Kitesurf365 Podcast Summary
Episode: Lorenzo Casati | Episode #406
Date: September 22, 2025
Host: Adrian Kerr
Guest: Lorenzo Casati (Red Bull Megaloop 2025 Winner)
Episode Overview
This episode features an in-depth conversation between host Adrian Kerr and kiteboarding star Lorenzo Casati, fresh off his Grand Slam win at the 2025 Red Bull Megaloop. Lorenzo shares the thrill of clinching victory in his very first Megaloop event, achieving what he refers to as kiteboarding’s “big three” alongside King of the Air and a world championship. The discussion journeys through the technical elements of the event, his riding strategies, equipment choices, preparation, and the future trajectory of the sport. Expect detailed insights into competition mindset, kite tech, rider development, and the camaraderie at the sport's highest level.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Achieving the Sport’s “Big Three”
[00:35-01:34]
- Lorenzo describes the feeling of finally conquering Red Bull Megaloop after missing out in prior years, and now owning wins in the sport’s three biggest events.
- “For me was just insane feeling to win the Red Bull Mega Loop.” – Lorenzo, [00:35]
- Only Lorenzo and Andrea Principi have completed this trifecta, a very exclusive club.
2. Equipment: 18m vs 22m Lines & Kite Tuning
[01:34-02:31]; [08:19-09:53]
- Discusses the switch to shorter, 18-meter lines at Megaloop.
- “We had some good power, like way more power going with the kite lower… I really agree on that.” – Lorenzo, [01:57]
- Importance of fine-tuning kite setup for unique event demands; minor V adjustment but no major bridle changes; working closely with Harlem Kites and his father.
- “We work a lot together with my father as well and Aaron and Ralph ... to tune the kite for especially this condition and the 18 meter lines...” – Lorenzo, [08:19]
3. Extreme Event Conditions & Adaptation
[02:31-04:42]; [12:55-14:08]
- Strong, gusty winds (up to 55 knots), heavy current, and messy, unpredictable waves at Holland.
- “There was the biggest difference...really the current…like you could feel that while you were riding.” – Lorenzo, [02:48]
- Adapted by seeking vertical close-to-shore kickers and being strategic about upwind/downwind position due to challenging current.
- Specific upwind strategy: “Go more outside…where there was like no wave breaking, you could actually go upwind much faster.” – Lorenzo, [13:26]
4. Competition Strategy & Psychological Pressure
[03:48-06:59]
- The scoring system (best single trick, not overall impression) led to more patient, focused riding, waiting for the perfect takeoff.
- “You don't have to force to go for multiple trick because there is no overall impression...you just can wait for that perfect kicker.” – Lorenzo, [03:48]
- Moment of suspense: lost access to live score in the final, forcing him to “full send” and throw biggest tricks in the closing minutes.
- “I could not see my position…so nobody knew nothing…When I know I had to push more, you know. And then I went for another doobie... just go full send at the end, man.” – Lorenzo, [05:52-06:59]
5. The “Luck Factor” of Megaloop
[07:07-08:01]
- Adrian raises the event’s “lottery” reputation; Lorenzo acknowledges some truth but credits consistent riding as most important.
- “You can technically crush everything. Just get that lucky guy. Just go super high. But... consistency still win, you know?” – Lorenzo, [07:07-08:01]
6. Equipment & Technique Tweaks
[09:57-10:32]
- Altered bar technique to prevent kite back-stalling due to current and loss of line tension; orca fins for extra grip and control.
- “In some tricks, I was...pulling the bar a little bit slower also on the loop...not pulling the bar all the way in just to make sure the kite is not backstalling...” – Lorenzo, [09:57]
7. Consistency & Fitness
[10:32-12:55]
- Focuses on core tricks that work in all conditions, trains new variations while ensuring competition “bread and butter” tricks are unshakeable.
- Increased physical fitness from land-based training with his dad now gives him more explosiveness, faster recovery between tricks.
- “I can feel like way more fit on the water…I can really feel that super improved with like training axe of the water.” – Lorenzo, [12:19]
8. Handling Challenging, Shallow Conditions
[14:08-15:14]
- Dangerously shallow water required mental focus:
- “If you pin drop from 20 meter, it would not have been good… I was like, okay, if I’m gonna crash… put all the weight on my back otherwise I’m maybe gonna break my legs.” – Lorenzo, [14:14]
9. Areas for Improvement & Future Focus
[16:10-17:45]
- Wants to bring more technicality (flips, tic tacs) to low-kite-position tricks—a challenge for progress.
- Plans intense cross-discipline focus (waves, hydrofoil) but Big Air/King of the Air remains the top goal for 2025.
- “Bring a bit more of technicality… not with the kite high, but with the kite low… that’s something that now, okay, I can do, but still, I think there is a lot of room for improvement in that side.” – Lorenzo, [16:21]
10. On Trick Progression: Singles, Doubles, and Triples
[18:33-20:06]
- Refuses to declare “the death of doubles/triples,” insisting that if conditions allow, he’ll push technical multi-loop tricks—the event needs high wind and less current.
- “For my way of riding, I really love double and triple a lot… they’re really technical, they’re really powerful and…super hard.” – Lorenzo, [18:48]
11. Reflections on Recent and Upcoming Competitions
[21:08-23:00]
- Skipped the Spanish Nationals to recover post-Megaloop and prepare for the busy upcoming schedule (Cold Hawaii, Abu Dhabi hydrofoil, King of the Air).
- “I wanted to take a small break after the mega Loop… a lot of competition, a lot of planning…” – Lorenzo, [21:25]
12. “Trip with the Boys” in Mykonos
[24:02-25:29]
- Training and friendship: spent time in Greece pushing each other, breaking records, making a movie and a book project together with Jeremy and Andrea.
- “It was just good to stay with the boys, kite together, have some fun. You know, it was a good summer treatment.” – Lorenzo, [24:05]
- The upcoming project is set to make history in kiting media: “It’s gonna be one for the history, man.” – Lorenzo, [25:29]
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On Completing the “Big Three”:
“Honestly, just me and Andrea that have won three of them...win all three. It’s...yeah, but still like this year the goal, it's King of the Air, you know, to get King of the Air in the same year as well.” – Lorenzo, [01:14] -
On Handling Pressure and Final Minutes:
“…I know I had to push more, you know. And then I went for another doobie, put the kite super low. And then as well for a tornado... I had. Yeah, just go full send at the end, man.” – Lorenzo, [06:59] -
On Adapting to Unfamiliar Currents:
“For me, kind of blew my mind away because I'm never used to this condition. It was my second time riding in Holland and it's just, yeah. Crazy.” – Lorenzo, [13:01] -
On Technical Progression:
“...really try to get super technical with flips, Tic Tac, but then having the kite super, super low...I think there is a lot of room for improvement in that side.” – Lorenzo, [16:34] -
On the Community of Top Riders:
"I think we're really combining it really well." – On blending technicality with proper kite angle, [18:20] -
On the Upcoming Video/Book Project:
“It’s actually super epic stuff. Like you guys gonna love it. … It's gonna be one for the history, man.” – Lorenzo, [25:29]
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Time | Segment Description | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:35 | Lorenzo on winning the ‘big three’ | | 01:34 | Kite line lengths: 18m vs 22m, technical impressions | | 02:31 | Analysis of Holland’s wind, waves, current | | 04:42 | Strategy vs Andrea in the final | | 05:43 | Losing live scores, pushing hard in final minutes | | 07:07 | “Luck” in Megaloop compared to King of the Air | | 08:19 | Harlem Kites team approach to equipment setup | | 09:57 | Adjusting riding technique to new conditions | | 10:38 | Casati’s focus on consistency and trick reliability | | 12:19 | How fitness and out-of-water training pay off | | 13:01 | Navigating strong currents, upwind strategies | | 14:14 | Shallow water dangers, landing safety tactics | | 16:21 | Technical progression goals | | 18:48 | The role of doubles and triples in Megaloop’s evolution | | 21:19 | Skipping the Spanish Nationals for rest/prep | | 24:05 | Mykonos trip: camaraderie, training, upcoming film | | 25:29 | Teaser on the new documentary/book project |
Closing Thoughts
This episode provides an intimate look into the mental and technical approach of one of kiteboarding’s top contemporary athletes at a career peak. Lorenzo Casati’s blend of consistent performance, technical progression, equipment expertise, and collaborative mindset shines through. The episode is a must-listen (or read) for anyone passionate about Big Air kiteboarding or curious about the sport’s evolving landscape at the highest competitive echelon.