KOTA Preview Show feat. Giel Vlugt | The Megapod

Summary

Kitesurf365 – KOTA Preview Show feat. Giel Vlugt | The Megapod

Date: November 20, 2025
Host: Adrian Kerr (with Colin Colin Carroll, “Ben,” plus guest Giel Vlugt and meteorologist Thomas Salzberg)

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Episode Overview

This Megapod episode dives deep into the upcoming Red Bull King of the Air (KOTA), considered kiteboarding’s most prestigious event. Hosts Adrian, Colin (Ben), and guest co-host Giel Vlugt discuss the rider mindset going into the competition, the unique challenges of Cape Town conditions, selection controversies, favorites for the men’s and women’s titles, gear choices, judging changes, and the evolving landscape of Big Air kiteboarding. Meteorologist Thomas Salzberg also provides a detailed weather forecast for the event. The conversation features candid, insider insights, playful banter, and unfiltered opinions on what to expect at KOTA.

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Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. Giel Vlugt's Mindset and Readiness for KOTA

• Giel ("Heel") on his form:
  • Feels in the best shape of his career, strong, confident, and in touch with his gear.
  • Adaptable to wind conditions; prefers strong wind but doesn’t need it to deliver (03:11).

“I feel good. I feel strong. I feel very in tune with the gear. I feel good riding in Cape Town. I love the kickers here. I feel like I’ve got it figured out a lot more than I did the previous years. So, yeah, I feel really good. I feel comfortable, I feel confident and I’m excited.” — Heel, 02:48

2. Experience, Competition Nerves, and Maturity

• Giel is now among the most experienced riders at KOTA, a shift he finds advantageous (04:01).
• Candid about pre-competition nerves but sees healthy stress as a motivator, not a hurdle.

“I don’t feel old, by the way, but it feels kind of nice... it’s an advantage to have the experience and to have the previous King of the Airs under your belt. ...Every time before I compete, I’m like, why am I competing? And then the moment the buzzer goes off, I’m so excited and I love it.”
— Heel, 04:35

3. Weather Forecast and Wind Conditions

• Meteorologist Thomas Salzberg provides technical insight:
  • Saturday forecast: 30–35 knots, gusts up to 40 knots, 1.5–2m kickers.
  • Explains Cape Town’s “coastal jet” phenomenon driving the wind (06:04–08:40).

“It’s a narrow, fast moving band of wind that is running up along the coast in parallel with the topography... That means the wind increasing much more with height than you usually would see in other places.” — Thomas Salzberg, 07:05

4. Scoring, Judging & the Double Loop Debate

• Giel unlikely to push the double loop, stating it’s not scoring well currently.
• Judges and event favor moves that are both high and easy for the crowd to understand (08:40–09:42).

“When they’re not scoring, it doesn’t make sense to keep doing them. ...Everybody would love to see that. I think it’s easier to understand from the perspective of the crowd.”
— Heel, 08:48

5. Jamie Overbeeke KOTA Non-Selection Controversy

• Panel voices shock and criticism at Jamie’s exclusion from the KOTA roster, given his abilities.
• Giel: Ridership for KOTA should consider competition performance and the ability to thrive under pressure—not just video entries (10:48–13:16).

“Honestly, it’s a great idea, but ...some riders get better when they compete. ...If [Jamie] has a really good day, he can still end up on the podium and amaze everyone, you know, so it's really tough for him that he's not in.”
— Heel, 11:01

6. Newcomers and “Rookies”—Are They Ready?

• Debate about whether Baptiste and Elliot (new additions) can handle the unique KOTA challenge.
• Giel insists everyone deserves their shot and that tough early experiences can lead to stronger competitors in future years (13:35–16:59).

“A lot of people become a competition rider. So you need to start at some point and everyone deserves a chance.” — Heel, 13:35

7. Judging Changes: The “Overall Impression”

• The 2025 KOTA will introduce a more mathematical, less subjective form of “overall impression” scoring, with live updates visible to competitors during heats.
• Giel is cautiously optimistic, sees potential but wants to ride for show, not just tick-box criteria (16:59–21:12).

“Every time I’ve tried to ride according to the criteria, it’s gone 180 degrees the other way. So I’m just going to ride and do what I like to do... putting on a show is the most important thing.” — Heel, 19:58

8. What Will Win KOTA 2025? Key Moves, Trends, and Riders to Watch

- Moves

• Not about most difficult, but what is “highest and furthest.”
• Stino consistently scores by going high, with great execution and kite positioning (21:48–22:44).

- Key Contenders and Sleepers

• “Core Four”: Andrea, Lorenzo, Jeremy, and “Stino” singled out as favorites.
• Jeremy’s blend of technicality and extremity makes him the “least desirable” opponent in a semi for Giel (24:24–26:36).
• Others mentioned who could make semifinals/finals: Cohen, Shahar, Charles Brodel (“don’t count him out”), implying up to 8 riders could win (27:10–29:54).

“If I have to write a semifinal against any of the three, I honestly least want to ride it against Jeremy, which, because I think he combines what they do.” — Heel, 25:11

9. Young Blood: Leonardo (Lorenzo’s Brother)

• Leonardo can potentially beat anyone “on his day,” but pressure might restrict his performance. Advice: have fun, enjoy the experience, don’t let expectations crush the vibe (30:59–32:19).

10. The “Show” Factor – Crowd, Pressure, and Momentum

• KOTA is about showmanship and feeling the audience. Giel says Andrea possesses an uncanny sense for the right trick at the right moment.
• Momentum, not a set trick list, often decides winners—like live performance art more than a clinical contest (34:06–37:19).

“If you bust out a big trick at the buzzer, it will score higher here than anywhere else... That’s just the show part.”
— Heel, 19:58

11. Women's KOTA Race and Key Names

• Zara (Giel’s partner) is viewed as a favorite, with the best height and kicker reading skills, but Francesca Manny and others—Natalie, Pippa, maybe Mika—are all fierce competition (39:32–45:49).
• Unsure if Mikaili Sol will compete due to injury. If she does, she’s a game-changer.

“She [Zara] goes as high as we go. And I think that’s pretty crazy. She’s getting the height super dialed now. It’s just putting everything together and making sure she can do all of her moves at that height.” — Heel, 42:29

12. Gear Talk: Boards, Kites, and Strategy

• Giel details potential last-minute board swaps for optimal speed and comfort (49:14–50:24).
• Comfort with both 9m and 10m kites, depending on conditions. Commentators highlight how extreme it is for Giel to consider a 10m in 35 knots—“Weekend warriors, don’t try this at home!” (50:24–51:18).

13. Cape Town Vibes, Crowds, and Conditions

• Fewer people in the water this year; high season and wind/wave variables discussed.
• The unique sensory experience of performing at KOTA: being “alone” in the wind, hearing the crowd, feeling adrenaline (54:25–57:17).

“When you go up in the air to do a trick, like, you hear wind in your ears all the time... and then you just hear people shouting at the beach. ...That’s such an unreal feeling.”
— Heel, 56:24

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• (03:11) Giel: “I feel comfortable, I feel confident and I’m excited.”
• (11:01) Giel on Jamie: “But come on, you know who he is, you know what he can do. If he has a really good day, he can still end up on the podium and amaze everyone, you know.”
• (19:58) Giel: “For this event, I’m not going to ride to any criteria… I’m just going to ride and do what I like to do… putting on a show is the most important thing.”
• (25:11) Giel about Jeremy: “If I have to write a semifinal against any of the three, I honestly least want to ride it against Jeremy…”
• (42:29) Giel (on Zara’s chances): “She’ll go as high as we go. And I think that’s pretty crazy. So she’s getting the height super dialed now.”
• (56:24) Giel on riding KOTA: “When you go up in the air to do a trick... you just hear people shouting at the beach. ...That’s such an unreal feeling.”
• (58:08) Kevin Langeree (clip):
  “You hear the whole crowd just go… and that feeling is something I’ve never experienced in anything else in my life. …It’s hard. I haven’t found anything else where I can get that similar kind of feeling. It’s like a hard drug. Yeah, it’s crazy.”

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Key Timestamps

• 03:11 – Giel on current form and confidence
• 06:04–08:40 – Meteorologist Thomas Salzberg explains Cape Town wind
• 10:48–13:16 – Jamie Overbeeke KOTA selection controversy
• 16:59–21:12 – Judging innovations and the “show” factor
• 21:48–24:08 – What moves and traits win KOTA?
• 24:50–26:36 – Who are the real podium threats?
• 29:54–32:19 – Leonardo’s big debut and pressure of expectations
• 39:32–45:49 – Women’s competition favorites, game-changers, and Zara’s mindset
• 50:24–51:18 – Equipment geek-out: kites and boards in powerful Cape Town wind
• 56:24–57:17 – The visceral experience of competing in KOTA
• 58:08–58:53 – Kevin Langeree on adrenaline and KOTA crowd (clip)

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Conclusion

This lively, in-depth Megapod episode primes listeners for the 2025 King of the Air, balancing technical analysis, honest opinion, and rider perspective. Giel Vlugt shares rare insight into the psyche and preparation of an elite kiter. The show surfaces critical debates—from judging changes, selection drama, and dark horse picks, to the evolving style and psychology of Big Air competition. Whether a seasoned fan or new to Big Air, this episode delivers a compelling inside look at the sport’s crown jewel event.

Transcript

[Ben]

The biggest chance you've had to take it.

[Heel]

I feel good. I feel strong. I feel very in tune with the gear.

[Adrian Kerr]

It's honking out there for us.

[Ben]

Yeah, you just need it to crank.

[Heel]

Even if it's not cranking a doubles did.

[Adrian Kerr]

It's the most professional answer I've ever heard.

[Ben]

Picking up now and I'm pretty ready, man.

[Heel]

This one is probably a bit more nerve wracking.

[Ben]

Kevin Langry, three time winner.

[Adrian Kerr]

This is like a heavyweight boxing match. The featherweight. There's no dancing around. Sponsor kicker first move. The rebel P for a woman is.

[Ben]

Super clean Trey Hughes contra to the end of the Whoa. That is yet another innovation move. Marc Jacobs heading out towards the iconic Robin Island. Highest trick scorer in all Red Bull.

[Adrian Kerr]

King of the airs Janic Chici.

[Ben]

Kevin Langley has taken it for the.

[Heel]

Third way more than a dream come true.

[Adrian Kerr]

That is massive theme while out the.

[Heel]

Back and that has to be facade.

[Ben]

It's an all out teenager fit. Okay. You join us here in Cape Town where it's turned out nice again. It is honking outside our little apartment. I'm here joined with heel flute or heel flute.

[Heel]

Yeah, yeah. Love it.

[Ben]

I did. I nailed it that time. He's the inventor of the double loop. Of course that changed the sport. And I'm also here with the inventor of Kite Surf365, Adrian Kerr.

[Adrian Kerr]

Which you're making it sound like we're all guests, mate.

[Ben]

Your guest. You are. I'm the host today by the way.

[Adrian Kerr]

I want to go back and start by saying, you know it's honking out there for us. Heels turned up. Said it's not windy enough. I'll come around and do the podcast.

[Heel]

So thank you. It's 1315 knots in the lows so it's not really bumping, is it?

[Adrian Kerr]

Trust me.

[Heel]

Look at you guys. It's absolutely howling. Is not.

[Ben]

Trust me though folks. If you're usually on your 8 meter if it's above 25 knots, you're not comfortable in Cape Town the past few days. Take it from me. Don't believe Hill on this.

[Thomas Salzberg]

He's.

[Ben]

He's not the arbiter of truth Heel. Is it just me? I'm not saying this because you're here sat with us for the. For the pre show podcast. It's not because I find you physically intimidating. I don't. Are you in the best form ever going into King of the Air and therefore is this not the biggest chance you've had to take it?

[Heel]

Yeah. Yes, yes and yes.

[Ben]

Good. I thought. Thought as Much as well.

[Adrian Kerr]

Nothing like a good long, long form, open ended answer.

[Heel]

Yeah, sorry about that. Sorry to just. That's concerned off like that, but it's true. I, I feel good. I feel strong. I feel very in tune with the gear. I feel good riding in Cape Town. I love the kickers here. I feel like I've got it figured out a lot more than I did the previous years. So, yeah, I feel really good. I feel comfortable, I feel confident and I'm excited.

[Ben]

Yeah, you just needed to crank.

[Thomas Salzberg]

Yeah.

[Heel]

And even. But even, even if it's not cranking, like, yeah, I'll. I'll squeeze out the most out of 20, 25 knots as well. Last year I did the same against Andrea. Squeeze it out was a super close heat and I'm heavier and still I was going high and getting the kite angled. So it's always this thing that it's like a heel needs a lot of wind and yeah, I prefer a lot of wind for sure, but I don't need a lot of wind. That's not. I don't feel like I need a lot of wind. I prefer a lot of wind.

[Ben]

Okay.

[Adrian Kerr]

This is your fifth King of the Year.

[Heel]

Could be. Yeah.

[Adrian Kerr]

Mark one on his fifth King of the Year. Know, I mean, one of the more.

[Heel]

Experienced guys at the time, he was 30.

[Adrian Kerr]

You are.

[Heel]

He was 30 when he won it.

[Adrian Kerr]

This is an exact replica.

[Ben]

He also won it on his birthday. Will it also be your birthday? Probably not.

[Heel]

It might just be.

[Adrian Kerr]

But I mean, what, what does it feel like to be the most experienced guy here now? I mean.

[Ben]

Yeah, more King of the Airs than anyone else in the fleet.

[Adrian Kerr]

I mean, it's quite crazy, right?

[Heel]

Is that true?

[Ben]

Yeah, we thought about it for about a minute before you arrived. We think it's true.

[Adrian Kerr]

We know Mark anymore, there's none of those.

[Ben]

Liam.

[Heel]

Yeah.

[Adrian Kerr]

Maybe Andre and Lorenzo, they all turned up in 22.

[Ben]

Yep.

[Heel]

Cohen was the year after. Maybe. Yeah. Could be. Could be. So basically the question was, what does it feel like to be the oldest competitor? Because let me just, you know.

[Adrian Kerr]

Still doing it, bro. Still doing it.

[Heel]

Make it real. I don't feel old, by the way, but it feels, it feels kind of nice because I think it, it's, it's an advantage to, to have the experience and to have the, the, the previous King of the Airs under your belt. So, yeah, like I said before, I feel confident, comfortable. I'm looking forward to it. Normally, if I compete, I'm not looking forward to it. I'm always hoping that it's not Happening because I get nervous.

[Adrian Kerr]

Really?

[Heel]

Yeah, like a little bit. Not, not crazy. But just every time before I compete, I'm like, why am I competing? And then the moment the buzzer goes off, I'm so excited and I love it. So it's, I think that's natural.

[Adrian Kerr]

I think that's natural, man.

[Heel]

It's a healthy, healthy kind of stress level.

[Adrian Kerr]

I think it would be unhealthy if you were like praying for the windows to go by, the wind window to go by and think, oh, wow, there was no, there's no wind. I didn't have to do it.

[Heel]

Yeah, no, I'm, I'm excited to see, to see a lot of wind on the forecast. You know, like when we saw the cold Hawaii forecast, I was stoked, like I was ready to go. I didn't feel, I felt more nervous to see like, what's going to happen, like, how strong is it going to get? Because that spot can get so windy. But it's like good excitement, good nerves.

[Ben]

Speaking of, let's hear from our forecaster now. His name is Thomas, he lives in Denmark and he studied the weather systems around Cape Town as his master's thesis. Here he is.

[Thomas Salzberg]

Good morning, Adrian and Ben. I'm Thomas Salzberg. I'm helping out Sergio a little bit with the weather forecast for the Red Bull King of the Air in Cape Town. I've been studying this wind phenomena in the areas for a long time. I made my master thesis as a meteorologist around this coastal jet there. So I'm trying to support my best and make sure that we always capture the best weather windows possible. So when we're looking at the Saturday forecast, the South Atlantic high pressure is now in the next few days ahead, creating some decent gradients from southeast. And currently with the weather forecast we have right now, the forecast is expected to give up to 30 knots, maybe even 35 on Saturday afternoon with gusts in the late 30s up to 40 knots. And there should be around 1.5 to 2 meter kickers with a period of around 10 seconds. So potentially there's also riding conditions for Sunday, but for now we're trying to give a yellow for Saturday and hoping to get some heat through. So I promised to give just an overview of the wind phenomena around Cape Town, which is a little bit special from a meteorological point of view. It's to be considered as what is called a coastal jet. And a coastal jet is strong. It's driven by the southeasterly high pressure system which is interacting with an inland thermal low. And the Cold current along the coast, which is called the Benguela Current. The wind is accelerating along the coast due to the pressure gradients from the high pressure system and the Coriolis effect, which is turning the wind always to the left on the southern hemisphere and then this huge thermal contrast between the cold ocean and the heated inland. So the coast of the is a narrow, fast moving band of wind that is running up along the coast in parallel with the topography. And it's usually stretching just a few hundred kilometers offshore and it's actually not very deep. So the wind is only, you know, it's quite shallow, it's only 500 meters height up to 1.5, maybe 2 kilometers and that's a huge vertical shear. So that means the wind increasing much more with height than you usually would see in other places.

[Adrian Kerr]

You are the inventor of the double loop. A doubles did. It seems to be that we've gone away from that. I mean, are you going to lead the charge and do doubles here?

[Heel]

I don't think so. It's not scoring. I haven't done a double since I'm here, to be honest. Just because. Yeah, when they're not scoring it doesn't make sense to keep doing them. And at the same time, when you look at the event of cold Hawaii and we can do loops and rotations at 27 meters, like a couple of us jumped 27 meters that day. That's crazy exciting. I think that's. Everybody would love to see that. I think it's easier to understand from a perspective to you as well, from.

[Ben]

The perspective of the crown.

[Heel]

Yeah, for the crowd. Easier to see. So I don't think I'll be doing doubles. I might bump the kite up. But Basically it's XR Pro 2 and that's what I'll be using, which is.

[Ben]

Also first prize for fantasy, by the way. And the window is open now. If you're listening to this, go and finalize your squad because it's looking like, as you heard earlier, it's going to run on Saturday. The choosing window for Fantasy will be open until the buzzer goes for round one, Heat one.

[Heel]

And you want to win that kite because it's really good. It's really good.

[Adrian Kerr]

And we have a board for second prize.

[Ben]

I mean, you've said that in a way that no one's going to believe because you're paid to say that.

[Heel]

Really good. Honestly.

[Ben]

But if you want to cheat and go higher than you actually deserve, it is the kite for that? Let me tell you. Should we just cut to It. And talk about the controversy that's surrounding this king of the nl. It's something that everyone is talk about, talking about. Every beach you go to, every car park you go to, everyone's saying, Jamie Overbeak is fuming. And you can see it in his riding. Apparently he's riding off his tits, looking amazingly technical, amazingly high, determined. And it's left me wondering, is this the biggest up in competitive kiteboarding history, him not being on the list? Adrian, what do you reckon to that?

[Adrian Kerr]

I mean, it was, I mean, I, I, there's very rarely do I look at a fleet. I'm actually shocked. What's going on here? Everyone was just calling each other straight away, saying, what the going on here? What was your initial reaction when you, when you saw that he wasn't in the fleet?

[Heel]

Yeah, I mean, I think these entry videos, honestly, it's a, it's a great idea, but at the same time, you have to keep in mind as well what people can do in competition. You have a couple riders that are really good at putting an entry video in, but crack under pressure of competition. And there are some riders that get better when they compete. And I think that's something. It's difficult, obviously, but it's something you have to keep in mind. And maybe for Jamie's entry, they didn't like the foil kite. Maybe he had, I think, one trick with a foil kite in there, but come on, you know who he is, you know what he can do. If he has a really good day, he can still end up on the podium and amaze everyone, you know, so it's, it's, it's, it's really tough for him that he's not in. I didn't, I did not see that coming, that's for sure. So, yeah, I think there's a, there's a flaw in the system there, I would say. But I don't want to discredit anyone else for coming in and having to deal with all the pressure now of everyone saying, oh, how is this person supposed to, like, how is he in? And what happened? How, how can that happen? It's, it's quite tough, you know, like, going back to my first King of the Air, I had some people look at me like, who's that? And why, why is he in? And why are other writers not in? I remember some of the writers weren't in that actually won a major event or like, did really good before, and it wasn't really nice because it was supposed to be this amazing thing, this biggest competition of My life and instead of trying to enjoy it in the beginning was quite difficult because I felt like I didn't deserve it, that I got lucky or that someone else was better. And that's not very nice. So yes, I think Jamie deserves to be in, but for all the writers that are in now, I really hope that, you know, you can, you get to enjoy it and everyone works hard for this. You know, it's not just Jamie, it's not just me, it's not just Hugo as well. Writing incredible. Everybody's working his ass off for this and I think from maybe 40 entry videos people would have deserved to, to get the spot for the work they've put in.

[Adrian Kerr]

I mean, always a professional, right? It's the most professional answer ever heard. I mean, are these two young rookies coming in? Are they going to be able to handle this? I mean, can they handle this? We've already heard that some of them are struggling with the kickers. First time in Cape Town for I think maybe both of them. Is this too much, too soon?

[Heel]

I mean, for me, honestly, it was a blessing in disguise that the first year I was able to join King of the Air, it didn't happen because of, because of COVID If it would have happened, I would have been a second round exit straight away. Like I got lucky that I got another year of practice and then I could manage my best ever result actually. But at least I had some time in the kickers. So, you know, you don't get off to like, there's not a lot of people that join the competition like scene and then end up on the podium. A lot of people become a competition rider. So you need to start at some point and everyone deserves a chance. Would the result have been different if I had judged the videos or if I had been able to call who went through? Yes, but that doesn't mean that whoever's in now doesn't deserve it because they deserve it. For me, they deserve it. And even if they can't put on a proper performance or a real show, this is going to be an experience they'll never forget and hopefully a massive lesson to boost their, their level, their, you know, professional side of, of, of kiteboarding and, and competing to, to, to the next level in order where next year they'll come back and make a, make a semifinal or a podium or shock the world.

[Ben]

And we wish Baptiste and Elliot the best in this too. And I sort of think it's unfair for the biggest competition in the world to, to throw them in if they're not ready. And I trust that the judges have picked people that are ready and can shine like they've done a lot of times.

[Heel]

We've seen. We've seen Elliott in. In Tarifa in the second division, which had some really good riders in win the event, I believe, and then in Italy get second. So maybe he is. Or third. Yeah, sorry. So maybe he is a competitor at heart and maybe he does know how to write competitions already and maybe he is going to shock. He's consistent or he's riding smart or he has a good game plan. So, I mean, the guy did two competitions and ended up on the podium of the last two competitions, so you can't say he's not good. You know, like, he's good. He was up against the likes of Zach Adams and I believe, Shahar as well, who, in my opinion, are incredible writers and deserve to be in this competition 100%. And he beat them both in a competition. So are we going to say he's not ready to. To compete? And at the same time, Baptiste has an incredible double at his first video. The first video is insane, with a lot of power. The first double. Yeah. And the other tricks are high and super technical. So he's showing that he's got power and he's showing that he's got technicality. Can't say that the video wasn't good, but now we need. We need to see a result out of him. But we're not going to see it if we're all going to tell him that, you know, he shouldn't have been in and Jamie should have been in his spot and stuff like that, and he. We need the guy to enjoy his time and enjoy this opportunity. And it's a shame for Jamie. It really, really, really is. And he really deserved to be in, but now these young kids who are giving absolutely everything to be in these competitions get a chance at. At writing it. So there's a negative, but there is a positive as well.

[Ben]

We'll move on here and talk about the next thing that is hot on everyone's lips and everyone's kind of whispering about it because, well, I don't know the detail. Maybe Hill does. Maybe we can squeeze it out of him. But it sounds to me like the overall impression score is undergoing fundamental change for the first time ever. We don't know the details. All I do know is that it's going to be less subjective, so it's going to be more mathematically calculated, which is going to rely much more heavily on the trick callers. Who are going to be saying the exact move and the exact direction that they're doing that, whether it's left or right. So it should be theoretically a more accurate picture of someone's variety. This good or bad for you?

[Heel]

I have no idea. I saw the message about the overall impression and I was like, it sounds different, but I don't know if it really is. The only. I think the only real big difference is that it was going to be live. Your impression score would be live with your scores. So you could say, all right, right now we have three solid tricks, but my impression is not high enough. So let's do some, you know, let's mix it up a little bit, do some variety, do some tricks coming in, or say, hey, your variety is great, but we need a good third score, so at least the variety won't be coming in like a complete surprise. If you have a caddy and you're trying to win your heat by playing it smart, then I think having the impression score live is a big upgrade. But other than that, it just sounds complicated. I'm not sure if it's too different, but honestly, I. We didn't really get a.

[Ben]

Tomorrow.

[Heel]

Yeah, I think tomorrow they'll explain it at the Skippers.

[Adrian Kerr]

Yeah, I think they've tried to do something or they've extended on last year. Remember, they had that sort of momentum, sort of line ticker that would go up and down depending on how you were going. So maybe that was a trial period for this. If you. On the live stream, there was a.

[Ben]

Like a moment that was a disaster.

[Adrian Kerr]

It was, but maybe that was the first step of where they're heading to with this impression.

[Ben]

It's not the most ambiguous graph I think I've ever seen. And it was like, up for someone. But, Adrian, I've just spoken over you and that's okay.

[Adrian Kerr]

Maybe they were trialing that and maybe that was going to be something that you can. If, you know, like, for example, we. We always question here whether multiple crashes is going to affect your overall impression versus a guy who's landing everything. You know, does that. When I think back, if they think for an impression, I look back and think, okay, heels landed everything. Andreas Cash crashed four tricks with three big scores, therefore should heal. Have the overall impression that he put on the Master show. Therefore your graph is trending up. I think they're going to go that way. I mean, I don't know. Right. But I'm just trying to think about why we got that graphic last year and was it a test to see where we're going. Do you think crashing or versus a landed heat can affect the overall impression?

[Heel]

Honestly, for this event, I'm not going to ride to any criteria because every time I've tried to ride according to the criteria, it's gone 180 degrees the other way. So I'm just going to write and do what I like to do, what I want to show with, of course, a bit of a game plan, but I'm not going to be putting extra focus on certain things that they say in the skippers meeting, because it's just. I think it's difficult for them as well, because it's such a show event as well, that putting on a show is the most important thing, and riding a clinical heat and doing exactly what the criteria asks is not really. It's more of a momentum. A momentum thing, you know, like, if you bust out a big trick at the buzzer, it will score higher here than anywhere else in any competition all throughout the year. Because that's just the show part, you know, and if you do a double flip or something like that, it's going to create a show because people on the beach are going to be like, no way. He doesn't just take the board off, but he throws it away and then catches it again. So it's like a. It's a show and. And people just want to show at this event, and I can do that, so I'm gonna do that.

[Adrian Kerr]

The last person I heard say that to me was Andrea Principe, right? He said, I'm not listening to this.

[Ben]

I'll just go do what I can't today.

[Adrian Kerr]

But that's kind of cool. I like that. You know, I mean, I think that's probably the best way you should approach it, because, you know, every time I've been in those writers meetings and, you know, we've been in many of them, we walk out and everyone's like, what the. It's the same. Nobody actually knows what's going on. It's like just this gray of confusion. So, yeah, I like that. I really like that. You know, just go out and have some fun and if they like you, they're going to score you. If they don't, you're not. You know, I think if you take that approach, I think it's a great way.

[Ben]

Speaking of, what are the moves we're going to be looking out for? What's. What's the winning at the moment here?

[Heel]

I honestly don't think it has to be something super difficult. I don't think it has to be like a tornado contra loop board off with 17. I think it's going to be the thing that goes the highest and the furthest. And I think that's why. I mean, Stino has been almost on every single podium. And he's technical, but he's not crazy technical, but he does always go really high and he does always put the kite low. Like, he extracts more travel out of the. Out of the Harlem kite of anyone I know on that kite. He extracts more power out of that kite than anyone I know on that kite. So that's been putting him into semifinals and finals, every event. So I think that's what's going to do the trick here as well.

[Ben]

Okay.

[Adrian Kerr]

Speaking of Sto, you know, over the years, you know, he's been a big air kite league. He was in Pro2 there. He's worked his way up. He's had this unbelievable sort of slow almost. I don't want to set this to sound bad, but just a. A nice slow rise to where he's got. Where does that come from? I mean, you've known him for some time. I mean, it's kind of incredible that he was a guy that we always knew was good, but now he's a guy who's like, man, he makes finals. He. I mean, especially if you play fantasy, he's one of the biggest point scorers there is in fantasy.

[Heel]

I mean, everyone has said it a couple years back already, like, my God, Stino is so talented. If he would actually commit, he could be one of the best. And I think at some point he heard that for the third or the fourth. Fourth time, and he was like, okay, you know what? I'm gonna. I'm gonna hit the gym. He was working with a personal trainer. He's taking it serious. He's training, he's pushing, he's moving with the times, you know, like, he's. He's. He's fully committed now, and you can see that in the result. You know, he's incredibly talented. He's very good at these board of from the fins, which the judges really love. Sometimes a bit too much, in my opinion, but they really love him. So he's just riding smart, super consistent. Really, really, really consistent. And he goes massive. So that's a. It's a good, good combination if you want to make it far every single competition.

[Ben]

Do you think Stino takes supplements here?

[Heel]

I do think he takes some Viking nutrition.

[Ben]

Oh, there it is. Okay. And. And it will be €400 per mention, per podcast. So thank you, healing.

[Adrian Kerr]

Let's talk about Andrea and Lorenzo. Lorenzo going for his own personal trilogy, like Andre did in 23 to win the Mega Loop, the King of the year and be a world champion in one year. Andrea going for three king of the years in a row, only being done by Kevin Langaray, but never in consecutive years. Where do you see these two guys? Andrea's having a strange, like, because he's not so committed to the competitions these days. He does the big ones, but he doesn't do the other ones. Where do you see those two at the moment? And who do you think is going to win?

[Ben]

Who's better here?

[Heel]

If I've learned anything, it's not to bet against Andrea and competitions.

[Adrian Kerr]

Especially these ones.

[Heel]

Especially these ones. At the same time, Lorenzo is on fire. He's never been at this level. But I like to throw Jeremy in the mix as well.

[Adrian Kerr]

Yeah, yeah.

[Heel]

Because if I have to write a semifinal against any of the three, I honestly least want to ride it against Jeremy, which. Because I think he combines what they do.

[Ben]

Which is.

[Heel]

Which is high technicality, extremity. I think he rides exactly to the cards of what the judges want. And honestly, he's such a pure kiteboarder. I don't know really how to explain it, but the other day I just see him ride up and down. He's just doing some front rolls. He rescues a board, does a front roll with the board from Jacopo from his caddy and does a Tic Tac and lands to blind or something. And I'm like, I don't think I could ever do that. You know, like. And Lorenzo could probably do that as well and Andrea could probably do that as well. But just the way he did it and the way he moves and, you know, like, I feel like he was on such a high before he got injured and if he doesn't get injured, I think he wins last year as well. So I think right now the conversation is Andrea Lorenzo. But I think Jeremy is definitely. Yeah, in my opinion, it's the guy to beat. Like, like I said, if there is a semifinal, I don't want to meet any of them. Let's be very clear. Very, very clear. And like I said, I don't want to bet against Andrea. Lorenzo's riding the best he's ever been. But I would least want to have Jeremy in my semifinal for.

[Thomas Salzberg]

For sure.

[Heel]

Easy.

[Ben]

It's interesting, isn't it? I hope the seeding places them as.

[Heel]

Oh, my God, the seating.

[Ben]

One, two, three. It. It should.

[Heel]

It really Should Cuz in kwai, he was 14th because he was injured. Then I met him in the first heat and then Lorenzo in round three. I'm like, guys, what the. Like, those are the only two guys that I didn't manage to. To beat that day. Like, I felt like I had everyone else from. For sure. And then was Jeremy by 0.2 and Lorenzo by point whatever as well.

[Ben]

So just your luck.

[Thomas Salzberg]

Yeah.

[Adrian Kerr]

You know, you've mentioned the trap and we talk about Stino yourself. Who, who are the other athletes that people maybe are sleeping on that you've seen that are riding super well? You know, they're competition guys. Who do you think they can. Who, who do you think could make a semi final? Maybe not push the final because I think that's a big bass.

[Ben]

But who do you think can, other than Jamie?

[Heel]

I think Cohen could reach the final for sure. He's really good in Cape Town. He's really good in general, but I feel like he really feels at home here. There's so many riders that could reach a semifinal. I think if Shahar has a. Is managing to control his, you know, his competition level, is stress level, his excitement level. If he manages to control it and he enjoys. He's got the tricks to be in the final, honestly, but it's about being able to throw down at the moment. You have to think throw down. Every year it's getting tougher. Every year the. The fleet's getting better, so. And it's. It's almost anyone's game to be in a semi final, honestly. There's like, Charles could be in the final also. Don't cut Char. Like, don't count him out. You see Italy as well. Like, say what you want, but the guy has got some serious level. Like, if he would be doing just the board of Laid Back with one added rotation and he would be going higher than us, then I might be pissed if it scores more because he's on the foil. But he's not just doing that. He's doing that with multiple rotations on the down loop and not just a little higher, but a lot higher. And I've been seeing him ride lately. He's putting the kite low as well. So now what do you want to bitch on Charles for now? Because he's doing everything that anyone asks him at the highest level. So definitely, definitely don't count. Count Charles out. I would be pissed if I'm in a semi final with Charles as well.

[Adrian Kerr]

I think the thing with Charles is that he listened. Last year we saw it cold Hawaii Went out in the small kite, then changed to the bigger kite. And then obviously in. In Port Apollo, he said, look, I've started riding the same size kites as a twin tip. And that's the big difference, right? Riding that big kite. Now he's getting a lot more height. I mean, he's, you know, broke the WOO record there and obviously, yeah, it's going to be interesting to see. He's always struggled, though, with that sort of aerated water around the broken waves and having cavitation issues. So if he can find his flow, I think you're right. I mean, he can be a real problem.

[Heel]

I mean, in cold Hawaii, it was landing stuff and I think cold Hawaii is even worse in terms of, like, whitewash and difficulties landing. Like, it was difficult to land with the twin tip at Coldeway because it was just nuking and when you loop the kite, you got so much forward travel that on the twin tip was difficult and he was landing stuff on the foil that I was like, no way. So I'm not betting against Charles either. That's why I'm saying, like, sure. Understand, there's eight guys that could win this competition.

[Adrian Kerr]

Wow.

[Ben]

So tomorrow we will do the pre show, which is in video form on the site portrait free.com for free. Indeed, Adrian. And it will be live from the writers meeting. We'll just sit outside there and record as you guys come out of the meeting. There's one person that we haven't mentioned yet that I believe could go the distance that everyone is saying looks very much like his brother. You cannot tell the difference between them. And it's his first ever. King of the A's been out on the sidelines watching since his brother debuted in 2022 where he won it on his debut. Lorenzo won it being 17 and one day old. If Leonardo wins this one, he'll be the youngest winner ever. But this is his only window to do that in heel. Do you think it's fair to put Leonardo at the same level as Lorenzo? Is that what you've seen from the training?

[Heel]

I mean, if Leonardo has a good day, he could beat everyone. Like, I see that.

[Thomas Salzberg]

I.

[Heel]

I just. I just hope he has a lot of fun in this competition, honestly, because there's a lot of pressure right from the first one. And I think the first big competition, you're supposed to be able to ride freely and that's what will give you the advantage of just, you know, Lorenzo had no pressure, nothing. He was just going massive. Nobody expected him to win. Everybody just expected him to do quite good. But, you know, write his first King of the Air, take it easy, not knock out the big names. And he was, you know, it's the moment when everybody's putting pressure on you is when it gets difficult. So if I could say anything to Leo, it's just enjoy, just enjoy it. Don't feel, try not to feel any pressure. Just enjoy it and you know, like, have fun because it's the biggest competition of the year. But you're 16, let's all calm down, like enjoy. Have a lot of fun this day. Try to, to have a big smile on your face like 95% of the day. And the 5% that you might not smile is when you're competing and you're trying to, you know, put everything on the line, but even then just enjoy it as much as you can and take everything in.

[Adrian Kerr]

Let's talk a little bit about that pressure. You mentioned Cohen as well. Co in debut, went through the Porsche golden ticket, made to the semi finals. Since then he's pretty much had pretty bad luck here. Right. And gone. I don't want to say gone backwards. That's probably not the fair word to, to use.

[Ben]

Fact.

[Adrian Kerr]

It's a fact though. Yeah. Just tell us about the pressure and why this event has so much pressure on it. Is it just the magnitude, is it the time of the year? Is it just the, you know, the riders see this as the grand finale of the year. I mean, why, why does this event bring so much more pressure than other events?

[Heel]

I mean, first of all, I think Cohen had some really good results. I mean, he was third in Mega Loop and then he was semi final finish.

[Adrian Kerr]

I'm talking about their performances, you know, and the pressure of this event.

[Heel]

I mean, it is, it is the biggest event. So of course you want to do the best at the biggest event. I think for me still it's worth more to win a King of the Air than a world title. I think the King of the Air is just the big Air daddy. I don't know how to say, but just that's, that's the one that decides who's the best at Big Air that year, which you can then enjoy for another month and then that's it, year is over. No, but it's tricky to say. I think it's the most nerve wracking because it's the hardest one to plan what you're going to do because like I said, it comes down to momentum and show and stuff like that. And that's all stuff you can't control. You, you can have like a trick list and okay, I'm gonna do this trick and if I crash, I'll do this trick and if I land that, I'll do this trick. But in the end, if it comes down to momentum and show, then it's like more of a, more of an.

[Ben]

Art than a science.

[Heel]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly that.

[Adrian Kerr]

And do the people like Lorenzo, Andrea, do they just do that best when.

[Heel]

It comes to competition, I think Andrea does. And I think that's why it's a super healthy way for him to say, I'm just going to do my tricks, I'm going to enjoy, I'm going to do what I want to do.

[Ben]

Go and do it. Doing his voice, maybe.

[Heel]

No, I'm not going to do it in his voice.

[Ben]

You know, These two, by the way, are both excellent at the under.

[Adrian Kerr]

Morning.

[Ben]

Yeah, it's very disappointing. Disappointing.

[Heel]

No, no.

[Ben]

This is the only reason we asked you here. This.

[Heel]

No, but what I wanted to say is like the full power Tarifa, it didn't happen this year. So they made like an airstyle battle because they thought like, I also thought it would be 12 meter weather. And then in the end, it was kind of a big air competition and then Andrea was just having fun and it was a one trick competition and Lorenzo wrote the most clinical heat you could ride. Like, if that's the gk, everybody could just pack up and go home because it's done. You know, like this robot right here just did everything at the same height with the same kite angle, with the same amount of rotations, but backwards and forwards and flips and whatever. And Andrea wasn't really riding a good final heat. And I was judging the heat, but then he goes off to do like a back roll, takeoff loop. Starts to loop super early, goes crazy high, flips the board twice, catches the board kind of backwards, doesn't add it. Rotation lands it. And I'm like, yeah, that's, that's, that's the move. That's what wins and that's what, you know. Exactly. This event, it's a show. That's what he does. If you go kiting with him, he's putting on a show. If there's nobody watching, he's like, I was, okay, if there's some people on the beach just shouting, he'll start going crazy because that's what he does.

[Adrian Kerr]

We've seen it just starts throwing stuff. But you know, if you think back through the years, Andre's done that a couple times. Lords of Tram, fine. I remember he Jumped before the buzzer and he did like some crazy, like a. Almost like a rewind at one stage. It didn't obviously count, you know, but he already had those two big nines on the board we saw in the mega loop. He did some huge trick, hit the. Hit the white water in the final and crashed it. But he has that in. In a moment.

[Heel]

He has that. And it's. This one is a. Is a show. You got to play to the crowd. You got to play to the. The feeling. You got to. You got to feel what's going on on the beach. You got to feel somehow what's going on in the judges tower. And I think nobody feels that better than Andrea. So, you know, for Lorenzo to beat Andrea, I think he has to be a lot better, not just a little, because I don't think that will cut it, you know, And I think it's the same for Jeremy. Like, you have to beat him by a lot because he's going to feel exactly what he needs to do. That's why he's won the last King of the Airs, you know, like, he's feeling what he needs to do and he's doing what nobody wants to do, like mega loop. Not this year, but the year before. He was pulling this double when doubles weren't scoring all day. And it wasn't that double that scored it, but he was just willing to do what nobody wanted to do or nobody felt like doing. And he has that sense like, ah, if I go for this now, this is gonna. This is gonna put me over the edge, and this is gonna make me win the competition. And I think that's. Honestly, that's a. That's a skill you can't learn. It's something you have or you don't have.

[Adrian Kerr]

Do writers ever talk about the mystic move and trying to get that extra little paycheck?

[Heel]

I mean, last year, the most extreme move was the most technical move. So I don't really think so. I think the most extreme move from last year was Lorenzo's board of Laid back from the fin with a kite level at 24, 25 meters. Absolutely ridiculous compared to. I mean, Zach had a really. It was against me, actually. It was a board of laid back with a double flip, But I think it was like 12, 13 meters high to the right coming in, which was super impressive for the wind we had because it was not windy. So all respect to him and the time as well. The most extreme move. Well, we're not going to call that extreme, right? That was super technical and Risky.

[Ben]

No one was doing that multiple flip shit in King before he was kind of the first to do it.

[Heel]

No, no. So it's like, it's super, super impressive, but if you call something the most extreme, like.

[Ben]

Yeah, yeah.

[Heel]

You're not going to win Mega Loop with a triple flip because it's not extreme. Right. You're going to win it with, like, the lowest kite angle and, like, a crazy pull and crazy height. So if you call it like anything else. Yeah, for sure it's that one. Like, it was crazy impressive, but most extreme should be extreme.

[Adrian Kerr]

Speaking of Mystic Move, we have spoken to all the Mystic Move winners, and we've got a video coming out on Friday, I think the day before, maybe the green light on Saturday. That's what we're hearing. But, yeah, it's going to be. And it's very, very interesting video to look at the progression through the years of King of the Year, but it's also interesting to hear the writers talking about it and what they thought was good and the progression. So, yeah, check out that on. They'll be coming out on Friday on Portrait.

[Ben]

It is a King of the Air indulgence like we haven't seen before. I've made some long, lengthy videos in my time.

[Adrian Kerr]

This is. This is long.

[Ben]

But this one is like. This one is a gateau of cardboarding.

[Adrian Kerr]

You can't sleep the night before King of the Air because you're a little bit nervous to watch before you watch. He'll win on his fifth go. Put this on. You'll be straight to sleep in the first five minutes.

[Ben]

Indeed. You know, Indeed.

[Adrian Kerr]

Get Max talking.

[Ben]

Hang on. I've just knocked over cup. It's called gonna send people to sleep. No, that is what you've just said, mate.

[Adrian Kerr]

Nothing we. Nothing we do puts people to sleep.

[Ben]

Well, I think there's been a few podcasts in our time that might have done that, but we're. We're just. But humble podcasters after all. We're gonna switch over and talk about the women's fleet now here. We know you're plugged into that because Hill's romantic life partner is the current Mega Loop winner in the female division. It's Zara. Spoke to her yesterday. She seemed really confident and ready to go. There's loads of whispers around whether Macaulay Soul is going to turn up or not. Do you know if she is?

[Heel]

I know nothing. Jon Snow. No.

[Ben]

Are you lying?

[Heel]

I know she's struggling with. Are you lying with back injury? I'm not lying. You don't know No, I don't know.

[Ben]

Okay.

[Heel]

I know she's struggling with back injury, so I can imagine if it's forecasted to be 40 plus that she might think will take a rain check and if it's not that, she'll come do the competition because she signed up for it. But I have no definitive answer for you guys.

[Ben]

Unfortunately, if she does turn up, I will be incredibly happy because every time Makali Soul rocks up, it is sick.

[Heel]

Yeah, that's fair.

[Ben]

She rises above all of the, like, oh, she doesn't train. Oh, she hasn't done anything and she hasn't even taken like done a big jump this year. And she just comes and she does stuff that no other woman on earth can do. And I want to see that at King of the Air. I also believe that she's so, so experienced. Nine time world champion. She's been kiting in competitions way longer than any other female in the fleet. And honestly, if I was Mika looking at the freestyle, I would kind of be thinking, do you know what? I've done that? Do you know what I'm world champion for this year in Big Air. But the one thing she hasn't done is King of the Air. And I think if she turned up, I think she would realize that this event can like breathe some motivation and passion and energy back into her because let's face it, she hasn't ever seen a crowd like this. She hasn't ever seen the energy of the event or felt it. I don't think she's watched it yet live.

[Adrian Kerr]

She's been, she's been here before.

[Ben]

Yeah, she's been Cape Town before, but I don't think for King of the Air.

[Adrian Kerr]

Can't remember. I mean, I've definitely seen her here. Look, I mean, the other thing as well with, with Micali, we won't dwell on Micali because obviously we've got more stories to talk about. But she is struggling with injuries. It's, it's just a. Years of abuse on her body are catching up. Right? If you, you know, if you sit down and you really get into it with her, man, her knees are not good. I mean, she's only 21. I. It's crazy to think that she's put herself through that much. But let's, let's, let's move on. Has Zara talked about, you know, winning this and doing her own little big air double and holding the two sort of mages at the same time? Has that been some chat?

[Heel]

No, no, she doesn't really want to win this One. Yeah, no, of course. I mean this.

[Ben]

Rain check it.

[Heel]

This, this is the one she wants to win for sure. And I think she can do it because last couple of days when we go out and I'm doing a loop with a board off and stuff like that, and a laid back and like landing, I check my, check my watch and it's like 18 meters on surface. Okay, that's pretty good. And then I see Zara do a straight loop and like, wow, that's high. And like how high Was that? Like 18.2. My God. Like she'll go as high as we go. And I think that's pretty, that's pretty crazy. So she's getting the height super dialed now. It's just putting everything together and making sure that she can do all of her moves at that height. Because, yeah, I think if she can separate from the rest, the best possible way is by going 4 or 5 meters higher than everyone else. And that's a big ask. But she's got the kite for it. She's got, she's really good at reading the kickers. Like I would say she's better at reading the kickers than I am for some reason. Like, we'll train together and I get shitty takeoffs and she keeps going up and I'm like, how does she, you know, what does she see? So she's got a good feeling for that. So it's just about bringing everything together. Feeling good on the day like that starts. I mean, that already started. To be fair, being smart today, taking a rest day tomorrow, and then if it happens on Saturday, be ready for everything.

[Ben]

I think you're right. Zara's got the right kite for that. It just has more lift than the others. The only place that the XR has traditionally struggled is in the loops. But if you are a super confident rider and you'll take lift over loops, then for sure.

[Heel]

Yeah, yeah. And the xr, the new XR loops better than the previous one. So it's, it's quite a bit faster, carries a bit more speed, speed through the loop. Like it doesn't necessarily want to stop at the end. I feel like on my loops it does that because I'm trying to extract as much as I can out of the loop itself that by the time the loop's finished, the kite does tend to stall for a second. But I see that as a good thing because that's actually quite exciting. If the bar like moves up over your head and then comes back because it stalled that much. If that gets me excited I'm sure it gets the judges excited, so that's a good thing.

[Ben]

But for an amateur, for the person that wins fancy and wins the kite, I mean, this is the. This is the most fun, quickest one today.

[Heel]

That's what I'm saying. Like, if you want to extract everything out of it, you can stall the kite, but if you do everything the right way, you're not necessarily trying to squeeze every inch of power out of the kite, and it doesn't stall at all. Like, it recovers super quick. It's been allowing me to do these double edit rotations, both sides, like, super comfortable. I never really had that really dialed in until the new kite. So, yeah, for me, it's.

[Ben]

Well, we'll be the judge of that. Heel. Okay, let me and Adrian have a pop.

[Adrian Kerr]

The good thing with Zara, I think she's starting to execute all these years of experience. Right. You know, from back in Big Ear Kite league, she, you know, always, like, had her ups and downs. I just feel like Zara's really hitting her peak now. Really just sort of finding herself as a competition rider. She's, I think, put a little bit of gap between her and Francesca at the moment. Obviously, you've got Natalie and Pippa sort of coming as well. So I. I really like where Zara is at the moment. I just feel like, you know, everything's coming into line for her.

[Ben]

Tier one.

[Adrian Kerr]

She is Tier one. Yeah.

[Ben]

The other woman in Tier one that we know will turn up is Francesca Manny, the current queen. Last time we saw her in competition was at the Mega Loop. She had a concussion. The helmet blew off her head. She looks like she's made a full recovery to me. She's saying that to me. I watched her yesterday. She looked epic on the new orbits that are unreleased, but also just on the classic orbit, the purple one that she seems to love as well. We're not sure what she will ride on the day, but she's looking really good as well.

[Adrian Kerr]

But I think. I think you've got to think there's a difference between looking good and having it feeling good mentally, you know, and that pressure of competition when you have to, you know, especially. Especially in the nature of this, because it's two on two. It's very cutthroat. You basically win straight to the final. You have to be prepared to see a competitor do a big trick and then go, man, I got to put the pedal down here. You know, like what you were saying, and having that little thing in the back of your head is something that you need to land a couple of big tricks under pressure. We spoke about Jeremy having that one trick to get his confidence back. I think she still needs to feel that in competition. I think, and I don't know, but I'm just guessing, having head knocks before in the past and understanding what that's like at one stage you have to put yourself in a position where you're like, okay, I need to test myself out here. You can't do that and you can't do that free riding.

[Ben]

I disagree in her case though, she just goes, she just does it. She can turn off her brain.

[Adrian Kerr]

Cool.

[Heel]

But that's the thing now with, with the women's fleet as well. Like, all of the women that are on are competitors, you know, like, or at least a lot of them are real competitors. So you have Natalie, who's been riding freestyle as well for a long time and in, in competitions, always manages to, to turn it up a notch. And now with Mika unsure if she's joining, if she's not joining, we get Lana.

[Ben]

Yeah. And she's a savage.

[Heel]

And honestly, on, on some days, I don't know if that's better or worse. Here in Cape Town, you know, like, she's been going massive and she's been going super powered and if she puts down her perfect heat, she, she might be able to take it all, you know, like it's, it's real competitors and it's super brutal to have you lose your first heat. You're out.

[Thomas Salzberg]

Yeah.

[Ben]

Two heats and you've got it.

[Heel]

Like, I don't think I've ever won a first round in King of the Air, like, ever.

[Adrian Kerr]

You love round two.

[Heel]

I don't, but always end up there.

[Ben]

You just like the extra couple of miles under the belt.

[Heel]

I mean, and the same in Mega Loop. I was in round two and cold w. I was in round two. So I've been, I'm. I've been around two guy to, you know, warm up a little.

[Adrian Kerr]

I don't think that's a bad thing. Just people come from round two and one.

[Heel]

It's quite nice to conserve some energy.

[Adrian Kerr]

Oh, sure, yeah. Yeah, sure.

[Ben]

So Kevin, Kevin won it from round two.

[Heel]

Yeah.

[Ben]

At the very top of this podcast, you mentioned that you'd change something in your riding. And how you're hitting the kickers was enabling you to reach a higher level than you've had before in previous years. I remember you when you're on ocean rodeo going through tens of boards and I would watch you ride, but before watching you ride, I'D be like, how's he doing that? Those boards must just be terrible. And then I watch you ride and you go so fast. You were like quite significantly faster than anyone else into a kicker.

[Heel]

Yeah.

[Ben]

And I, then I realized I was like, oh, okay. You're literally annihilating the face of it. Have you changed that? What have you tweaked?

[Heel]

I'm not going to give away my secrets. What is this?

[Adrian Kerr]

Bit of boards, bro. Bit of boards.

[Ben]

Choice six, baby.

[Heel]

What is. Well, yeah.

[Adrian Kerr]

Are you on the Choice 6 or you're on the imperator?

[Heel]

I'm. I'm on the Choice 6. I have an Imperator pro as well, which I'm going to test today because I haven't been riding it. So it's just a question. If it's smart. It's going to be a 138.

[Ben]

So it would be the imperator or the imperator.

[Heel]

So the idea was to have a lighter board for if the wind's lighter. So it's a fast board.

[Ben]

Very smart.

[Heel]

It's fast and it's light, so I think that's quite smart. But I just don't know how light is going to be. So I feel really good on the 10XR. So if the Imperator Pro on the 138, if I can just dial it in straight. Right, right off the bat, I think that would be my.

[Ben]

So you might change your board two days before.

[Heel]

Yeah, yeah, that's fine. It's just a board.

[Ben]

Okay.

[Heel]

You know, if it's faster and if it gets you up there and you feel comfortable. Comfortable. Like I said, I'll ride it today. And if I say, ah, the change is too big, then I'll just stick to the choice because that's what I've been riding now for the last months.

[Adrian Kerr]

But you mentioned your 10 meter. Is that, is that your cut of choice? The bigger kite?

[Heel]

I mean if I could be on a nine, that would be great because that means it's howling. So that's what I want. But if I have to be on a 10, I'm comfortable.

[Adrian Kerr]

What? To what wind? 35?

[Heel]

No, like I could probably hold it until 35, but it doesn't make sense, you know.

[Ben]

Guys, guys, guys, you need. What he has just said is ridiculous. A 10 meter. Oh, he said he looks ah.

[Adrian Kerr]

He.

[Ben]

35 knots in Cape Town.

[Adrian Kerr]

Well, he said I'd rather be on my 10 meter. That was your.

[Ben]

No, no, I'm not saying what you. You haven't said anything ridiculous. We Just need to put into context what he's just said. Adrian, what would happen to you if.

[Adrian Kerr]

You took a 10 out, took a.

[Ben]

10 out in 35 knots in Cape Town?

[Adrian Kerr]

My poor shoulder would be on the bloody out by Robben Island.

[Ben]

Yeah. I think it might, actually, might come off your body. It would just refuse.

[Heel]

I didn't say I could hold it. I didn't say I could just do all my tricks with it. I could hold it.

[Ben]

Yeah. But that to. For the folk who listen into this, the hump, they're humble weekend warriors, you know, they need to, they need to understand how ridiculous that is. Francesca Maney. Last year in February, we had leftover kite that Aaron had eliminated from his blank kite test. We put Francesca on it. She turns up in the morning, it's really windy already, she turns up for the shoot. She's like, can I just go and warm up a little bit, like. Because I always think, what if she gets injured? And then the shoots not possible. And we've paid everyone, there's a disaster. But she was queen of the air and I kind of felt like I couldn't say no, so I was like, fine, go and do it. She takes her north orbit out and she's uncharacteristically crashing quite a bit. And I'm filming and I can't really see what she's attempting. But then I go for like a punched in angle and I see it and I watched her do the world first Megaloop Tic Tac. She takes it off via the fin, spins it round, catch it back on the handle, puts it back on her feet with her left hand, flying the kite with her right, stomps it, comes in screaming, top of her lungs. That, that was 19.1 and she'd never done it before. And then we confirmed, like, I don't think anyone's done that before, Francesca. And you see that in this, in this episode and she is ecstatic. There's quite a lot of swearing, but we felt that was appropriate for the occasion. And then we put her on the blank kite, which was the 8 meter Jacobson, and she goes and busts her woo PB on it. We then sit her down, tell her.

[Adrian Kerr]

What, give too much of the video away. This is a video promotion, Ben.

[Ben]

Okay, yeah, sorry, that didn't. Well, it might have happened and you should go and watch it. If you're a subscriber, you can go and watch it now. And that can be Thursday's Little King in the Air treat for you.

[Adrian Kerr]

Well, he'll look Mate, thanks for coming over and. And best of luck. I mean if there is something to this magic five year thing that Mark talks about, mate, it's going to be your year, brother.

[Ben]

Mate, we'd love to see you in this.

[Heel]

I tell you what, I love it. I'm ready. Let's go.

[Ben]

After all that paddle, you're ready.

[Adrian Kerr]

He doesn't play pedal so much anymore. You keep running into walls.

[Heel]

No, no, I play pedal.

[Ben]

He loves.

[Heel]

There's no run into walls anymore. You tend to get smarter.

[Adrian Kerr]

What did you say? Never give up. Never, never give up on the ball. I think you have to sort of maybe just take 10% off that.

[Heel]

Yeah. Never give. Unless, you know, you might break a collar bone or something. Then just give up.

[Ben]

Unless you're playing paddle and then just maybe don't. Okay, last topic and then we're going to let heal go. Cuz he's no doubt got a day.

[Heel]

Does anyone call you Triple C or not? It's quite a sick no.

[Ben]

But I'm thinking single. Single G for you. Now that you've given up your own invention.

[Heel]

Just, just top. Then something new.

[Ben]

Then you're like Thomas Edison given up on the phone after he's made it.

[Heel]

Yeah.

[Ben]

Is that who invented the telephone?

[Adrian Kerr]

I think it was he.

[Ben]

Electricity. Him going back to candles after he's lit his light bulb.

[Adrian Kerr]

Mate, this light bulb's too dangerous.

[Ben]

I'm really showing exposing my own intelligence there. That's something I tried to not do in this podcast. Tried to shield everyone from it. But I've done it. Last topic. Cape Town feels different this season to me. There's less people on the water. Airbnbs are three times the price that they normally are. You're living somewhere way off. You're not in your usual penthouse suite.

[Adrian Kerr]

Cheap.

[Heel]

Cheap.

[Ben]

What's going on?

[Heel]

We're living in a really nice place and cheap. It just took effort to actually find something and not just find the first apartment on the beach and just book the most expensive thing. So we just put some effort into it, that's all.

[Ben]

Apparently still the same. Apparently. It's miles away.

[Heel]

The only thing that's different this year.

[Ben]

I heard you're living in the gutter.

[Adrian Kerr]

You have to leave at 4:30 in.

[Heel]

The morning for a 9pm we drive anyways. If you drive two minutes or seven minutes, it's not going to make a difference. Just put all your gear in the car.

[Ben]

Good opportunity to listen to a nice podcast as well.

[Heel]

Exactly.

[Ben]

There you go.

[Heel]

I love to watch like Joe. Like listen to Joe Rogan. And what other parts I can easily.

[Adrian Kerr]

Go through and remove all this.

[Heel]

What others?

[Adrian Kerr]

The surfer words you've been talking about. Don't worry.

[Ben]

On the water, though, does Cape Town feel different? Are there less people here? What do you mean? Yes, there is less.

[Heel]

I don't know. It's November, mate. Like, it's beginning of November. It's always a bit less. I feel like if it's not that windy, it's still quite crowded. But the last week has been really, really nice. But the first week I was here, the first couple of days, it could be quite busy and not even really windy. So I think if it gets super windy, most people don't go kiting anyway. But last week's been really nice. I'm.

[Ben]

I'm enjoying it, but it's been so windy.

[Heel]

Won't be as empty as with King of the Air. I'm excited for that. Three people on the water.

[Adrian Kerr]

Yeah. What. What is that like to. To get to ride the perfect conditions, the perfect wind and just be out there by yourself? Is. Is it. It must be, I guess, tacking out. I think Kevin said it, tacking out just feels normal. But when you come back in, you see all the people and have all the space. I mean, that must be a pretty awesome feeling.

[Heel]

I mean, King of the Air is rarely epic condition or like perfect conditions. It's quite often, unfortunately, quite often, like light or messy. Now it looks like it's going to be windy, but this swell might be super messy. So I wouldn't say it's the perfect conditions. But it's absolutely insane that when you go up in the air to do a trick, like you hear wind in your ears all the time, it's like. And then the moment you go up and you start to loot, like in your loop, there's no more wind noise because you're moving with the wind. And then you just hear people shouting at the beach.

[Adrian Kerr]

Wow, cool.

[Heel]

Or going like. And that's. Honestly, that's such an unreal feeling.

[Adrian Kerr]

Wow, cool.

[Heel]

And then, yeah, when you come, when you ride back to the beach and it's not that crazy windy, like last year it was packed. The beach was packed. If it's like couple years ago where we could do doubles, then it's not that packed because people getting sandblasted.

[Thomas Salzberg]

But.

[Heel]

But that's very special. And I think you get that only in a couple spots. Like Balnia area is one of those spots that if you have a competition and you're in the air traveling with the wind, you have people Right up wind of you shouting like it feels like they're right next to you. And here it's kind of the same where you really, you really take that in while you're doing a trick here.

[Ben]

We're gonna let you go. Thanks for joining us. Here's a clip from the upcoming Mystic Move video that will come out on Friday. Friday. Here is Kevin Langery talking about that.

[Kevin Langery]

Feeling out of this world. And then you hear the whole crowd just go. And that feeling is something I've never experienced in anything else in my life. You know, in the day to day life, the amount of adrenaline, the amount of, you know, feeling like you're on top of the world, it's very addicting.

[Heel]

That will catch you coming back.

[Kevin Langery]

Oh, 100%. It's like a drug. Like it gives me, it still gives me. It's quite a long time ago, it's almost 10 years ago. But if I think about that feeling, it's just so magical. I cannot even, I'm not even gonna try to describe it because it won't justify to the feeling I'm feeling. But I can tell you one thing.

[Adrian Kerr]

It's.

[Kevin Langery]

It's crazy addicting. And that's something that kept me going for so many years, pushing myself to that ultimate feeling. And now I'm not competing anymore. And it's. It's hard. It's. I haven't found anything else where I can get that similar kind of feeling. It's like a hard drug. Yeah, it's crazy.

[Ben]

Thank to us as always, we'll see you in the next one, which will be tomorrow. Goodbye.