machine V3 Unveiled ([19:49] – [26:51])

Interview Clip: Jeremy Burlando ([20:23])

• Kite Overview: Designed primarily for big boost, vertical jumps, and hang time; not primarily for loop performance.
  • “The machine V3 is maybe not the best kite looping kite, but for sure one of our best lifting kites and hangtime kites that we have in the lineup.” — Jeremy Burlando [21:10]
• Differences: Outlines how the Machine V3 differs from the Code V2; notes the V3’s harder bar pressure and feedback.
  • “If we want to jump high and just do like foil dogs and train them, then later on do them with kite loops, I think it's like one of the best kites we can have.” — Jeremy [21:10]
• Development Story: V3 project was started before Code NXT, set aside, and then finished with learnings from the NXT process ([22:46]).
• Position in Quiver: Not likely to be Jeremy’s comp kite (he’ll stay with NXT), but fills “Rebel-like” old-school big jump niche ([24:49]).
  • “It's going to sound crazy now, but a little bit like the way the Rebel used to be for Duotone… old school big jumping kite.” — Adrian [24:49]

7. Kiteboarding Anecdotes & Short Line Fails ([27:27] – [30:44])

• Humorous recounting of Jetto and Jason Van der Spuy’s “Road to Pro” short line disaster, warning against copying the pros in gnarly winds.
  • “No one should find Jetto in this instance, inspiring… shouldn’t really have put him out in 40, gusting more… for his first short line session.” — Colin [28:15]
  • “Jetto does it like a normal mega loop, despite Jason saying everything.” — Colin [29:21]
• Light-hearted banter on the physical toughness and resilience of the top riders.

8. Cold Hawaii Age Policy Controversy ([30:44] – [33:57])

• Denmark Red Bull raises minimum competitor age to 18, excluding key young talents.
  • “It is suffocating in the development of the sport… these young men and women are completely in control of their kite at all times.” — Adrian [33:00]
• Colin’s counterview: “It gives... two spots to other riders. I don't think it's so bad.” [32:37]
• Discussion of energy drink law driving the decision.

9. Woo Worlds Team Rivalries & Roster Banter ([34:03] – [44:00])

• The hosts launch into full banter mode, comparing team rosters with playful bragging and trash talk.
  • “Will there be a prize for, like, most cumulative age, you guys? Over a thousand maybe.” — Colin [34:14]
  • Adrian’s “Wu Tang Clan” team: “Now you don't have to jump off any more buildings, bro. You have to jump off any more big rocks. You can just concentrate on some competitions. For a while.” [14:39]
  • Colin’s “Shipmunks” team: extensive roster rundown ([38:16]–[40:58]).
• Notable team switches, laments about defectors (e.g., Aya), comical promise of “maybe” giving away prize money.
• “This is the leadership that people come for, Colin. I'm the pot, I'm the earth and I give them the water. They're the seed and let them grow.” — Adrian [43:09]

Notable Quotes

• “It makes legends out of the mere mortals of our sport.” — Adrian [00:00]
• “They have no right to be there... but do you know what? Those two are actually sick at this very specific style of kiteboarding… thanks to Ruben Lenten.” — Colin [04:29]
• “There’s been people come into these heats with one minute to go and still won.” — Adrian [13:10]
• “I think you might be the only rider in the whole world that's sponsored by a country.” — Adrian (to YouSaw) [14:30]
• “I would have put Pippa Van Erssel in there.” — Colin [15:34]
• “If you listen to Jason Van der Spuy… you'd be silly not to ride 18 meters, because the shorter you go, the less height you get.” — Colin [17:39]
• “The machine V3 is maybe not the best kite looping kite, but for sure one of our best lifting kites and hangtime kites that we have in the lineup.” — Jeremy Burlando [21:10]
• “No one should find Jetto in this instance, inspiring… we shouldn’t really have put him out in 40, gusting more… for his first short line session.” — Colin [28:15]
• “It is suffocating in the development of the sport… like, if you look at all extreme sports, it's all going younger… it's a shame that we've done this.” — Adrian [33:00]
• “I'm the pot, I'm the earth and I give them the water. They're the seed and let them grow.” — Adrian [43:09]

Tone & Energy

• The episode oscillates delightfully between technical inside-baseball, candid interviews, and irreverent banter—delivering insider knowledge, gear geekery, and off-the-wall “lads at the pub” exchanges with signature Megapod humour.

Episode Highlights and Key Timestamps

• [00:49] Full Megaloop riders list announced; analysis of each pick.
• [08:15] YouSaw interview: reactions and technical gear talk.
• [15:11] Women’s Megaloop fleet revealed; notable absences discussed.
• [20:23] Jeremy Burlando on the Slingshot Machine V3: design, performance, niche.
• [27:34] Jetto’s short-line disaster anecdote—kiteboarding fails.
• [30:44] Cold Hawaii raises age limit—discussion of implications.
• [34:03] Woo Worlds team rivalry: team rosters, leadership, and good-natured trash talk.

For Listeners

This episode is a must-listen for those following the top tiers of competitive kiteboarding, gear innovation, and the growing importance of both youth and inclusivity in kite sport. The energy is infectious, the tech-geek deep dives are valuable for insiders, and the banter keeps it unashamedly fun—true to “utter rubbish” promises, but never lacking in genuine insight. If you want a finger on the pulse of Big Air and Megaloop culture, this is your stop.