B (2:24)

I always struggle to keep my normal routine. You know, you're. You're a young guy, Jet. You know, we saw your Mykonos. You want to go out and have fun with the guys. How do you balance the training versus the, the. The lifestyle? Let's put it that way.

A (2:37)

It is difficult, you know, because it's. I find it really difficult. You know, some people are good at keeping their routine throughout. I find it really, really difficult. So it's kind of a battle that I have, and it's something that I'm working on is to try and keep some sort of routine, you know, when you go to these different places, because, you know, each place you go to, it's different foods, different scenery, different. And, you know, I always find when you go to these places, everyone's always so excited, you know, and then I get excited. So it's quite difficult to keep in lane. But as I'm getting older, I'm learning slowly.

B (3:11)

Well, hopefully, I mean, you've definitely made big strides in your fitness, right? You're really into your running now. I know that before.

A (3:17)

Got a marathon on the weekend. Marathon race.

B (3:19)

Really?

A (3:19)

I'm chuffed about that. Yeah. First one. But no.

B (3:24)

How's the training going?

A (3:25)

It's going good. I haven't done. I've been training quite a lot, but I haven't ran anything near a marathon, so. No, no, it's been good. I'm excited.

B (3:34)

Good luck with that, bro.

A (3:36)

Thanks, mate. Thank you so much.

B (3:38)

Let me ask you about that guy that went missing on Mauritius, Whatever happened about that guy? Because we were actually in Greece and we saw the. The news articles going around and the sort of gofundme to. To find the kite surfer who went missing. Did they end up finding this guy or did they fight? I think they found his kite, I believe. What actually happened about that in the end.

A (3:56)

Yeah. So he went out on for a sunset kite to one of the. In Mauritius. The waves are quite far out. Like probably, yeah, 500 meters out. And I don't think people realize the extent of the currents there. Like, they're mega. If you get caught in one of those currents, it's. It's devastating. So what actually happened is, is he dropped his kite and one of his struts popped, but he didn't clip off the struts. So Everything deflated. And then he released his cards because they found the cart in the bar released. Like the bar obviously been released. And then, yeah, his cart obviously drifted one way with the wind and the. And the tides. I mean, the. The currents and. Yeah, they never. They never, never found him. Which is. Yeah, it was quite a big rock for the community there because everyone's so, you know, it's such a tight community. And, yeah, it was a. Yeah, a massive, you know, wake up for. For everyone, you know, because everyone looks at Mauritius as this beautiful island and, you know, things can go wrong, especially in the waves and. And that. Yeah, it was. It was quite devastating. And I think for the family, you know, to not have found the guy was, you know, they found his gear, but to not have found the guys a bit. But, yeah, you could still feel that atmosphere on the beach when you were there. You know, normally we would. Yeah, normally we would. We would session until, like, nearly dark, and people would always, you know, the spot was empty before the sun hit the. You know, the sun at the horizon. So, yeah, you could definitely still feel that atmosphere in there.

B (5:32)

Do you clip off your struts yet?

A (5:33)

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Honestly, to be honest with you, since then, I mean, for a big air session and that, I won't. But when I was going out on One Hour, I think it's the first time I've ever clipped off my struts, clip them off, you know, because it just takes one thing like that, you know, strut to pop and especially on that reef, right?

B (5:51)

I mean, there's a lot of shallow water can happen, right?

A (5:53)

Becomes like a duvet in the water, you know, it just pulls you down, you know. So, yeah, I think it's good to clip off those struts.

B (6:01)

I saw your tethered decals video, bro. I think it's the best representation of you that I've ever seen. And it's the best representation of some writers because, dude, we all know, dude, half the shit I see online, I'm like, these guys aren't like that. That's bullshit.

A (6:15)

Yeah, and that was the whole, you know, that was the whole purpose of the video, you know, is I never really done a, you know, a video like that before. It's always been product shoots, and you're a small vlog here and there. But I said to Mystic, I say to. Because it was a Mystic video, I said to them, I said, guys, we're gonna do this video, but we're gonna. We're gonna do it this way, you know, and they Kind of. Which was really cool. They let. They gave us free reign, you know, me and the videographer and the photographer and they said, you guys go out and you guys capture, you know, the true side. Obviously, we can't put in everything, but you capture the true side of Jet Bradshaw, you know, And I really think the karting world needs to see that because, like you say on Instagram and that you see a lot of the stuff you're like, mate. But I know you personally, and that's not you. You know what I mean? That's not you. I know. Different side to you.

B (7:06)

I get the game. I get it, right? You know, you're role models. You've got to be someone that you, you know, you got to be someone for the brand. But I kind of think that the rock stars of our sport should be showing for who they are, and I like that, you know, look, dude, look at nervous sports. There's bad boys in sport, mate. We're too clean cutting, kite boarding. We're all like, oh, we're good guys. I want to see some bad boy action.

A (7:29)

Yeah. Yeah. And I think. I think every sport needs that, you know, you obviously do have the elite competitors and. And that, but there is always the bad boys, you know, and you need to see. And I think the bad boys is what, like, fills, you know, the sport that you're in.

B (7:47)

Who wrote it? Did you have an idea of what you're gonna do?

A (7:50)

We kind of had an idea, but not really, which was quite cool. Each day was each day of film. Yeah, we kind of had this brief idea on what we wanted the video to look like, but it was all kind of on the fly, which was quite cool. You know, we didn't have a script, we didn't have a, you know, a checklist on what we wanted to do. It was all kind of, you know, as we went, as each day ended, we would look at the foot and then be like, okay, we want that, we want that. Which was quite cool, you know, because it was just free reign on. On what we wanted to do. You know, there was no. No restrictions and there was no. Which was quite cool because Nick Walters from. From mystic was like, I'm going to be on the WhatsApp group, but I'm not going to respond. You know, you guys just send over some. Some select and just get on with it, which was cool, you know, so there wasn't much involvement from. From the guys, you know, and I think they. They appreciated it a lot, you know, with what we came out with, how.

B (8:46)

Do you keep it not looking contrived, like, oh, these guys are just setting this up. How do you. How do you get it to come across so naturally?

A (8:54)

A lot of. To be honest with you, a lot of the footage was. I mean, the partying and that was a lot. They. I didn't. Most of the time in the video, I didn't know they were filming, you know, which was quite cool. And that's what I said to them from the beginning is as I said, guys, I don't want this to. Because you can clearly see when someone says, okay, do this, do that. You know, I said to them, I said, most of the time, I want you guys to just film me. And I don't want to know that you guys are filming because that's when you get the authentic, original, like, you know, uncut, true, you know, feeling. Because when you say, okay and say this or do this, it comes. You can clearly see in a video that. That it's been staged, you know, so this whole video was trying to be as unstaged as possible.

B (9:42)

How long did you shoot for? How many days? It's crazy. You feel you. You film so much and then it comes out. It's like three minutes, right?

A (9:50)

Yeah, yeah, we shot. No, we shot for three days, not three full days. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

B (9:56)

By the way, dude, I actually thought it was really awesome. It's super cool and it's very mystic, right, To. To get that feel, just be a bit more raw. And I think that sort of comes across. And, yeah, I thought it was. I thought it was really cool, but I thought it was really well done in it and it showed the jet that I know, you know, rather than the other riders that, like, they're like, oh, this guy's like that. I'm like, yeah, he's not.

A (10:17)

No, exactly. And that's what. That's what we wanted. That's what we wanted, you know, is to show the. You know, the true. Because every rider has a different side, you know, And I think a lot of them just kind of only show the gyming and the training and the. But there's a whole different side to. To the ride. And I don't think it's bad to show that. You know, I think a lot of people are quite scared to show that different side, you know, for sponsors or for social media or maybe I just think it. Think of a difference and have this, like, it attitude where I don't really give a. What people think. But, yeah, I don't know. I think that was. That was quite cool.

B (10:56)

It's kind of refreshing to hear writers speak like this because normally they're like, you know, it's a tough market at the moment, right? The industry is not doing super well. It's, you know, there's not a lot of money. And I always find writers are very much like, you know, on the side of the sponsor and doing that. But it's. It's refreshing to hear someone say, well, fuck sponsors, man. I'm just. This is who I am, you know. That's also why the spot, by the way. That's also why the sponsors like you, because you are different and you are prepared to put yourself out there.

A (11:23)

Yeah. And that's what I've, you know, I've always had this open relationship with north and mystic, and I've always said to them that you're gonna. This is what you're gonna get. You know, this, this. I'm not gonna change who I am. And I think, like you said, they really, really appreciate that, you know, because I'm. I am who I am and I'm not gonna change it for a sponsor or for an industry, you know, And I think, yeah, like you said, they appreciate that. Where a lot of riders, you know, maybe aren't fortunate enough to be in my situation, where they can express themselves, but where they're in this competition mindset, where they, you know, if they seem to have a beer in their hand, they, you know, everyone's gonna think, oh, he's not a champion, you know, So I think I'm quite fortunate to be in this, you know, it's quite a weird position to be in the. In the industry, but I think the industry kind of accommodates it, you know.

B (12:12)

Look, Jed, I've. I've known you for some time, mate, and you are one of these people that has a lot of influence on the water, but I think you're off the water stuff and who you are and how you represent the brand off the water. By the way, I know the brands love you. They send you to every event because that's the bubbly personality you are. But that's like. That's part of the hook, right? It's like you are in a unique position where the top guys who are desperate for competition, always looking to push forward. They. They have to be careful where you. You're in a position where, like, you know, where you are. Yeah, you're just having fun, by the way, that is the core of a surf lifestyle, right, to have fun.

A (12:47)

No, exactly, exactly. And I find sometimes it's Too. I tried to go down the competition. That's why you asked if I was in cold Hawaii. I tried to force myself into that, that bubble of competitors and I just found that I was just trying to break out of it, you know, every time I went to a competition, you know, it didn't suit me. The clean, you know, like focus, you know, I'm very focused at what I do and that. But more photo shoots and, and stuff like that, that's when I feel like I'm competing, you know. So I found the competitions didn't suit me at all. You know, I try to force myself into that competition zone, switch off, get into competition. And I would be on the water and I would see my mate on the beach and I was like, hey, hey, what's up brother? And I meant to be trying to win this thing, you know, and I'm like, hey, what's up? That trick was sick, you know, but I mean, that's who I am. And you know, I'll do mega loop because I think that's. That competition suits me really well. But for, for the other competitions, I think I'm going to start, yeah, I don't know, just selecting, you know, not going there to win, which I never have gone to win, but just selecting comps that I think, you know, stand out competitions and because it's. I think it's really good to still be in the competition scene and not be totally out of it, you know, to have like kind of one foot in there to just keep relevant in the industry because competitions are still big, but not to be fully invested.

B (14:14)

I want to say publicly something you said to me, J and I appreciate your honesty. You know, we were talking about new kites and talking about different kites and you know, you know, riding, being able to ride well, testing different brands. And I like the fact that you said to me one time, I said, bro, I just ride my gear. I'm not good enough to know the difference. You know, I just do what I do on my gear. And I really appreciated that because a lot of people I talk to, they always try and tell. Drown you in all these tiny little idiosyncrasies that.

A (14:40)

Yeah.

B (14:40)

And you were like, bro, I just, I just, I know the gear I like, I ride it. I'm not good enough to feel the difference between all these tiny things. I just do what I do. And I walked around. So that's why we like you. That's why we like Jet, you know, because he is just a straight shooter. And I thought that Was really, really cool to hear, you know.

A (14:56)

Yeah, yeah, I think, you know, I've never, I haven't been in this industry for. I've been in it for long but not that long as the other guys, you know, the Cohen and the stings and the heels that will not necessarily heal. But Jeremy and that, I mean mate, they've been doing it since they were like 10, 11 years old, you know, even younger. I haven't been in the industry long enough to know all those little, I mean, you know, sometimes speak to colon and I'm like, man, this is like Chinese to me. Bridal setting and fixed bridal pulley bridle. And then I'm like holy, mate, I don't know what the you talking about. I kind of just get the cards, I didn't even change knots or anything. Get the card from north, set it up, take 10 meter, 10 meter lines.

B (15:42)

And do you change the settings on the kite?

A (15:43)

No, not at all. No, no, no. It comes straight out of the standard, mate. That's that, that. Yeah, the settings don't get changed at all. But it works for me, you know and it doesn't, you know, we often get from, from north, like can you give us feedback? And I never really reply to the emails because I don't have feedback. What I've got is perfect and you know, and I like it and it suits me. So. And I think that also takes a lot of the pressure off, you know, is that you're not going out permanently thinking, shit, okay, this needs to be changed, that needs to be changed. You know, like I see guys testing for hours and hours and hours and it's. Yeah, but I think, I think you have to be the certain type of person that are really into that side of it. Like Marc Jacobs could sit on a beach and test for hours where I'm not that into that side of things.

B (16:33)

We've got the mega loop, you're in the fleet. You're actually one of the pre selected riders. I mean this is an event, you know, if I think about all the events, this is the event that really suits you. They've dropped it to 18 meter lines this year, which is going to suit you. Colin stated, he said you've done more short line laid backs than any other person on earth.

A (16:49)

Yeah.

B (16:50)

What are you going to write at this competition? I mean, I guess most of the main guys will be on 18 for sure. You're going to drop down and go shorter, right?

A (16:57)

Yeah, so I was, I mean actually when I was in Europe testing different line Lengths, I think. I mean, ultimately I would like to go 10 meter lines just because the feeling on that is good. But I kind of want to go into this event and try and do as best as I can. Where before I was just going in to put the cart low and do a show. So I think now I've gotten to the point where like 14s or 16s is that, you know, you can go super high and still get the kite really low. But yeah, the 10s and 12s is just too short. I mean, unless it's blowing a gale like that. Macassadaya. Which hopefully we get. Because I think if, you know, if. If it, you know, does reach those wins, I think it's going to be interesting, you know, to. For the guys, because I don't think a lot of them train on 18s. You know, if they're all going for 18s, 18s is a huge difference compared to 22s.

B (17:52)

Do you set some goals for this? Because I know when I. When I was with you in Greece, I said, are you going to train? You said, no, there's no point. I'm just gonna go and ride. Do you set some goals for yourself in this event? I mean, obviously you want to do as well as you can, but I mean, are you setting a goal to go win it or what sort of goal do you set going into this event?

A (18:10)

For me, it's. I don't. I used to be super competitive when I was young, and now it just. Now I just go in and I'm like, I just want to put on a show. That's the main thing. And then obviously I want to do as best as possible. But I never go into these events saying I want a podium. I want to, you know, because I always, you know, if. Then if it doesn't happen, you get super bleak, you know, So I just go in there and try and do as best as possible and then obviously put on. Put on a show, you know, and I'm. Yeah, I don't think I have that competition mindset going into these events that a lot of the other riders do. You know, they've got. Yeah. I don't know, plans and strategies and I kind of just go off the way I feel on the day.

B (18:51)

One kite, one bar.

A (18:52)

Yeah, one cut, one bar, mate. You know, people from. From. From north and mystic was. Because he helps out at all of these events. Send me a voice note the other day. Hey, mate, we just getting your bars ready. And then I was like, bars, mate, I only got one bar. One Bar one car, you know, one ball, one card. You know what I mean? And it works. It works.

B (19:11)

I want to go back to 23. When you competed. When we saw you, when you come off the water, you were pissed. You were annoyed with yourself that it didn't go as well as you'd hoped. So you say you're not competitive, but I saw you pissed off.

A (19:22)

No, I definitely was pissed off. Mainly because of the fact that I couldn't show what I was capable of and also because of the fact that, I mean, I remember speaking to and I never forget this conversation, like five years ago, four or five years ago, speaking to Jannik and him saying, oh, when I was at Megaloop Challenge, I was holding down a six meter. I had three people on the beach holding me down, you know, so I was expecting that, mate. I was on a 9 meter for my heat, you know, so I came off the water. I was more. Wasn't pissed off with the results, but I was pissed off at the fact that I wasn't getting the win that I wanted. And I think that have changed the result. You know, let's be. Let's be honest. That 20, 23 mega loop wasn't like, wow, maybe in the final it picked up, but going up to the final, it wasn't. You know, it wasn't. I want to stand on that beach and it be unpleasant on the beach. It was cold, but it wasn't. I mean, that Masa day that we had was way stronger. Way stronger.

B (20:22)

I think the Red Bull team in. In Holland were under some pressure, right? It being four years since the event, you know, if it gone one more year, that might have been the end of it. So we're happy to get. I mean, I was happy it happened, but, you know, it felt like a very dated approach. Now with this new approach, two years on with the 18 meter lines, it feels like they're freshening it up, right? So, yeah, hopefully that's the right direction. Did you see Road to Pro Jetto Shortline loop, mate?

A (20:48)

He got absolutely yanked. Yanked. But I love that as soon as he hit the water. I've never seen someone release a card that quick in my life.

B (20:58)

He was like. He was literally like, should I do it again, bro? We were saying. I was just talking to Jason about it. It's almost like he doesn't have any adrenaline because normally you come out of.

A (21:07)

That, you'll be like, but that's the. But that's the exact thing that I was thinking is, is, I mean, after I get huge Adrenaline come downs. Like mega adrenaline come downs. And afterwards he's just kind of. Yeah. I don't know, the same as before. He did it like he didn't come off the water. Like, you know, it's like. It's a weird mindset to have but maybe like, was that okay?

B (21:33)

Is that okay? You almost died.

A (21:35)

Yeah, but maybe that's a good mindset to have. I don't know because I was like. Yeah, yeah. It's almost like he doesn't feel adrenaline or just doesn't realize what he's like the extent of what he's doing and how dangerous it could be.

B (21:50)

I mean it was windy. Six meter kite, 12 meter lines, never done a short look. I mean I don't think the kite went below him. I just think he looked at so early, it was just like a. He must have gone 20 meters is horizontal.

A (22:01)

Yeah, but that's the thing with the short lines is even if it doesn't go below you, mate, the Yank is ridiculous. Ridiculous. And normally people start off in like 25 knots. 8 meter, 9 meter car, 12 meter lines. Not our boy Jetto there. Ghetto. Went out at 35, 40 knots.

B (22:19)

Well, if you haven't seen that on portrait, go across and. Well, if you haven't signed up, sign up definitely. But if you haven't seen that, definitely go and watch it because it's. It's probably one of the craziest things I think we've done. And it's not even deep there, right? It's like knee deep water.

A (22:34)

No, that's the thing. And it's straight onshore.

B (22:36)

Do you ever ride at that bay?

A (22:38)

No, I've ridden there once, but yeah, I've never really. I found when I'm in Cape Town I just kind of settle into the mystic house there, chill out with all the boys. I don't really mission, you know, see a lot of the boys missioning around. I kind of just settle in with the crew and yeah, hang out. And Mr. Gar's cart there have carted that bit.

B (22:57)

Great place to watch the. Watch the action at the end of the day, that's for sure. Hey, let's talk about wings and waves. What was your feeling once you saw it online and the way it turned out? Because when I'd spoken to you, you hadn't seen anything yet.

A (23:09)

It was, don't get me wrong, was a super cool experience, but like really cool experience to, you know, to teach total beginners how to kite and be around influences. I'd never been around influences. And that's a whole. Like I thought in kite surfing we had influences. That's a whole nother realm of world and people and influences and we. Not influences. Those are influences. And when it came out, I was a bit hesitant, you know, with the. With the videos, because it kind of goes against everything.

B (23:47)

Put it this way, it's complete opposite to the video. You just put it on mistake.

A (23:51)

Yeah, exactly, exactly. You know, and that was the. That was the thing as well, you know, it's complete opposite to the. To the video that I've just put out, you know, so it was. I think there's been a bit of. From everyone, a bit of, you know, mixed feelings towards it. But I think it's quite cool, you know, from a brand perspective, to give exposure to a different audience for kiting and. And that. But I'll definitely do it again. I was just a bit. Yeah, I don't know. It didn't really suit my. Well, especially you got Ozzy and I, the most unhinged card surfers now on a reality show. To be honest, bro, I actually thought.

B (24:29)

You were a great host.

A (24:30)

I thought.

B (24:30)

I mean, you did most of the talking. Yeah, it seemed like Fabi. Fabi almost did nothing. I mean, you did most of the talking.

A (24:36)

Yeah, no, it's cool. I kind of get into those type of things, you know, I'm quite good at speaking to the camera and I love being in front of the camera. Yeah, it's something I would do again. But, yeah, it was interesting. Interesting. Long, though. Super long days.

B (24:53)

Oh, really? I mean, what was the sort of. What was the sort of time frame? I mean, didn't look like they had a lot of wind ever. Right. It was pretty.

A (24:58)

No, no, no. And that was the thing where we weren't in Italy. There was not much wind, so we kind of had to. Yeah. Improvise a lot. But I'm stoked the way it actually came out in Sardinia. And what's it? Caglari or cagular?

B (25:14)

Yeah, I've been there. Yeah, I've kited there.

A (25:16)

I think they had an event there many, many years back or speaking.

B (25:22)

I've kited there. An offshore wind. I've kind of. There an onshore wind. It sort of goes all over the place.

A (25:26)

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And it's. I mean, it's not the greatest place to learn as well, but. So that was kind. Kind of a challenge. But, I mean, we made it work, which was cool. Just a lot of stopping and starting, which I wasn't used to, you know, and obviously in like a Reality show, it's okay, Stop, stop. And I'm like, well, I can't really do that again, the kite in the air. But yeah, let's try.

B (25:45)

Yeah. Kiting and reality TV shows, it's difficult.

A (25:50)

Quite difficult to stop and then start again, you know, because once you're in the flow of teaching someone to kite, it's.

B (25:55)

Did you guys get to hang around with. With the sort of contestants. I guess it is. Did you get to hang around with the contestants much?

A (26:03)

No. So it was quite strict. So during the two weeks of filming, we weren't allowed to see them outside of the filming because of influence on maybe someone, you know, we could give someone more points because we like their. Their attitude or, you know, like them as a person. But yeah, at the end of it we had like a rap, a rap party and then we could probably hang out with them. But yeah, leading up to that, we didn't really. We only see them on the beach. And then afterwards, after filming, we would all split up.

B (26:32)

How was that rap party?

A (26:33)

Yeah, it was fun.

B (26:34)

Was it better than the parties of Mykonos?

A (26:37)

No, no, definitely, Definitely not.

B (26:40)

What did you say? Mykonos. Mykonos on a worst day is better than Tarifa on a good day.

A (26:44)

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've never. My love Mykonos. She walked out, walk down. There's just 10 out of 10 everywhere, you know, it's like, whoa, what's going on?

B (26:51)

That was pretty cool, right? I mean, just to give some reference, we were obviously in Mykonos shooting and we got this text from Jet, hey, can I come stay the night, bro? I said, absolutely. And then, yeah, it was cool to see you. I think we saw you at the start of the trip and at the end of the trip, so that was a lot of fun.

A (27:06)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, that works out perfectly. The ferries got cancelled too. Windy pulled in there.

B (27:10)

That's the reason why you stayed? Because it was so windy, the fairies were actually killed.

A (27:14)

We were gonna go and shoot, shoot on another island and then the ferries got canceled. Then that's when the 7 meter fuel came out, which I'm sure will happen on the podcast coming up to make a lift challenge.

B (27:25)

Well, look, Jit, thanks for coming on the. On the podcast, brother. It's always great to catch up with you, dude. I love Tether to Chaos. I thought it was, as I said, I think it was one of the. The best, more accurate and more honest things that I've seen produced for some time because we do get a little bit showy, a little bit flashy and a little bit all over the place. So that was super cool, mate. Good luck for the Megaloop. I'll be there, bro, cheering you on and I'm going to see you very soon, I'm sure.

A (27:45)

Yeah, definitely. I'll see you in Megaloop. But thanks so much. Yeah, always sick to be on the podcast and yeah, it's been a good one.

B (27:51)

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. Share the episodes in local WhatsApp or kite surfing groups or generally just just tell your friends on the beach. That helps keep the momentum of the podcast going. If you want to support us more regularly, head over to portraitkite.com Our dream is to operate away from the financial support of the brands and we do that with support from people just like you that allows us to tell and share this amazing stories of kiteboarding the way we believe it should. Remember, the podcast is always going to be free, so head over to portraitkite.com and check out all the madness there. If you want to find more episodes just like this one, use the search button at kitetsurf365.com to search your favorite rider or topic and we'll see you this Thursday for the Megapod.