Kitesurf365: Land Of The Rising Sun | The Megapod (Feb 5, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this special MEGAPOD episode, Adrian Kerr is joined by Ben, Pete (Steezy Pete), and Jason Vanderspade, bringing listeners an on-location experience from the Japanese island of Ishigaki. Between tales of travel mishaps, the oddities of Japanese shopping, and behind-the-scenes banter about kiteboarding gear and competitions, the crew dives deep into current themes in the kiteboarding world. The episode weaves serious industry observations with trademark irreverence, setting the tone for the next “Road to Pro” video series and touching on evolving formats, gear tech, brand economics, and the wildness of top-tier big air competitions.

Main Themes & Discussions

1. Arrival in Japan & Team Dynamics

• Location: Ishigaki, a remote island near Taiwan, site for filming the second "Road to Pro" video series.
• Travel Trouble: The team describes their journey, with anecdotes about a plane misadventure—possible medical emergency/diversion (03:02).
• Uncertainty: Jason and Pete express apprehension about upcoming (secretive) filming plans.
  • "We're slightly concerned... I don't know what you boys have planned for us and I'm partially terrified." – Jason (01:59)
• Previous Series Recap: The pain of last season's pranks (including Pete's infamous Cape Town sponsorship request and a leg break) is contrasted with the new adventure.

2. Multi-Host Format & Podcast Feedback

• Listener Reactions: Ben and Adrian discuss mixed feedback on episodes with new co-hosts, acknowledging “pushback” from listeners who prefer the core duo (04:10).
  • "They said we don't want to hear from anyone. We just want to hear you two talking." – Ben (04:18)
• Finding Rhythm: Emphasis on letting the format evolve.

3. Cultural Encounters in Japan

• Shopping Madness: The team recounts a chaotic, surreal visit to Don Quixote, a sensory-overload Japanese store.
  • "It's like hell in a shop... an audio visual disaster... like a physical representation of social media." – Adrian (07:16, 07:40)
• Odd Acquisitions: Purchases include a horse mask, a Charizard plush ("taxidermy"), and a “massage gun” that’s actually a sex toy (08:21).
• Local Food Adventures: Wholesome yakitori meals, awkward refusals of raw chicken, and sampling of chicken hearts and necks (10:31-11:27).

4. Kiteboarding Talk: Tech, Gear, & Trends

Jason’s New Kite – Nash Psycho Envision

• Tech Details: Jason describes his new Nash kite, drawing comparisons to the Brainchild, but emphasizing unique tech.
  • "It is the latest leading edge material... beautiful canopy cloth... really, really fast. It’s the fastest." – Jason (12:12)
• Development Process: The intricacies of digital printing, Dacron materials, construction, and the difference between marketing and innovation (13:07).

Boots vs. Straps in Big Air & Freestyle

• Debate: Should more riders use boots for Wu Records? Jason argues they offer more control for boosting but most are set in their strap-riding ways (14:32-15:12).
  • "If it was just a session when you’re going to go out and boost, boots are for sure the answer." – Jason (15:12)
• Visual vs. Technical: Discussion of style, risk, and potential injury, plus references to Finn Flugel and Aaron Hadlow’s style evolutions.

Freestyle vs. Big Air Consumption

• Spectator Experience: Big air dominates but good freestyle still captivates, especially live (17:50).
  • "Watching a freestyle comp live is the sickest thing ever because big air, you’re on the beach getting blasted by wind... freestyle, you got a brisk 12, 15 knots and you’re checking the voice." – Jason (17:50)

Price Wars & Brand Economics

• Blank Kite Test Insights: A frank examination of how price-per-performance has complicated buyer choices with vast differences in kite prices, sometimes making a “full quiver” cheaper than a single flagship kite (21:48-23:08).
• COVID Overproduction: Brands flooded the market, driving prices down unsustainably (25:13).
• Industry Future: Predictions that “cheap” kites from brands like Gong may come to dominate, while legacy brands with no diversity or investment risk vanishing (26:41, 27:13).

Podium vs. Rider Fame in Kite Marketing

• Do wins sell kites?: The group debates whether podium finishes drive sales more than big personality riders.
  • "Podium results sell kites, not riders... But it’s starting to put pressure on the smaller brands." – Ben (27:42)
  • "Podiums give credibility... but a shitload of marketing [is needed] to support that." – Jason (28:03)

Competition Formats – One Design Kite Classes

• Fairness and Cost Control: A discussion unfolds about whether a "one kite for all" racing/class approach would level the field or introduce new problems (32:14-34:58).
  • "Would a one class competition where everyone has to ride the same kite... quality goes down and price goes up." – Pete (00:09, 34:58)
• Prototyping Expense: Reveals that each development kite can cost €500+shipping, highlighting the costs behind continuous innovation (29:13).

Evolution of Big Air Kites

• Timeline & Tech Progress: From C-kites and the introduction of bridles, to the D Lab Evo and recent innovations—each boosting rider performance and altering event outcomes.
  • "The further forward a kite flies and without having stability issues, the better it will perform." – Jason (31:15)
• Competition Dangers: The insane risks of pushing the limits at places like Lords of Tram.
  • "You have to be literally willing to die." – Jason (37:28)
  • Recounts of serious accidents (Josh Gillet, Janzun)—hard landings, near-death experiences.

Gender, Skill, and Risk in Big Air

• Female Progression & Perception: Extended acknowledgment of the women at big air events, both their risk and tenacity.
  • "I think that is what is impressive with the females, to be honest, just their willingness to want to go and compete." – Jason (42:31)
• Debate: Adrian challenges whether the praise skews towards misogyny—leads to nuanced reflections on skill vs. gender in extreme conditions.

Notable Quotes & Moments (by Timestamp)

• Plane Trouble, Tokyo Layover
  • “The plane got diverted en route to Doha to Bahrain because someone maybe died on our plane. We’re not sure.” – Adrian (03:02)
• Don Quixote Shopping Hell
  • “It’s like hell in a shop... just an audio visual disaster.” – Adrian (07:16)
  • “When you get isolated... you turn around, it’s like a little maze... run back to the pack.” – Ben (09:08)
• Freestyle vs. Big Air Competition
  • “Watching a freestyle comp live is the sickest thing ever... it’s actually really nice to watch freestyle. Good powered freestyle.” – Jason (17:50)
• Women in Big Air
  • “12 girls that compete in that. They’re the only 12 girls on earth who would go out and ride that thing.” – Ben (40:12)

Key Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Time | |---------------------------------|-------------| | Arrival in Ishigaki, Japan | 00:36–01:59 | | Previous Road to Pro Recap | 02:25–02:50 | | Listener Feedback on Hosts | 04:10–05:08 | | Don Quixote Store Madness | 07:08–09:21 | | Local Food & Noodle Stories | 10:31–11:27, 21:00–21:18 | | Jason’s Kite Tech Deep Dive | 12:01–14:03 | | Kite Industry Price Wars | 21:48–28:34 | | Evolution of Competition Kites | 29:43–32:12 | | One-Design/One-Kite Debates | 32:14–36:39 | | Lords of Tram Danger Stories | 37:11–39:48 | | Gender & Risk in Competition | 40:12–44:14 | | Planning the Next Project | 46:25–48:50 |

Memorable Moments & Humor

• Michelle Sky Haywood 2: Throwback to Adrian’s Instagram alter-ego chosen by fans (05:14–05:49).
• TikTok Spanking on Osaka Bridge: Bizarre street scene underscores Japanese culture shock (09:56).
• "No one wants a kite video like this": Team riffs on whether the new project is necessity or folly (46:34–46:52).
• Winging? “Never.”: Consensus that wing-boarding isn’t worth their creative or sporting energy (47:37).

Conclusion & Overall Vibe

This MEGAPOD episode blends raw travelogue, technical deep-dives, industry critique, and the self-deprecating wit the crew is known for. Whether it’s dissecting the economics of kite prices, recounting gnarly accident stories, or ribbing each other over lost shopping experiences and leg breaks, the episode is a whirlwind snapshot of the kiteboarding subculture in 2026.

Final Quote:
“Just remember: never been seen, never been done. You’ll be part of history.” – Ben (48:47)

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