Kitesurf365 Podcast: Nathalie Lambrecht | Episode #414

Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Adrian Kerr
Guest: Nathalie Lambrecht, 2025 Red Bull King of the Air (Women's Winner)

Episode Overview

This episode of Kitesurf365 celebrates Nathalie Lambrecht’s breakthrough as the women's division winner at the renowned Red Bull King of the Air event. Adrian and Nathalie reflect on her journey from near misses and injuries to standing atop the podium, exploring the evolution of her career, her mindset, training adjustments, the challenges facing women in kiteboarding, and the role of supportive relationships and community in her journey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Winning King of the Air: "Queen of the Air"

• Opening sentiments: Adrian congratulates Nathalie and discusses the terminology: "King of the Air" vs. "Queen of the Air" (01:48).
  • “I don’t like to say the King of the Air female division. I want to say Queen of the Year.” – Adrian Kerr (01:48)
  • “I would love to call it Queen of the Air... Every time someone says it, I have like a tiny little smile and a warm feeling in my belly.” – Nathalie Lambrecht (01:57)

2. Nathalie’s Path: Frustration, Acceptance, and Triumph

• Progression and overcoming frustration: She describes wrestling with the possibility of never securing a major win and learning to value growth as a person over achievements as an athlete.
  • “I was wondering maybe I'll end my career and never have like a big win and like to also be like satisfied with what I have done. And really work on Natalie as a person more than Natalie as an athlete.” (02:24)
• Satisfaction: The final, where she landed 10 out of 10 tricks, was pivotal:
  • “It was the best 15 minutes of big air kiteboarding of my life.” (02:51)
• In-the-moment focus: Nathalie recounts being unaware of her competitors during the final, completely focused on her own run and strategy (03:53–04:43).

3. Competition Mindset & Emotional Growth

• Heat management and nerves: Discusses feeling time slow down in the final, turning what’s usually an anxious experience into a positive, controlled one.
  • “No, it’s the best feeling... It feels like you have the time and you don’t feel as stressed.” (05:01)
• Emotional maturity: She details channeling excitement productively after her first heat to maintain focus for the final.
  • “I felt like I’m not done yet. And that’s why I wanted to cool down the emotions because I wanted to be... laser-focused for the final.” (10:52)

4. Competition Structure Challenges

• Critical look at event format: Nathalie discusses the pressure of a cutthroat format for women, where a single poor heat can eliminate a competitor quickly (12:14).
  • “That first heat is so intimidating because it’s like, if you get third, you’re out. And I was that last year... I got to compete like 13 minutes or what it was last year. And then that’s the end of your journey.” (12:14)

5. Transition from Freestyle to Big Air

• Why Big Air feels right:
  • “Big Air was molded more towards me... it felt like I just fit in there so well with my riding style and I enjoyed it so much and the community.” (08:01)
• Difficult transition: Injuries, the rapid progression of Big Air, and missed events nudged her to pivot from a mixed freestyle/Big Air competition schedule into Big Air full-time (08:55–10:19).

6. Teamwork and Support Network

• Coaching and support: Bringing in Michael as a coach added strategic and technical insights; her sister and family remain core to her support network.
  • “He could give me something on the table that I really didn't have before... When I’m in the heat... it just takes me out of my head that I don’t have to think about all the strategy or which trick should I go for.” (13:14)
• On the beach vs. radio coaching: Prefers face-to-face feedback over radios during heats, finds it less distracting and more grounding (14:53).

7. Encouraging Young Women in Big Air

• Opportunities and advice:
  • “There’s this girl called Aya Kasibova. She’s super young and charging... My advice to the young girls is just, I think you need to work on your unique style and what you do to, like, stick out and then portray that.” (15:41)
  • “Doing something that’s different in the sport is what’s going to push you forward.” (15:54)
• Barriers: Sponsorship and support remain limited for women, despite equal exposure at top events; Nathalie calls for brands to step up investment.

8. Technical Talk: Basics, Tricks, and Style

• Fundamental skills: Returns to basics like straight jumps and takeoffs are key even for elite riders (18:14).
  • “If your basics are good, then the rest will follow.” (17:34)
• Signature moves: Early kite loops are now a deliberate strategic move, as they score highly in comps (18:58):
  • “I know how to loop later now, but I see that it scores well in comps, so then I keep doing it.” (18:58)

9. Injury Management and Wellness

• Physical and mental prep: Nathalie credits her sponsor Goat Sports for providing structured programs and rapid recovery support (19:39).
  • “I have an app where I get daily programs of mobility to strength to all these little things... it made such a huge difference in my recovery process.” (19:39)

10. Home, Community, and Post-Victory Life

• Makani and Egypt: Childhood training grounds, now more rarely visited due to the demands of Big Air comps (21:20–22:18).
• Celebrations: Family and local kiters celebrated her win at Makani back home (21:07).
• Post-win schedule: Contrary to her hopes of a break, life’s gotten busier after the win with shoots and obligations—though she’s motivated to keep training (22:38).
  • “Apparently when you win an event, your life gets pretty busy... But I really want to train, so I’m not... The fire is lit and I’m ready to have a really good season...” (22:38)

11. Looking Forward

• Upcoming events: Next competition possibly Lords of Tram or a new potential event in Mykonos (23:17–23:30).
• 2026 goals:
  • “I want to push my level as far as it can go and that’s the biggest goal of all. Just see how far I can take it.” (24:06)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On her mindset after the win:
  • “I’m so grateful to have lived that moment and proved to myself, even during all that pressure, that you can really enjoy yourself out there.” – Nathalie (07:07)
• On emotional control:
  • “I wanted to cool down the emotions because I wanted to be laser-focused for the final.” – Nathalie (10:52)
• Advice to young riders:
  • “Doing something that’s different in the sport is what’s going to push you forward... Work on your unique style and what you do to stick out.” – Nathalie (15:54)
• On basics in training:
  • “If your basics are good, then the rest will follow.” – Nathalie (17:34)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:48] – Discussion of "Queen of the Air" terminology
• [02:24] – Processing frustration and athlete identity
• [04:43] – Experience and strategy during the final
• [08:01] – Transitioning from freestyle to Big Air
• [10:52] – Emotional control and competition mindset
• [12:14] – Event structure challenges for women
• [13:14] – Value of team, coaching, and support networks
• [15:41] – Advice for the next generation of female riders
• [17:34] – Importance of mastering the basics
• [19:39] – Injury management and preparation
• [22:38] – Balancing post-victory responsibilities and future goals
• [24:06] – Goals for 2026 and personal growth

Tone & Atmosphere

Nathalie is candid, warm, and self-reflective—toggling between technical explanations, personal admissions, and genuine gratitude for her journey. Adrian keeps the mood celebratory and close-knit, often referencing their shared history and admiration for her resilience.

Summary

This episode is an inspiring, detailed portrait of Nathalie Lambrecht—now the Queen of the Air—whose journey from freestyle to Big Air kiteboarding, and from injuries to victory, is driven by a focus on personal growth, unwavering support from her inner circle, and a love for competition. Lambrecht challenges industry norms, urges more support for women, and reminds listeners that mastering the basics and staying true to your own style is the key to progress. The conversation offers practical advice, technical insights, and glimpses into the emotional highs and lows of elite competition.