Kitesurf365: The Megapod – “Merry Christmas!!!” (December 18, 2025)

Episode Overview

This festive, free-wheeling Megapod finds hosts Adrian Kerr and Ben—joined for a key segment by pro rider Jason Van der Spee—chatting about Christmas traditions, kiteboarding gossip, gear, and the big stories from the kiteboarding scene in 2025. Half holiday banter and half genuine industry insights, the conversation ranges from future projects and competitions to the health of major brands and memorable moments of the year.

Christmas Traditions and Festive Antics

• Adrian and Ben start with bemused chatter about the holidays:
  • Adrian deals with a mischievous cat wreaking havoc on his Christmas tree.
  • Ben admits his family skips traditional gifts, opting instead for fine meals and a football match on the village green, “the north side vs. the south side.” (03:29)
    • “Every year there’s a small gaggle of people that think maybe this year we’re not doing it. And that gets shut down quite quickly.” – Ben (04:30)
  • Adrian prefers warm, sunny Christmases spent at the beach in Thailand.
    • “I like to be warm. So much more fun.” – Adrian (05:54)
• Christmas at Jason Van der Spee’s is apparently laidback:
  • “We’re gonna have a morning with the elderly people, celebrate some lovely things, open a couple presents, and then as the day continues, probably just resume life as normal… It doesn’t really have the feel to it, you know.” – Jason (18:22)

Opening the Mailbag and Listener Feedback

• Reflections on how feedback is (or isn’t) used:
  • Adrian jokes about storing positive feedback to show Ben when he’s feeling down (06:09)
  • Ben: “Both the negative and the positive are often written by people who don’t really know what they’re talking about.” (07:15)
  • Feedback that’s actually useful comes from customer service or creative suggestions, like fans pitching themselves as the next project star (07:36–09:30).

Road to Pro: Japan 2026 Announcement (Major Segment)

• The team confirms another installment of the fan-favorite "Road to Pro" series, set for February 2026 in Japan, at Jetta Kawano’s Sandy Feet kite school. (10:26, 11:14)
  • "We're going to Japan. We're going to go and visit Jetta Kawano at his little school, Sandy Feet. You should all...just go and look at the stuff that Jetta makes to promote his school. It is the most wholesome, nicest, most pure thing you'll ever see." — Ben (10:37–11:14)
  • They encourage listeners to boost Sandy Feet’s Google reviews as a show of support, but only if they're funny and five-star:
    • “We're not reading them out unless they're five star...Any, anything less and we won't read it out. And actually, we will send you bad vibes.” — Ben (11:51–11:57)
• Jason Van der Spee joins live from South Africa, recovering from a burst eardrum but ready for the Japan trip (14:04–14:55).
  • “The ear is not well, to be honest…But it’s on the mend. It’s not painful anymore. So I think you're gonna be okay for February?” – Ben
  • “No, I’ll be fine for Feb. I’m already kiting now…The doctor says it could take three to eight weeks. So I kind of took his word on it and I kind of stuck to about a week and a half. It's good enough.”—Jason (14:29–14:55)
• The trio (Jason Van der Spee, Steezy Pete, and Jetta Kawano) will produce “the greatest kiteboarding video ever made.” (13:03–13:15)
  • “Do you think you’re up to it?” – Ben
  • “I mean, yeah, that goes in a sentence together. I mean, I’m...I’m really...I’m down for it. How bad could it be?” – Jason (16:03–16:16)
• The group organizes gear donations for Sandy Feet school (17:07–17:53).

Industry Insights & Kiteboarding News

Major Brand Discussion: Cabrinha and Industry Trends

• Ongoing rumors about riders leaving Cabrinha, but Ben argues that brand loyalty and the tribal nature of kiteboarding keep companies afloat:
  • “That’s not how the kiteboarding industry works, Adrian. ... People really love kiteboarding. It’s part of their identity and their souls. And I think the people behind Cabrinha love kiteboarding and want to make it work.” – Ben (25:33, 25:49)
• Cabrinha Switchblades and Motos’ legacy as ubiquitous, affordable kites.
• Humorous story about a listener buying two brand new Cabrinhas for £900. (26:41–27:48)
• “Do I hope Cabrina disappears? Absolutely not. I hope that one stays. Do I think in general it’d be good for the kiteboarding industry if some of the brands disappeared? Yeah, I do.” – Ben (28:58)

Retail and Innovation

• Praise for Kite Mana’s entrepreneurial success and employee perks.
• The growing influence of new player Gong, but awaiting a big-name signing:
  • “To get to that next level, they need to have a big name in competition with those kites performing.” – Adrian (45:03)
• Adrian shares dilemma about handling double-skin kites in extreme wind (46:00–47:07).

2025: Biggest Stories in Kiteboarding

A highlight segment with detailed discussion—perfect for those wanting a year-in-review snapshot:

1. Jamie Overbeek’s Turbulent Year (31:26–33:13)

• Left F-One for a mixed gear approach, was controversially denied a King of the Air slot, and became the sport’s biggest talking point:
  • “The Jamie Overbeak journey…probably the biggest story of this year, the most compelling.” – Ben (31:29)
  • “Every single person I speak to, the first thing they ask about King of the Air. I can't believe Jamie didn’t make it.”—Adrian (33:13)

2. Graham Helzer’s Passing

• The immense impact of industry loss and community response (33:22).

3. The Race to 40 Meters

• “A lot of fun…people kind of like that chaotic, on-the-ground style. I think that’s something we’ll bring in [again].” – Adrian (34:41–34:53)

4. King of the Air: Qualifiers Controversy (38:13–40:00)

• Public confusion and rider frustration over unfair or opaque qualifying rules.
• Events like Cold Hawaii lose prestige as “qualifiers.”

5. Women’s Progression

• Maiden women's Mega Loop competition; Zara Huggenrod wins. Calls for expanded women’s event fields:
  • “The competition hardness of the woman is impressing me... From 6 to 10, we’re getting lighter in ability…I’d like to see them extend that.” – Adrian (38:13–39:53)

6. Liam Whaley’s Comeback

• Returns at Lords of Tram, possibly his last pro event:
  • “We’re probably seeing the end of Liam, but...if we did see him come back from his injury to do one event, I think that’s probably what he wanted to do.” – Adrian (41:26)

7. Aaron Hadlow’s “Blank Kite Test” Series

• A personal highlight for Ben, blending tech reviews with sessions in the UK and Brazil. (41:50–43:05)

8. Creative Projects and Team Bonding

• From the Queen’s Parade London bus tour (payout for a friendly bet) to anticipation about Japan plans and live events.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “If you’re good at football, I will try to recruit you to our side. If you’re not, I will try to keep you as far away as possible.” – Ben on family Christmas football (04:05)
• “Both the negative and the positive [comments] are often written by people who don’t really know what they’re talking about.” – Ben (07:15)
• “He just trusted that [Jason] would be good. I gave him woefully small amounts of direction…” – Ben (20:06)
• “We should also ask Brunotti if we can help Jetta with wetsuits and harnesses…” – Ben (17:39)
• “Do I hope Cabrina disappears? Absolutely not. I hope that one stays.” – Ben (28:58)
• “The Jamie Overbeak journey…probably the biggest story of this year, the most compelling.” – Ben (31:29)
• “I just don’t understand how these guys are so comfortable at that height.” – Adrian on the 40m jumps (35:08)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00–06:00 – Festive catch-up and Christmas traditions
• 06:00–10:00 – Feedback, fan engagement, Road to Pro interest
• 10:00–18:00 – Japan trip preview, Sandy Feet promo, call with Jason Van der Spee
• 21:10–26:00 – Prize winner antics, Cabrinha and gear chat, industry loyalty
• 28:00–34:30 – Year’s biggest stories: Jamie Overbeek, tragic loss, Race to 40
• 35:00–40:00 – Women’s progression, King of the Air qualifiers debate
• 41:26–43:00 – Liam Whaley, Hadlow’s Blank Kite Test, creative projects
• 44:30–45:47 – New brands: Gong and the search for star power

Tone and Style

As always, Ben and Adrian maintain a playful, irreverent tone but pivot easily to sincerity when discussing the sport’s most emotional stories. Industry gossip is mixed with sharp, informed takes and classic self-deprecation. Jason Van der Spee’s cameo injects even more laid-back, quick-witted banter.

Final Thoughts

The episode delivers exactly what Megapod fans expect: kiteboarding news laced with good humor, personality-driven stories, and a hint of holiday chaos. Highlights include insights on industry dynamics, a sneak peek at upcoming projects, and a genuine sense of community both on and off the water.

For more, follow Kitesurf365 and tune in for their next Instagram Live on Christmas Day!