B (2:27)

You Know, I mean, even for air rush, that's a good thing, right? Because you know, they want riders who are motivated and ready to work. And, you know, that's something I never thought about. You know, sometimes I guess you can get a bit stale, right? You can feel a bit flat with a position that you're in. You know, if you're not getting your sort of that motivation or you're getting that excitement out of it anymore, that can happen easy, I guess.

A (2:46)

Yeah, exactly. Well, I mean, the thing is that Eros I was, I was doing a lot. I felt like I was doing on the up end of what most athletes and riders should be doing. You know, I was involved obviously, just as a team writer, promoting the kite, developing the kites in R D, taking on a lot of the media and social obligations, orchestrating shoots, paying for them on my behalf, and then only getting refund at a later stage. And not even personal shoes. Like I was really deeply involved in the brand, which I thoroughly enjoyed, but it also really distracted me from allowing me to just purely focus on myself. And with the team slowly shrinking over time, the responsibility just became a little bit heavier because then there was no one to any bounce at all. But by no means was it a bad thing. I actually, I thoroughly enjoyed the pressure in that regard, but it wasn't the kind of pressure that I was looking for.

B (3:39)

How does a brand change work for someone at your level and exposure in the sport? Do you start approaching brands or do you let a brands approach you? I mean, obviously with Alyssa already been at Nash, right, There's, there's a natural pathway, but how does that work? Do you go and start talking to brands that you'd be interested to work with or do brands come to you?

A (4:01)

Well, so I'll just say it exactly as it is. Last year, Nash reached out to me and Alessa for 2025 and obviously Alessa went through with it and I didn't. And then this year when I think there was a bit of chatter about that I was gonna, or that I was open to switching brands and maybe there was also a bit of chatter about Erosh gonna be sold off to Alex and a bit of change in the company. There was discussions that I had with three major brands first. And the thing is, I've been in the industry for quite some time, so it's not like, it's not like as you expect, I would reach out to the brand and provide a pitch deck. It's more like I'll send one of the guys from the brands a message and be like, hey, you know, like, let's chat in this kind of way. And then when the, when the word really got out that I was going to be making a switch, there was another three brands that reached out to me. So in total, I kind of had seven options to go through with. And the thing is also, like, it makes it quite difficult when you have quite a few options because I don't like talking to a brand and then talking to another brand in silence behind and like, you know, negotiating a better deal for myself, because that's kind of not where I don't really want to put myself in that position. I just want to go with the brand that I feel like I'll work well with and not screw anyone over in the process. Because this industry is so lifted together that people talk and they'll know in the future. Like, not really a super straightforward process, but as soon as the word gets out, you just get involved in so many discussions and so many opportunities come up.

B (5:45)

Yeah, I mean, it's funny, right? There's literally probably less than 50 people in this industry and we've got all their phone numbers, so. I understand.

A (5:51)

Exactly.

B (5:52)

You can just start picking up the phone and calling team managers and stuff like that. It's pretty, pretty.

A (5:57)

Like, for example, with Gary Scott. He was someone that used to work at Liquor Force and I was of responsibility for the boss. And then we had a great relationship and I left Liquor Force and he moved on from Liquor Force. And if that ended badly and discussions ended with burnt bridges, then down the line, maybe a slingshot right Engine deal wouldn't have become fruitful or if there was tires just naturally going. But, like, you really have to be careful. That's also what I tell all the people that I possibly can that are in the industry, like Josh and, and Luca and everyone, that you really have to be careful who you. Who you're kind of burning bridges with, because you never really know where you're going to end up in the future.

B (6:36)

And people hear everything. You know, that's the other thing as well.

A (6:40)

Right.

B (6:40)

You know, if you. I mean, I don't want to say any names, but we, we all know a rider now who's in a pretty tough position because, you know, maybe he's let his reputation get the better of his. His writing. Let's put it that way. We know that person.

A (6:54)

Exactly.

B (6:55)

I mean, it's. It's tough to be in, you know, you know, when that comes to that negotiation process. Jason, I mean, you've got some of the most Iconic shots in the sport. Right. Is that part of the negotiation process? Because you've had these incredible short line photos, as I said, probably some of the most iconic ever taken. Plus you're doing maps of home. You're pretty prolific with your social media and what you do. Is that a big part of the deal as well? Do they want that? Is it that what they want? Or do they still want you to be a competition rider?

A (7:25)

It's. I think they go hand in hand because at the moment, competition gives you as an athlete credibility, but it also gives the gear that you're riding credibility if it performs well. So this is always like a factor that they're looking for, but it's what a lot of the. I think the people are slowly learning and slowly starting to see is that you really have to be someone that, yes, you have to ride with a competition, but you have to be marketable. You have to be able to put assets in seats and have credibility to your word and ultimately just sell people on what you do and what you ride. And brands really are looking after this. Like a majority of the discussions that I had was a lot of the talk was about my social media presence and my media that I put out and my connections and networking. So it really is a big factor and it's also kind of what I've installed in Luca a little bit since we start traveling together. I've really pushed them to nail down on the content, the social media, because the bigger you're following and the bigger your interns, the better it is for brands, because you can now start doing trips, you can start having camps, you can really start connecting with your audience and solve the narratives of what the brands are trying to push. But obviously with that comes responsibility. And if you are, if you're lying to big followings and audiences, then it doesn't really end up well. It is a big discussion in the negotiations for sure.

B (8:54)

Because I guess with, you know, Timo Boisma leaving Nash as well, that, you know, that does open up a huge hole. You know, not having Nash kites and comps. And with you being there, Stig being, let's be honest, Stig's a bit of a. Well, he is a content guy. He's not really interested in it. I guess the next cab off the rank would be like Matthias Romeo Glue. Are you going to have help him sort of make that step up and. And be. Because I know he wants to step up from where he is to that next level. Right. And it is difficult to break into that. Let's say top. Top 20. I think that's probably fair to say. Are you going to try and help those guys as well, to. To make that step up into that sort of being picked in every fleet?

A (9:32)

Yeah, sure. Matisse is. We actually, like, we've. We've connected so well already and we've just started this journey. He's such a great guy and he's super talented, so I'm definitely going to try help him and navigate him to get to the point when he is in the top 20, for sure. I think number one step is just to get the gear as good as possible in Nash, which there's something very special coming, which I'm quite excited about. And he's obviously, Matisse is really excited about this, but, yeah, for sure, it's definitely the goal to get him up there because he is such an amazing person as well, apart from his riding, such an incredible human. I mean, if you look at the team, at Nash as well, like you said, you've got Stig, content creator, really creative mind, which is really cool, because now I feel like I'm in the middle. I've still got the competition side and the creative side, so I can connect with Stig on the creative side. And we've had a couple of chats and the ideas that have been popping out was just fantastic. And then obviously with Matisse, the upcoming competition guy, we can also connect on that regard. I feel like it's a good mix.

B (10:30)

You know, I always say to Matisse, I said, matisse, the problem with you is your last name, mate. Romeo Glu is just way too hard for anyone to say. And he just. What I love about Matisse most, he just. He just laughs. He's got the biggest smile, actually, I'll tell you what, he's. He's a great kid and I. I do hope he can make that step up because he just brings nice guy energy, you know, he's got. Just always got a big smile on his face.

A (10:51)

Yeah, he's fantastic. And he definitely will. He, like, honestly, the way he's riding and the things he's doing, I'm even just giving him some eyeballs. Yeah, I got it. I got to keep the level up, you know, otherwise I'm going to be in a bit of trouble.

B (11:03)

Mate. What can you tell us about these kites? Because we've seen the new kites around social media. A lot of people saying, is that brainchild. You know what you guys have all come out and said, it's. No, it's similar type of Material. What can you tell us about these kites and what was your sort of first impression when you got on them?

A (11:18)

Well, the kites are only going to be releasing late in the year, so I'm pretty tied to what I can say, but what I can say is it's not Brainchild in the way that you think. So people can put that puzzle together. It's. It's not ralph, but maybe technology, maybe materials, maybe all of the stuff that makes Brainchild Brainchild is there, but that's pretty much as much as I can say. But honestly, I joined Nash, obviously, I tested a bit of the gear, but I didn't really, really test this new kite that is coming. I was chatting to Ewan about it and I was looking at the files and I was. I was listening to all the philosophies and everything that they were trying to print. This kite and I was watching videos of it perform, and it kind of sold me immediately. I mean, the first time I flew is very much not like anything Nash has. And it is probably, without a doubt the fastest nine square meter on the market in terms of five shots we get. Guys, it is rapid, like you and I was pulling the floats a little bit, for sure, but you can easily do doubles on a 9 square meter, which is just ridiculous. So put me on a seven or an eight. That's just, you know, it's a joke. Even though doubles aren't really the big thing, but it just shows the speed that this thing has. There's a couple things that we're still working on. It's not a final product, but there's another run of prototypes coming in shortly, that is. So let's see. I'm very excited.

B (12:50)

How are you finding working with Ewan? Obviously, Ewan Jasper, you know, legendary park rider back in the day, freestyle rider, you know, big name in the sport a few years ago, especially on the park scene and the freestyle scene. How are you finding working with him when it comes to Biggie kites? He's a newer designer. He's been in the job two or three years now, maybe a little bit longer. Is he. Is he open to listening? Because I always find that sometimes he's got, you know, the guys have a bit of resistance from. From before or you guys already working well together straight away?

A (13:18)

Well, the thing with Ewan is quite funny because immediately we connected, of course, we connected as. As, let's say, professional Kaisers. So there's that kind of relationship outside of Nash. And then obviously in Nash, we have a relationship, the hierarchy Relationship where he's a designer and I am under him testing, co designing, feedback and all of this stuff. And I'm teamwide as well. So there's kind of two relationships that we're juggling, but we seem to manage it pretty well. I connect with him perfectly. We understand each other. And the thing when it comes to giving design critique, for example, I kind of also understand designer sometimes because they have this vast amount of knowledge. I mean, just to create a kite on its own, nevermind, a great kite, is a hell of a complex thing. And when you start pushing the envelope on innovation and performance of a kite, you really know what you're talking about. And then you get some riders and some athletes that think, oh yeah, the, you know, this is the issue and we must do this and fix this and stuff, when that's just not the case at all. So the kind of way that I work with you is I tell him what I'm feeling and I tell him what I want and then I have a slight suggestion of what I think it possibly could be, and then everything is perfectly fine. When it comes to chatting with design and the people that just tell them this needs to change and this needs to change because this is shit. That's when kind of the issues start.

B (14:44)

I mean, you bring quite a lot of experience, right? I mean, even back in the lacuna days, you know, I remember old school days, you and before DK and that you and Luke were testing. I know you've been involved with air rush as well. So I mean, you know, I don't want to say you, I don't want to say you're one of the young riders these days, mate, because you're sort of like one of the older guys and I guess these days, which is kind of crazy, but you have a lot of experience when it comes to testing kites and especially kites at all different levels. Right. You know, back in, you know, lacuna, the pre. Lacuna. I'm talking earlier lacuna, you know, that, that must have been some pre. You must have gained valuable experience then as well, right?

A (15:17)

For sure. And the thing is, the early lacuna days was working with Ben from Majestic Designs. All the bars were reading and all the bars. So I was working with Ben, obviously I didn't know much that it was just all about listening, listening, listening and just taking it in and testing and seeing his ideas come to reality. And then when it made the switch over to air rush, this is kind of when the most experience came through. Like I learned an invaluable amount of things that just cannot be replaceable. And I think the reason I actually learned so much is because the kites were never perfect or they never exactly what I wanted. And I was always looking how we can make the kite better. What can we do, what can we do, what can we do? And obviously it comes to ultimately the designers discretion to whether they want to make these changes and stuff. But definitely I learned so much throughout these years, honestly, invaluable. I've been, I mean, even in air rush days and lacuna days, I was holding my own bridles for three days before Kofi. You know, it's good. I mean a rough journey, but it's good knowledge.

B (16:17)

Are you guys shooting another maps at home this year? And if you are shooting a new maps at home, will it include the Nashkites?

A (16:24)

Yes, if we are shooting it, it definitely will include the Nashkites. Where are we shooting it? It's a bit of a gray area at the moment because we now into January and we pretty much have to do it now. We are keen to do it. We've got some epic spots and epic storylines to tell. But there's a little bit of a shoot in February that, that might stand in the middle of completing the series, but we'll see. It's definitely, definitely, yeah.

B (16:49)

Yes. Sorry about that, mate. Sorry about that. Hey, I want to ask you about Fly surf. I mean there was some rumors about Fly Surfer going around, you know, you are, you know, down there around the whole fly Surfer team based in Cape Town. You know, it's tested in Cape Town, it's designed there. Was that a, was that a. An option on the table? Because a lot of people at first glance would have said, oh, surely he's going to fly surfer. With Luca being there and how close to Luke McGilloway and those, was that seriously a consideration?

A (17:20)

It. So, I mean, yes, of course the, the idea of joining fly surf is fantastic because you've got Luke McGillery out there with the testing, the fantastic friends. The whole team over at Fly Surf is incredible, great gear. And then obviously they got the whole sonics and flares and that side. So it's a very enticing brand. The thing is, and pretty much the main factor, everyone thinks that joining a brand with, let's say your best mate Luka is an amazing thing to do. Which in theory, yes, but in reality it's also then it becomes who gets more money, who gets to keep these prototypes, who does better, another one in competition who can climb the way up. So there's this kind of competition that kind of becomes, let's say, not so nice in that regard. And I don't think that, if I'm being dead honest, I don't think that I would want to do that. And also, I don't think the flights would want to put me in a place of Luka. And there's no chance that I'd want it because, Luke, at the moment, supply surf is just a fantastic master tool. So the discussion was had a little bit, and then it just kind of faded out because of all of the stuff I just mentioned, and I didn't really want to. And I mean, also they got Yuga up and coming, which is. Which is just also a fantastic option for future competition writers. So I was kind of looking for my own thing. And also another kind of factor is if Luca and I are doing projects together, for example, it's good to have more brands supporting the duo. I think a lot of people don't realize it. And I mean, kiting is an individual sport. Of course, it's you and your sponsors and your own competition at the end of the day. But for me, I'm really trying to build this narrative of the sappers. So, I mean, the staff is just a term for South Africans traveling abroad, but I kind of use it as a term for all of us staffers that are kiting and trying to pursue this dream together. And my mission really is to actually bring everyone up together. So me and Luca, now it's me, Luca and Josh. And then there's up and coming riders that I'm kind of eyeballing. And I think if we can all just bring each other up together because that's just who we are as people and community, that's kind of the main goal as well. And the more brand scenario.

B (19:31)

Who are those two young kids on Duotone? Coming up, what are the two brothers called coming out of South Africa?

A (19:37)

Dam. And forgot his other name.

B (19:39)

Yeah.

A (19:40)

What's these kids?

B (19:40)

Honestly, what's their last name?

A (19:44)

I have no idea. I just know the kid is Damo.

B (19:46)

Yeah.

A (19:47)

Yeah.

B (19:47)

It's something like. It's something like Ro Rolles or something like that. Rolf. It's. It's an African's name. Yeah, Yeah, I. I'll find that.

A (19:56)

Yeah. Chuck it in there. They are incredible.

B (19:58)

Yeah, they definitely are.

A (19:59)

Like, I don't know if you.

B (20:01)

But, dude, I was watching during Kota, bro. During Kota, I was looking at my. I was staying at Dolphin Beach. I look out the window and I see two duotone, the 2026 D labs. And I'm walking down Dakota and there's Andrea riding the 20, 25D lab. I'm like, what is going on here? But. But I. I saw them and I saw. I saw them with Ross, Dylan Player out there riding, and I was like, okay, these kids must be. Must be somebody.

A (20:23)

They literally look like mosquitoes on kites. But then they're doing these crazy things. It's ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

B (20:29)

You know, you're speaking, Jason, about, you know, rising tide lifts, all boats and building the community. I kind of like the fact that you're going to Nash and having more teammates around you. I always feel like when air rush, you were kind of like alone all the time. You know, it was just like you being the person, you know, holding the fort for that brand there. But it's. Is it gonna. Is it feeling nicer going to a bigger team and having that sort of feeling of people around you, like, you're sort of talking about now?

A (20:54)

It is irreplaceable. Like, honestly, I think it's also one of the biggest things for me because over at Bratti, for example, there's a great team and to get things done is just a message. And then there's an entire army of people doing all the jobs. Whereas at era, that was not quite the case. Quite some stock. And now at Nash, they got. I mean, I feel like it's just Dutch brands, to be honest. The. The work ethic, when it's work time is just there, and then when it's off time, you're off, you know. But if. When it's work time and you need to get stuff done, there's a whole army of people doing it. The meetings are scheduled professionally through zooms with ink and everything, and it's just, yeah, shit gets done. And then having team riders as well on the beach. So, for example, with you. And now he's sent some kite in and I have to build some bridles and test some things and do all of this kind of stuff in an era, so I'll just have to stand on the beach, launch and land myself and do all this stuff alone. Whereas now I can just pop a message to the Nash team rider group, and then there's four or five people that are keen and ready to help, which is sick.

B (21:52)

What about Nash House, man? I mean, surely you're speaking about doing another Nash House, one of the sort of legendary series in videos. I know they did a Nash House Brazil maybe three years ago, four years ago. Now, is that. Is that going to happen? I Mean, surely we need another Nash house, right, with you.

A (22:07)

I don't know if I'm gonna get in trouble for saying this, but, yeah, there's gonna be, like. I don't know, but there's. There's a new episode. This is being planned and plotted out pretty much exactly when I get back from. From Japan. So that was also kind of. The fact of ours has me. You guys. He's gonna come back on the 14th because they already wanted to shoot it at the start, during the. During the exact time. I don't even know if I can say I'm going to Japan, can I? You must have to beep that out.

B (22:34)

No, that's okay. We're going to Japan.

A (22:36)

Go to Japan, Jim. I'm coming, baby.

B (22:39)

I can't believe Jetto Pete and you in Japan. That's going to be outrageous.

A (22:45)

What a combination. I mean, I got. I just got my visa approved, which is fantastic. Japan almost didn't happen. Because, bro, funny you say that.

B (22:52)

I was having a meeting with Ben the other day. I was like, man, why are we working with South African writers? Because he's like, what's going on?

A (22:57)

I said, yeah, exactly.

B (22:59)

We're having visa problems. He's like, oh, shit. I never thought about it.

A (23:03)

No, it's. Honestly, it's ridiculous. I didn't even think about it when I booked it as well. And then my brain ticked. I was like, oh, Jesus, I'm on a slap for your passport. Like, can I even go to Japan in the first place? And then it all worked out kind of fine, but the only issue was that I had to get documents. You can imagine. I'm just goes. I don't know if I should say this. No, I'm sure it's fine. Definitely. The Japanese government isn't going to listen, but all the documents that I needed from Jessa, I just completely did my. The only thing I got from Jetta was the passport, but every other document from Jetta was actually a document from Jason with a Jetta Jason signature. So that was kind of the only way to get it.

B (23:40)

Hey, geese, before I let you go, did you. Did you see that video footage coming out of Israel? I woke up to it, so it must have happened yesterday, where that guy gets caught in that updraft. Did you see that?

A (23:51)

Yeah, I did. That is just. I don't even know, like, because they were saying. It was just.

B (23:56)

He came down. Okay. Apparently, those two other guys there was. You know, they see that it looked like two foil kites and, like, mega problem. Death loops you know?

A (24:04)

Yeah, yeah. I don't. I don't understand how something like this could really happen because I mean, I've been in conditions that said all the tram before when you got 20 to 60 knots for sure. But this was something that was so strange. You just absolutely rocked the people. Like the guy went what, like 100 meters high or something? Terrifying.

B (24:20)

That's got to be the biggest mega loop ever. I think that that mega loop could be 50 meters.

A (24:25)

Like, I know it's a tragic event, but opportunity missed with a woo or a surfer device on you.

B (24:29)

Dude, Honestly, I don't think he meant to pull that loop. I just think that's just terror. You know what happened?

A (24:36)

No, see the thing, if you look because it.

B (24:39)

Dude, that whips them up a whole bunch more. But if you look at the footage, there's still people riding around. So it just. And also, it's Israel, right? I mean, look, we're not talking outside of Shahar Sabri. You're not going to say Israel is a place of amazing riders. So let's say that something happened. There was a storm, but a mega gust came through and just cleaned up those people. But man, that dude must have been shitting his pants. Absolutely. His pants.

A (25:02)

I checked out his Instagram as well. There's no K. He just looks like a normal regular dude that kites for a hobby. And he has officially done the world's highest sound loop and the world's biggest jump. Something that all of us have been pursuing forever. And he's just done it. But I don't think he ever wants to probably touch a kite again on his Instagram.

B (25:19)

There's one footage of him just doing a one footer. Exactly.

A (25:24)

And he just did a fucking seven meter download.

B (25:26)

70 meter. We did about a 50 meter high. Then he pulled him loop and just whipped him up even higher. Yeah, it's crazy that that footage is going around. I'm sure everyone's seen it. I will reach out. I have actually reached out to that guy to record something small with him just to find out more. But I've also. I've also asked Shahar as well to say, hey, what happened? Is it something we should talk about? I know someone died, so I don't really want to make a big deal.

A (25:47)

Of it, but to the family and everything, that is a rough tragic.

B (25:52)

Would those guys have gone out that day in. In Lords of Tram? No, not even. Not even the pros route. So it must have been just the gusts coming through because otherwise no one would have been out in those strong winds.

A (26:02)

No one would have been there saying that. It was just like a good 30, 35, not day riding, pretty powered on slightly smaller guys, but nothing too ridiculous until those guys came through because, I mean, Lords of tram was gusting 60. What was it, 67 or 68 at one point, and you couldn't even sit down as a pro. So I don't know. What a. What a crazy freak accident.

B (26:26)

All right, brother. Well, thank you very much for your time, mate. I know you're up in Mozambique and we've had to do this on the phone call just because of that classic Mozambique Internet. But, mate, congratulations on joining Nash, of course. Happy New Year to you and Alyssa, and I'm looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks, mate in, in, in Okinawa.

A (26:43)

Thank you very much. I'll see you in Jessa's homeland. I'm quite excited. Oh, God.

B (26:50)

Hey, guys, I hope you enjoyed that episode. Don't forget, if you want to support the show, the easiest way is to support us for free. Rate us on Spotify. I'm loving those five star reviews. Keep them coming in. If you're listening on Spotify, it literally takes one second to do. Share them in your local WhatsApp or kite surfing groups or just simply tell your friends. If you want to support the podcast more financially or you want to support it more regularly, head over to portraitkite.com and check out all the madness there. Portrait is an independent media company trying to tell the stories of kiteboarding the way we believe they should. The projects that we do are funded by people just like you. And if you believe in what we do and you want to support us more, head over to portraitkite.com if you want to find more episodes just like this one, use the search button@kitesurf365.com to search your favorite writer or topic. And we'll see you this Thursday for the first megapod of 2026.