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- [00:01]
A
Welcome to the kitesurf 365 podcast.
- [00:04]
B
Welcome back to the show. I hope you all had a great weekend. On today's episode I'm joined by the 17 year old German and F1 writer, Martin Kobleski. And we chat about his breakout performance of the Lords of Tram and we chat about his plans for the season ahead. Don't forget to follow me at kaitsurf365 for all the latest episodes. Ladies and gentlemen, Martin Kobleshki. Martin, good to see my man. How you doing?
- [00:38]
A
Hey, Jin, how are you doing? I'm great.
- [00:40]
B
I'm doing good too, man. It's been a few weeks after Lords of Tram. How are you? Sort of decompressing after that unbelievable performance from yourself.
- [00:49]
A
Thank you. Yeah, I'm in Sardinia at the moment with the world class academy and we don't have too, too much strong wind, but it's also great to have some foiling and try out some new kites. I'm doing good.
- [01:02]
B
It's a bit of a change from Lords of Tram to Sardinia where I guess wind wise and temperature wise.
- [01:07]
A
Yeah, for sure. France was, it was pretty rough. Not only the temperature, but also the wind was definitely stronger and more gusty than what I'm used to. But that was great.
- [01:20]
B
A lot of guys have been saying to me they really struggle with the cold. You're German. How are you with the cold, I mean. Or are you not used to cold anymore because you're pretty much traveling to all these perfect destinations around the world?
- [01:32]
A
No, I'm. I guess I'm so used to it. I think the first years of kiting definitely helped me to, to get comfortable and. Yeah, no, it was, it was pretty, pretty tough with all the time in between the heats. But then on the water you don't really think about it and. Yeah.
- [01:51]
B
Did you ride with gloves or boots or just go bare hands and bare feet?
- [01:56]
A
No, only. I mean, in between the heats I had like three pair of pants, three hoodies, dry open everything and then on the water without gloves and boots.
- [02:07]
B
I mean, especially with you, you only got to ride two heats, right? I mean, when you look at your Lords of Tram experience, you literally ride for like 24 minutes only, which is crazy.
- [02:15]
A
I mean, pretty intense. 24 minutes. But then, yeah, if you think about it, it's not, it's not too much of, of kiting. But yeah, you definitely look at it and it's definitely more of a intense experience.
- [02:27]
B
I would say before we get into Lords of Tram, we, we heard on the Live stream that your nickname's Kobe. Is this like a, is this like a nickname at the school or use the nickname Kobe all the time?
- [02:36]
A
Oh, no, at home I think the, the, the people in the younger grades don't, don't even know my, my real name anymore.
- [02:44]
B
It's just Kobe.
- [02:45]
A
Yeah, it's only Kobe. And yeah, no, at the school it's, it's still Martin ever.
- [02:51]
B
I think we should push Kobe home, bro. You could become like a Brazilian kite border just with one name. Like Baby Shark. You can have Baby Shark and you can have Kobe.
- [02:58]
A
Yeah, that would be great. I think everyone at home would be pretty stoked on that.
- [03:03]
B
Martin, what was your mindset going into Lords of tr? Because I know that you've, you've, know you've been, you do quite a lot of competitions with wicker. You know, you won the high five grom Search, you've been in full power fleets. You know, unfortunately you haven't had the wind. You had done Australian nationals, but this was a big step up. How did you mentally prepare for this one?
- [03:22]
A
Yeah, first of all, I was super excited. Like getting in first of all is I think almost harder than then staying in. But then I was super excited. Going to France two weeks before and getting used to the conditions. I think that's what really helped me prepare and then just feel, feel like I'm used to the, to the tricks also in these conditions now and then really just focusing on my own riding in the comp. I knew going into it all the heat's going to be tough. Doesn't matter who I'm against. So now it's good to have some time before with Max and everyone training and then, yeah, just focusing on writing.
- [04:05]
B
I mean, let's go straight into it. Round one, beating Andrea Principe. I don't care what mental state Andre is in, if you beat Andrea, that's a big win.
- [04:13]
A
Yeah, no, I think also in this heat, like I knew doesn't matter if it's against Andrea or everyone else, like anyone else, it's, it's always going to be. I need the, the tricks, like my hardest tricks. So yeah, it was, I worked out pretty well and yeah, I'm happy with the results for sure.
- [04:36]
B
Obviously round three, you end up losing to Zak and Cohen who went on to the semifinals. But an incredible performance from yourself. What was your goals coming into Lords of Tram? Because, you know, as a young rider coming in, you know, everyone can always say to you, I just go and enjoy it and enjoy the experience. But I Know the competitive side of yourself. And Max, with what goals did you set yourself before this competition?
- [04:59]
A
I mean, for sure you don't want to get out in round two, but I think it's also. I think I would have been happy if I landed my tricks, even though I went out early. So I think as soon as I landed all my best tricks, then I'm happy and that's what then really matters. Then if others have a better performance or a better day, than I also have to respect it and then just work on my own now. But I'm also stoked on how I rode and I think that's the only thing I now really want to push. And then.
- [05:38]
B
Yeah, I mean, it's an interesting position that you're in. Right. Because you've almost got nothing to lose. I mean, you really don't. Right. You're just almost riding without pressure. Like, I mean, I know there's the pressure of competition, there's having to get out and go out, and when you look around, you're seeing the Zachs and the Cohens and stuff like that. Did you have that sort of feeling like, you know, I don't really have anything to lose here. I'm just going to go out and do my best. Was that the sort of attitude you took into it?
- [06:02]
A
Yeah, to be honest, going into it, I was. The days before was quite strong and I was like, only holding on to seven. And then the forecast for. For the comp looked like 60 knots. So I was like, let's see how this goes. Yeah. But then now on the comp day, actually, like, it was quite light or like, yeah, we were quite unlucky with the wind. But then it just felt like hiding was so nice. Just like going out like always before, like, visualizing felt way more stressful than actually riding it. It was just kiting with everyone. That's super nice.
- [06:41]
B
And what was it like for you to kite with people that you've been looking up to for years and be involved in a comp, you know? You know, it's easy to. To a spot and see Andrea, Lorenzo, Jeremy or riding, and that's common if you're in Cape Town or wherever, but to actually be in a rid meeting with them, looking around, was that a cool feeling?
- [06:59]
A
Yeah, that was pretty. Pretty sick. I mean, all the. All the years before, I was watching every single kite video, every single comp, and then just being around those people was super. Yeah. Such a great experience. And then. I know it felt kind of normal too. Like, I felt like I knew Them from video. So no, it was also felt like I felt ready for the comp this time.
- [07:21]
B
So what was their reception to you? Did a lot of people come up to you and say, hey, well done, amazing effort, great writing.
- [07:27]
A
Yeah, no, they were all very nice to me. Like, they all didn't know me, but everyone was super open for questions. It was, yeah, very nice to, to get to know everyone. And I think we all, I mean, kind of the same boat or pushing, kiting. So now super, super friendly.
- [07:46]
B
Who did you look up to when you were growing up? Who was your sort of rider that you were like, man, that's the guy I want to ride like, or that's the guy I want to beat one day.
- [07:55]
A
It's pretty funny because as soon as I like started big air, I was always Lucas ry and then I was up against him in the first heat and then also in the third one. And yeah, it was super nice, like chatting with him before and then riding against him and I mean if I, I managed to beat him. So that's like the biggest. Yeah, like definitely showed me how, how far I got early and now it's, it's been awesome. Also last year in Cape Town, we, we were at the school and he was there as a guest coach. So yeah, he helped us like prepare for a good competition mindset. And yeah, I think his approach for kidding is super nice. So yeah, that's every week.
- [08:45]
B
Super nice guy and I, I believe a really good coach too.
- [08:49]
A
Right.
- [08:49]
B
I. I've heard rumors that he's really great at breaking stuff down and actually heard it from some of the people that work at the World Class Kiteboarding Academy, though they were very impressed with Luca, also an ex student of the, of the program as well.
- [09:02]
A
Yeah, no, it's. He's definitely helped a lot in the, in the training or like the smaller details, which I've been always working on myself before, before coming to the school. It's been like me together, together with my grandpa, sitting at home analyzing like small little improvement points. So now it's definitely a big setup, a step up with the school, but also Luca and everyone. Yeah.
- [09:31]
B
Martin, how many more years of the World Class Kiteboarding academy do you have or are you graduating this year?
- [09:38]
A
We have graduation in two weeks already now in Sardinia and then there's one more year for me to do. It's like American High School. So yeah, I'm in 11th grade now and then next year I'm graduating and the stops look awesome. Like it's going to be Cape Town Brazil. Colombia too. We're Jamaicai kites.
- [10:00]
B
So one of your teammates. Yeah, dude. How. How's his style, by the way? Really interesting style. I know he tried. I know he tried to get into. Into the event and, you know, he's pretty disappointed, but I told him, I said, listen, Barrett's. Hey, you've got a great style. Just own it. Because it's difficult to do that in 50 knots.
- [10:16]
A
Yeah, no, it's. It's awesome. I think it's so important to have different styles like now in the good world tour. You definitely have to stand out for it to be a good heat, I would say.
- [10:28]
B
Actually, the F1 team is pretty impressive when you think about it, because they've got so many different looks, you know, a lot of different optics. Whether it's, you know, you and Elliot and Josh pushing the big air. You know, you've got Charles, you've got like, you know, obviously Mitu, who's an absolute legend and in the surfside, it's pretty cool, man. I really do dig the team Jamaica, by the way, if you haven't seen this kid, I'll put his Instagram in the. In the. In the show notes. Check this kid out because he's got a very different riding style. Different. Different access almost the way he rides, you know.
- [10:59]
A
Yeah, yeah, it's awesome. Like, for me also coming from duotone and then F1, just offer me, like, to try out so much more, like, only big egg hiding. So. It's awesome to. To see this. Yeah.
- [11:14]
B
I want to ask you about Fin Flugel. For many years, Martin, we didn't really have a big name coming out of the German kite scene. I mean, I know there's been lots of German guys that have come and. But not really anyone who's really kicked the door down. And, you know, Germany been the biggest market now. We have Finn and you, you know, who are filling up that space. Do you know Finn very well because he's taken quite a different path into bigger than you. Going through the freestyle route.
- [11:40]
A
Yeah, no, we definitely started to get there like small national freestyle comes actually, so we definitely know each other. We always were on the beach playing kite, Frisbee and everything. And now coming together at the comms again is super, super sick. And I think, yeah, it's. It's mentalist progression. Big air now and yeah, it's. I think it's nice to push together in the German, Yeah. Kiting scene.
- [12:06]
B
Was Finn good back then,
- [12:09]
A
Freestyle? Yes. Big air. He was pretty good, but not. Not as. Not like now. So yeah, now he's definitely pushed where we could, I think. And that definitely gets him so far now.
- [12:24]
B
And how do you keep this momentum from Lords of Tram going? Have you set like a plan for Mykonos? Are you going to go to Mykonos and do some practice there and ride a little bit there before the event?
- [12:37]
A
Yeah, for sure. No, the plan is definitely to, to go train somewhere else after Sardinia. We might go home for a week or something. But then. Yeah, see where it's windy and then get the tricks ready. I think that's the biggest part for me to be able to perform my tricks also in different conditions. So, yeah, I'm definitely planning on going somewhere windy before the comp and then feel ready and let it see.
- [13:01]
B
You're in a very lucky position to, to get to travel around the world with, with the school that you're in. You're in a kite boarding school, World class kiteboarding academy, of course. Where are some of your favorite places to ride? What, what are your sort of favorite locations? If you had to choose three locations that you could ride at all the time, what would they be? Because with the school you're going to, not just windy locations, you're actually going to different types of locations as well.
- [13:23]
A
Yeah, it's. I'm super grateful for this opportunity with the scholarship at the school. I mean we went to, we went to last quarter was Australia, for example. Then last year we went to Cape Town. So I think Cape Town definitely stood out. And yeah, also the nature is awesome, but then a tree feels good. But I think it also helps to see the country around and with all the people. It definitely helps me grow. In other words, besides not only kiting, so. Yeah, no, I think captain for kiting, but also hiking and everything. Very nice there.
- [14:05]
B
Have you been to Mykonos before? Have you ridden there before?
- [14:08]
A
No, not yet. No. I'm definitely keen to try the different kickers and yeah, let's see how the wind is.
- [14:16]
B
I don't know if you can hit kickers there, to be honest, bro, because the wind, you're sort of going across the, across the waves sort of. It's kind of a straight actually to be. It's a really fun spot to write. I, I actually like it. You know, I've been there three or four times and every time I've gone, I've always had a good time there. It's like, it's super fun. So I'll be very, very interested to see how you guys go there. I want to speak about you and Max, you know, I always say that Luca benefited riding with Jason, Andrea and Lorenzo benefit riding together. Go, go through time. Yannick had Mike, you know, Yannick. Then there was Yannick and Heal. I always feel like when you can find someone who pushes you, it really raises the lever. And I, I see that big time with you guys over the last year, especially this last year, I really see that level between you and Max has shot up. Is that fun training and riding and competing against him?
- [15:04]
A
Oh, yeah, it's. I think it helps so much. Like, when I came to the school, I think I couldn't do a board flip and then I saw Max doing all those Moses stuff and then I was like, okay, like, let's go do some bar training. And then now, over the past year, it's been so awesome. Also here at the school, we do, like small little comp practices. So, yeah, with them together, it definitely helps to push. Like, I think we have quite different writing styles, so I can focus on what I can't do as good as he. And he also learned some stuff for me, maybe, and I think that really helps us get better together. And it's definitely a good opportunity at the school year.
- [15:48]
B
I think you have that German approach. Much more focus where Max is a little bit more. Less focused, let's put it that way, in a good way. Max, if you're listening.
- [15:56]
A
Yeah, I think it also, it also helps and depends really on the person, like, what way you. You can get good with. And for him, it might not be kidding us or maybe not analyzing as much. He just does it. And yeah, when it feels right, it's good.
- [16:14]
B
I'm looking forward to this competition between you two. You know, I mean, I know you've had some battles at the high five comp in Australia. You know, I think we're going to see more and more battles. You know, we, you know, I'm not saying you guys are going to be Andre and Lorenzo or maybe, but it's kind of cool that you guys are coming through at the, you know, both young guys wanting to, you know, mates as well. And I think it's the most important as well, you know, to compete against each other. I'm excited to see that. You know, I like the rivalries. I like those little b. Because there's some bragging rights there, right? I mean, you win some, he wins some. It's going to be. It's going to be fun.
- [16:48]
A
Yeah. It's always also just in training session, it's always about pushing each other and then he learns something I want to learn that. I learn something, he wants to learn it. So, yeah, I think we only benefit from it. That's great.
- [17:01]
B
Is there any more younger riders coming out of the world class kiteboarding academy that have the same sort of trajectory as you at the moment?
- [17:11]
A
I wouldn't say as as many tricks, but I think the overall team vibe is super insane. Like all the younger guys also just super keen for kiting. I think it helps everyone to, to get better and yeah, I think we can also learn from younger people here and with other approaches for life and kiting. Also, some teachers are very good at foiling.
- [17:35]
B
So you're gonna do foiling, Big Ear? Is that something you'll get into?
- [17:39]
A
Yeah, no, I, I did a lot of foiling here now actually, and with a new kite from, from F1, it's. It's definitely getting pretty easy, I would say. And I think it's a great opportunity to train a light one too. Like 22 knots and it's good for loops. So. Yeah.
- [17:56]
B
Are you talking about riding the banger?
- [17:57]
A
Yeah.
- [17:58]
B
You like it?
- [17:58]
A
Yeah, it's. It's awesome. I mean, I haven't had that much time on it in, in France, but here in Sardinia now out of 10 and I think it does definitely, yeah, suits Charles perfectly. But also it's a different side of bigger, I would say, than the trigger, which then covers the whole bigger range, I would say, in the F1 range. So it's great to have at least two options.
- [18:26]
B
Now let's talk about F1. You were with Duotone before. How did the F1 deal come about and what made you decide to change
- [18:35]
A
in the end, from the beginning on? The first video calls in late last year, they came to me and like I felt super supported from the beginning on. And now it's actually like I feel trusted in what I do and they believe in me, so that definitely helps me a lot. And also with the whole F1 team, Elliot, Charles, Josh and we all. It's a super nice team. It helps so much to ride together, talk about possibilities in kites and. Yeah, I think it's great. The. I definitely. I'm super happy with the new brand. Yeah.
- [19:13]
B
How did the change go for you? Coming from an Alula based platform to. To Brainchild? Was that a, A learning curve that you had to work on or you picked up the different flying characteristics pretty quickly?
- [19:25]
A
I think I'm quite used to riding different kites or like different types of kites. I started with a wave guide and then swapped to orbit in the Beginning. But now I think it went pretty quickly. And also the kite is an easy kite to handle and I definitely needed not much more time than I guess a month. But it's awesome to also have a different kind of high which then allows you to have some other. It makes other things easier than the Alula maybe. So that, yeah, definitely showed me how. How I can progress in this way too.
- [20:11]
B
Jamie looked like he was getting a lot more height off the flat water with his Alula frame. D Lab. Right. Do you find that, that those kites get. They're better off flat water versus maybe your kite's been better off kickers?
- [20:26]
A
To be honest, I haven't really ridden much kickers in the last months. But for me it's also. I think Jamie's takeoff is a lot better than anyone else's. So I guess that's the main reason. But then, yeah, I mean it also has to suit the rider. So for example, if I get used to the banger or try out a different kite, then just has to fit the rider or Jamie Jeremy gets a lot of height on the nxt. So yeah, I think the combination of rider and kite has to fit and also the board is playing a big role in this instance. So yeah.
- [21:05]
B
Are you going to continue to use the trigger in competition or will you potentially use the banger on twin T? Because the banger has primarily been designed for hydr4. But you're not the only rider who's told me that they like the banger or for a twin tip as well.
- [21:20]
A
Yeah, it's definitely a hard choice now. I mean the Trigon might be better in slightly lighter winds and then the banger and strong wind. I've never been that comfortable in and over 40 knots, so yeah, I'll see. Maybe do a mix of both, but I'll definitely have to test bit more back to back and then see what fits my RIC cell too.
- [21:44]
B
Talk about Red Bull events, because that's the sort of second half the year we've got obviously the Mykonos event come up, which is another GK event. The Red Bull events, I guess definitely have to be a goal for you this year. We've got maybe some qualifiers, but definitely the mega loop, obviously king of the air. Those are your goals. Because when you look at last year there was people in your position who made it. Elliott Batan, he was in your position last year who made that run. Do you have a plan to make it run at that event this year?
- [22:11]
A
I mean, that's the dream, I would say and that's what I ultimately work for. But I think the best is to take it step by step and now Mykonos and then see what other events happen. But yeah, just focus on what I can do now for it and then, yeah, I think there's definitely a chance to make it to the ripple events too.
- [22:37]
B
Will you still ride the full powers and, and those type events, like those sort of second tier events now just to build that competition experience?
- [22:44]
A
Oh, yeah, definitely. That's really what I, what I want to do. I think it's, it's quite beneficial to ride other small competitions. It's definitely, yeah, just good training for yourself and you get much more comfortable in these situations. So, yeah, no full power still for me, a big event.
- [23:04]
B
I like the format of the Red Ball better. I, I don't like sequence riding personally. I mean, I can appreciate sequence riding when it's at smaller spots and you don't have a lot of room. But I like the Red Bull format. I like 12 minutes and it's. And it's go for it. You know, it's. Who can handle the pressure, who can, who can keep the pedal down, who's not afraid to take risks. And I think that's a part of kite boarding that the GKA events don't have because of the sequence. You can get unlucky with that sequence as well. Right. You can be sitting in baras and the wind drops and they're like, right, Martin, you're up and you're. It can be crap, you know.
- [23:35]
A
Yeah, yeah, exactly. It definitely also in. In lots of TR now was, as I said, like much more just kiding in a, like in a training session with all the other guys. So I think in no sequence like in without the heat, just the timed heat. Yeah, yeah, yeah, no, it definitely becomes more of a show and it's also much more thinking in shorter amount of time. So, yeah, I definitely, I would definitely like to try this.
- [24:11]
B
Do you have someone who caddies for you regularly yet or are you just using different people at the moment to caddy for you in the events?
- [24:19]
A
So now I only had a few friends which are always there for me and my family also came with me. But yeah, not, not yet. But there are definitely a few friends which, which would like to do it. But then, yeah, traveling to, to all the places far away. Certainly challenge.
- [24:38]
B
Yeah, because it's interesting. I, I see more and more people riding with the bb, talking or riding with the head, the headgear and the headphones. And I don't necessarily Know if it makes such a difference when you're in time positions because you have, you know, 10 minutes between each trick when you can go and talk to someone. But I think in like, events like Red Bull K, where it's just go, go, go, and you can just have someone talking to you in your ear, I think I, I do think. I don't, I don't know if we're seeing the full benefit of that technology yet, but it seems to work for the Casadis and I think, I think we'll see more people dip into that as these Red Bull events come closer. Just having a better communication. I saw Baby Shark telling me the other day, he doesn't like, he just wants to feel the wind. He doesn't want to hear people talking. But yeah, I, I think we might see more of that communication in the events coming up.
- [25:26]
A
Yeah, I think so too. Like, for me, it's definitely nice to know what scores I have. Now with the watch, it definitely helped in the first seat, but then in the second one there was, I think one big crash from Cohen with a double loop and then the watch always turns off when it goes underwater, I think. So then you can't see the scores anymore.
- [25:50]
B
How was that when you couldn't see the scores? Was that frustrating or you were just too focused and you were focused on what you had to do do?
- [25:59]
A
I mean, it probably would have helped to, to know I'm not that far off. Like I thought I'm quite far behind, but actually wasn't too, too far away. But then also the wind dropped and that's same for everyone. But yeah, I think it helps to, to know what tricks, what tricks I can improve.
- [26:21]
B
When you went back and re. Watched your heats, did you see things you can improve on? Did you see things where you can maybe pick up more points?
- [26:31]
A
Yeah, for sure. I mean, basically everything I want to work on my. I want to work on a height kite angle and then also all the technical stuff can still be more technical. So, yeah.
- [26:48]
B
How awesome was that to watch that final and then see jamie smash that 10 out of 10.
- [26:52]
A
It was crazy. I know. It was so much fun to watch. Like, that's what I've always, like I'm also a kite fan. I would say, like always watching the biggest seats is always what I dreamed of and then in life it's like even more crazy. And yeah, that's been insane.
- [27:10]
B
Had you met Jamie before? Because he's not a guy who hangs around a lot of kite locations. Right. He sort of does things his own way. Was that the first time you had an opportunity to meet with him and ride with him? Because he spoke really highly of you two. He said that he spoke to you and Max and he was very impressed with. With both of you.
- [27:28]
A
Yeah. I've never met him before. I think we. We actually live quite close together in the like, it's not far off from the Netherlands, my island. She. He should definitely come train at my spot. And then now we definitely talked a lot about like his. His riding or his technique. I like, like how everything works behind like the. Behind the tricks and he's. Yeah, I mean he definitely has his own approach which then works best for him. And yeah, I definitely think I can learn a lot from. From those guys and it's been awesome chatting with him.
- [28:07]
B
Do you use foil kites in training as well?
- [28:10]
A
I mean, I've tried it. I think it definitely helps in. In very light winds when you don't have a foil. And for board flips, of course. I think also when there's no wind off the water bar, training helps a lot. Like hang on a tree and then you can train all the flips. For me, it's always been like old school is more like a preparation for Big Air. Like I. I do my old school tricks to then transfer them to Big Air. So, yeah, I think it works pretty well without one too, but I'll try it for sure.
- [28:45]
B
So you reckon it's hydro foiling over foil kites for you?
- [28:48]
A
Yeah, it's definitely. I mean it's definitely two. Two options like foiling. You can't do as many board flips or you can't do tic tacs, everything. But then for the kite steering, like the loop timings and everything definitely helps a lot with the foil. Also landings here, you have to be so precise on the fall. Like every rotation has to be perfectly timed and then for sure on the flip side, I have to. Yeah. Use my 12 trigger or. Yeah, let's see.
- [29:22]
B
What did you think when you saw Finn go out in that final with the Sonic? Honestly, that first tricky, he crashed it, but I think that would have probably been a nine. It was huge.
- [29:31]
A
Yeah, it was. No, I think I was quite convinced that it's going to be the. The right choice. And he definitely has an advantage of the others with the folk, which, yeah, might be a thing to think about. Like if all the guys start to ride without a brands and then yeah, can all choose what they. What they want to ride. I think it might be useful to. To try 4K2 but. Or the GK says we don't want fall kites, but Corey won't have.
- [30:07]
B
Did they actually say that to you, we don't want fall kites?
- [30:10]
A
No, not really.
- [30:12]
B
But you got that feeling.
- [30:13]
A
It's quite a big difference in kiting. I would say it almost feels like paragliding when you're in a fall card, so.
- [30:19]
B
Because there is a real interesting line because of what happened with Luca and King of the Air against Heel. When I think about people who ride foil kites, there's. There's Hugo, Luca, Finn. Those are the main ones that I know in Big Ear that. That. That can legitimately compete, let's say, who can compete on it. I get the feeling that the organizers don't want them. They don't like the optics. They don't. They don't like the way it looks. And then the other riders who don't ride them also don't like the way they're getting scored. Does that make sense?
- [30:51]
A
Yeah, I mean, for sure, it's. It's a different type of. Of looping too. But then the second lift is immense
- [30:59]
B
and it's a scary loop, by the way. That thing. Scary to loop.
- [31:05]
A
Yeah, I think so too. Yeah, it's probably like the. The loop itself gives you more slack, but then the second lift is way better. So. Yeah, but it's. It's same with Charles. Like, I think he should have been in lots of tram now, but based off of foil, he wasn't allowed. So, yeah, it's those two things which. Which now are debatable. But, yeah, let's see.
- [31:29]
B
He'll be in King of the Year again. He'll be back in the. The thing is, with King of the Air, man, that's like with 18 guys, you put in Charles because, you know, he deserves to be there, let's be honest. And they like to put on a show that only leaves 17 spots left. You know, it when you. As soon as you give one spot to someone else, it gets smaller and smaller because the 24 man fleets are GKA. You know, always said it's great because it gives opportunity for, you know, people like yourself to. To get a. Get a chance. But then once you're in, man, it gets. Every event through the rest of the year gets smaller and smaller and smaller and smaller and smaller till, like, at the end, it's, like, difficult to make, you know?
- [32:03]
A
Yeah, it's. It's so true. I think I've seen Charles train in. In Barcrest, and he was out in like 60 knots and foil and 7. Everyone else was like, it's unrideable. So he definitely deserves to. To be in the same events. Just, it's hard for him because no one else is as good in foiling, I guess, in strongman. So. Yeah.
- [32:27]
B
But I would like to see him go back to the Hydrofoil Big Air World Championship because you've got Lorenzo and Leo and Hugo and Finn and there's so many good riders for it. You know, I. I'm kind of excited to see. I. I mean, I've just been looking on Instagram, I see Josh, your teammate, riding foil kites, you know, and. And looking at it. So I think there's some legs in that event too. I don't like them going out in seven knots. You know, it's like, when it's like that tight, you know, 15 to 20 knots or something like that, I think would be sick. I think you could have an amazing big air hydrofoil event and in 20 knots, you know.
- [33:02]
A
Yeah. I think that's also why Charles prefers the. The strong wind, because he's just. Yeah, the best in strong winds. He's. He goes like 10 meters higher than the rest of the. And then in the live wind, he probably doesn't train as much or. But I would definitely also like to get into more foil events and see how that goes.
- [33:24]
B
Do you feel with F1 that, you know, you have more access to talk to the team? Because, you know, when you're in a big team like Duotone, you know, Andrea and these guys, they seem so far away from where you are. Right. I know if you're doing young bloods and stuff, they might bring in Liam or that to do some coaching, but, you know, I find F1 is a lot more sort of family close knit. You know, a lot more communication lines are open. You know, you can pick up the phone and talk to Charles or, you know, reach out to these guys. Are you enjoying that as well?
- [33:52]
A
Yeah, that's been like a dream come true for me, like talking to the whole team, but also the guys in the design definitely helps me to see new things and maybe give my input to them or my ideas. So. Yeah,
- [34:14]
B
you'd like to do that to give some feedback for designers and for. For the team and the company.
- [34:21]
A
Yeah, for sure. Now that's. It's been like big factor always in kiting. I think the gear has to work for yourself and then, yeah, if you see something which you can improve, like, for me, it's always been hard to. I can tell what I feel, but it's hard to, to know already what to change on the kite. Like the bridle and everything is quite complex. But I definitely, yeah, I want to learn more like how that all works.
- [34:47]
B
It's been super great having you on and you know, I have a lot of friends in Australia and you know when you were down there in the Australian nationals and you and Martin were putting on a show, I had so many people reach out to me and just said. And they were like, mate, their writing's amazing. But the one guy said it to me best, he said, actually who they are as people is even better than their riders. And I think that was really cool to hear because it's a big difference in this industry if you can make impact on people's lives like that as well. Like, they were, they were just so impressed as you two as people, obviously as you as writers. But they were really impressed with the way you guys handled. And I think that comes from the world class kiteboarding academy and, and the team there, they don't let you muck around. They, you know, they keep you on. I mean, you even had to ask to come on this podcast on the weekend that dash for time. I mean, that's crazy. What is this, prison? No, I'm just joking.
- [35:34]
A
No, for sure. No, we, we have like a transition day today. We were moving out of a recommendation then it's like so packed with the 20 other students and then. Yeah, no, it's. But it's. I think that's also something which can be annoying sometimes. You know, in Australia there are frogs under my bed or something when I'm like, okay, and then the six other guys sleeping with me. But then that's also good. The good thing, like you can learn so much from them. It's just always funnier for them. Yeah.
- [36:07]
B
What's that part of Australia like to ride? I mean, I know a lot of people back in the day, they, they know the pond and you know, that was sort of a legendary freestyle spot back in the day. You guys have been going to Western Australia for a few years. Is it a great spot to go and train it? Would you recommend it for people to who are looking for a kite boarding holiday to go down there and check it out?
- [36:26]
A
Yeah, honestly, I was like not too convinced about the spot choice in the beginning, but then the one spot in the beginning, I don't know what, what it's called, but it was quite strong actually. Like we had some days over 40 knots the first three weeks, and then the second spot was safety Bay. So. Yeah, super lofty wind and yeah very nice to to work on some old
- [36:51]
B
school and yeah, well look Martin, good luck for the rest of the year buddy. Good luck in Mykonos mate. Just keep doing what you're doing mate, because it was an absolutely unbelievable performance. I I was so happy for you guys. Just the way you guys held yourself, the wins you had was super awesome to to sit back and watch man. And hey dude, thanks again for your time and good luck for the rest of the year.
- [37:12]
A
Thank you so much. See you soon.
- [37:14]
B
Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed that episode. Don't forget, if you want to support the show, the easiest way is to do it for free. Rate me on. I'm loving those five star reviews. Share them in your local WhatsApp or Kite 7 groups or just simply tell your mates. If you want to support us more regularly, head over to portraitkite.com what is portrait? Portrait is an independent media company trying to tell the stories of kiteboarding the way we believe they should. These projects are funded by people just like you. And if you believe what we do and you want to support us more, head over to portraitkite.com Road to Pro Japan is out now. We've had two episodes. Episode three is out this week. If you haven't checked out that series, definitely check it out. It's one of the all time classics. And guys, by the way, the podcast will always be free, so you don't need to worry about that. If you want to find more episodes just like this one, use the search button@kaitsev365.com to search your favorite writer or topic. And we'll be back this Thursday for the Megapod.