Steezy Pete Returns | Road To Pro | The Megapod

Summary

Kitesurf365 – The Megapod

Episode: Steezy Pete Returns | Road To Pro | The Megapod

Date: May 7, 2026
Host: Adrian Kerr
Guests/Co-Hosts: Colin Colin Carroll, Steezy Pete

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Overview

This episode of The Megapod dives deep into the making of the “Road To Pro Japan” mockumentary, now streaming on Portrait. Adrian and Colin reconnect with Steezy Pete, one of the show’s stars, to discuss behind-the-scenes stories, improvisation, and the show's unique comedic chemistry. The Megapod’s signature banter is on full display while also touching on wider kiteboarding news, the GKA tour, youth event changes, and the quirks of kite culture.

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1. The “Road To Pro” Mockumentary – Origins & Improvisation

Main Discussion ([00:00] - [05:44]):

• Scripted or Not?
  Is “Road To Pro” really scripted? Adrian addresses listener inquiries:

  "I was like, mate, scripted? You got to be shitting me, mate. Jetto can barely find the airport, let alone read a script." – Adrian ([00:58])

• Natural Chaos and Improvised Comedy:
  The comedic success relies on each cast member’s strengths:
  • Pete’s method acting under pressure and jet lag.
  • Jason’s adaptability.
  • Jetto as the “rusty anchor” and agent of chaos, who’s authentic simply by being himself, often falling over unintentionally.

  "Jetto works because he just falls over a lot. That's his... Not even on purpose." – Colin ([02:35])

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2. Behind the Scenes: Reluctant Heroes and Moral Dilemmas

Recording Process & Filming Ethics ([05:09] - [06:54]):

• Mockumentary Vibe:
  Pete describes the challenge and fun in playing a caricature of himself, creating spontaneous, absurd moments.
• Beach Cleanup Scene:
  Real-life irony strikes as the crew films a scene dumping rubbish on the beach—while volunteers are actually doing a beach clean nearby, leading to awkwardness and reflection about bending morality for comedy.

  "I was dying inside for the entirety of that. But I think it's pretty funny on camera." – Pete ([05:44]) "They're lucky they didn't see Jason Venus Bay just continually tipping the rubbish onto the beach." – Adrian ([06:15])

• Going the Extra Mile:
  Pete and Jetto genuinely clean up more than they stage for the film.

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3. Navigating On-Camera Identity

Watching Yourself & Family Feedback ([06:57] - [09:12]):

• Pete discusses overcoming the cringe of watching himself on camera. Playing an exaggerated version of himself helps distance real-life embarrassment.

  “At least, I'm very much playing a caricature of myself to some extent... I can pretend to myself that that's not just me being me, which kind of is for quite a lot of it.” – Pete ([07:30])

• Family Input:
  Supportive, but his parents wanted him to “swear less” this season. Both Pete and Adrian agree that “judicious, not flippant” cursing is best for comedic delivery.

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4. Comparing Shoots: Pressure vs. Play

Shooting “Road To Pro” vs. “Road to Megaloop” ([09:21] - [10:17]):

• “Road To Pro” is far more fun and relaxed than the high-pressure, skill-intensive Megaloop shoot.

  "The only thing that matters is that we do stupid things, which is a lot easier than trying to do something difficult like a Megaloop." – Pete ([09:44])

• The on-screen banter and chemistry reflect genuine enjoyment, with even more off-camera hilarity not captured.

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5. Comedic Chemistry and Growth

Team Dynamic & Character Development ([10:26] - [12:14]):

• Pete, Jason, and Jetto have developed a strong three-way on-screen dynamic.
• Jason especially gets props for his willingness to be the butt of jokes—a rarity for pro riders.

  “I can't think of anyone else who would do that. And very, very special guy. Jason Van Der Spee really is.” – Pete ([11:34])

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6. Creative Evolution and Notable Scenes

Improvisation & “Fourth Wall” Moments ([12:14] - [12:59]):

• Direction and improvisational collaboration are at the heart of standout comedy bits, like the “helicopter mirror” scene.
• Ben and Adrian often suggest new scenarios or lines, leading to comedic gold.

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7. Filming in Ishigaki & Osaka: Travelogue

Cultural & Kiteboarding Insights ([13:58] - [18:50]):

• Ishigaki:
  • Praised for its peacefulness, beautiful empty beaches, and amazing (if shallow and potentially injury-prone) kite spots.
  • Weather ranged from balmy “spring” days to cold snaps.

  “If you want a mellow time and incredible scenery, then Ishigaki is definitely the place to go.” – Pete ([14:10])

  • Challenging for big air but great for freestyle, albeit at the price of battered gear.
• Osaka:
  • Pete’s favorite city in Japan: vibrant, chaotic, and reminiscent of popular images of Japanese city life.

  “It felt like a proper... Japan you imagine. I think Osaka just, you know, crazy lights, crazy shops, people everywhere, nutty trains.” – Pete ([18:23])

  • Complex train system sparks much comedic confusion.

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8. The Mockumentary’s Star: Pete’s Growth

Emergence as the Show’s Lead ([25:27] - [25:58]):

• Adrian credits Pete with evolving into the central figure, surpassing even “the goat” Jason in terms of role.

  “You look a real natural in front of the cameras... you’ve become the star. I feel like you've surpassed Jason. I think if the last one was Jason was the lead. I feel like you're the lead now and Jason's a sidekick.” – Adrian ([25:27])

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9. Future Visions: What’s Next for “Road To Pro”?

Concepts & Creative Wishes ([22:02] - [24:03]):

• Pete’s ideas for future mockumentary seasons:
  • UK-based “Road To Pro,” despite unreliable wind.
  • A freestyle-focused version (though concerned it might just highlight their ineptitude).
  • A kite adventure/road trip, traveling between spots.

  "I mean, honestly, I do anything there. It's just great fun being on camera." – Pete ([23:34])

• Adrian notes that more actual kiteboarding footage would be nice, as weather limited action in Japan.

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10. GKA & Kiteboarding Industry Updates

Event News & Industry Concerns ([26:20] - [29:47]):

• GKA Mexico Freestyle:
  Discussion of location, expected conditions, and competitors.

  • Finn Flugel and Davi Ribeira tipped as possible frontrunners.
  • Brazilian riders’ restricted participation due to costs.

  “It’s interesting how freestyle is sort of the reverse of Big Earth, like where it’s more dominated by an older crowd, where big air is more dominated by younger crowd.” – Adrian ([27:17])

• Youth Event Cuts:
  GKA sharply reduces youth events (from two to one), cutting Big Air and Strapless, leaving only freestyle for U14/U16/U19. Both hosts lament the negative impact on grassroots development.

  “I believe you should be looking at grassroots and, and sowing more seed and investing in the youth. That's I believe that's the strength of every sport.” – Adrian ([28:41]) “My thoughts are they've spent all the money on Winging.” – Colin ([28:41])

• Prize Money:
  The GKA event in Myos boasts the year’s biggest purse: $30k, with new sponsors onboard.

  “I'm always for more money in the sport. And 30k I think is... sounds like a decent prize money for class.” – Adrian ([29:15])

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11. Humorous Tangents & Classic Megapod Banter

Notable Moments:

• Morph Suits & Waterboarding:
  Pete and Jason’s suffering for comedy with green screen suits.

  “The water. It's like being waterboarded full time.” – Adrian ([20:40])

• AI-Generated Promo Images:
  Amusement over AI artifacts in anime-inspired thumbnails: missing heads, helmets in hand and on head, mutant kites.
• Physical Comedy & Self-Deprecation:
  Lighthearted talk about aging, facial changes, and harness sizes.

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12. Memorable Quotes

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 00:58 | Adrian | "Scripted? You got to be shitting me, mate. Jetto can barely find the airport, let alone read a script." | | 05:44 | Pete | "I was dying inside for the entirety of that. But I think it's pretty funny on camera." | | 09:44 | Pete | "The only thing that matters is that we do stupid things, which is a lot easier than trying to do something difficult like a Megaloop." | | 11:34 | Pete | "I can't think of anyone else who would do that. And very, very special guy. Jason Van Der Spee really is." | | 14:10 | Pete | "If you want a mellow time and incredible scenery, then Ishigaki is definitely the place to go." | | 28:41 | Adrian | "I believe you should be looking at grassroots and, and sowing more seed and investing in the youth. That's I believe that's the strength of every sport." | | 28:41 | Colin | "My thoughts are they've spent all the money on Winging." | | 29:15 | Adrian | "I'm always for more money in the sport. And 30k I think is... sounds like a decent prize money for class." |

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13. Key Timestamps

• 00:00–05:44: Opening banter, is Road to Pro scripted, casting and improvisation methods.
• 05:44–08:20: “Beach rubbish” scene and moral complications; spontaneity.
• 09:21–10:17: Comparing Megaloop to Road To Pro shooting experiences.
• 13:58–14:10: Ishigaki adventures, spot commentary, and local culture.
• 18:00–18:50: Osaka stories, train system chaos.
• 22:02–24:03: Pete’s creative visions for future seasons.
• 26:20–27:17: GKA Mexico event preview.
• 28:41–29:15: Youth event reductions; prize money.
• 20:35–21:10: Suffering in morph suits and AI-generated poster mishaps.

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14. Conclusion

This Megapod episode offers fans hilarious behind-the-scenes tales from the making of “Road To Pro Japan,” alongside sharp, self-aware wit and real concerns for the future of kiteboarding’s grassroots. The dynamic between Adrian, Colin, and Pete embodies the heart of the mockumentary and the podcast: irreverent, enthusiastic, and always ready to find comedy in chaos.

For listeners who missed the episode, this summary captures the best of the unscripted charm, industry insight, and comedic camaraderie that make both “Road To Pro” and The Megapod essential for kiteboarding fans.

Transcript

[Adrian]

On this episode of the Megapod, we catch up with Steezy Pete, who is one of the stars of Road to Pro Japan, which is now streaming on Portrait. We also hear some latest updates from the gk, of course, some positive and one negative. Roll the intro. Catastrophic equipment failure.

[Pete]

Going for the Boogaloo double just to get the landing. Had a couple of strings and it was extremely dangerous. Guys, I sent the trap and it

[Adrian]

is gold for Ellie Aldridge and for Great Britain.

[Colin]

I feel bad because I've kept Adrian waiting 43 minutes this morning, and his parents are coming to visit in Thailand at the moment. Where are they right now? Are they in a car?

[Adrian]

They're downstairs with the car running, waiting. No, no, no, no. Not that bad, no. They're just. They're downstairs waiting, but that's all good, man. Where, you know, the Megapod dust must move on. Just got off a call with Steezy Pete, which you're gonna. You're gonna hear in a little bit.

[Colin]

How was he?

[Adrian]

He's awesome. The funny thing I asked him, because people have been messaging me saying, is Road to Pro scripted? I was like, mate, scripted? You got to be shitting me, mate. Jetto can barely find the airport, let alone read a script. It'd be impossible. We had a good laugh. He was good, mate. You know, he's Pete, right? He's a natural person. On camera, he is Pete. Although Pete's playing a character. It's literally Pete, actually. He says. He said, I'm playing a character, but deep down, I think. But you actually, this is you just with.

[Colin]

Well, no, it all changed when we. When we put that Red Bull hat on his head, which, by the way, he had no warning of. I don't know if I've said it on this podcast before, but. So we're all arriving Japan. We have a night. Next day, we're up, cameras are rolling. Microphone. Microphones are going. And then I say, right, I'm just going to go around and get Pete ready, because we've put Pete in a different room, so. So I get the Red Bull hat out my bag, go over to him, put it on his head. He looks at himself in the mirror and goes, are you serious? I'm like, yep, good luck. And then I walk off. And then what you see in that first episode is him just figuring it out and improvising on the spot how to deal with that.

[Adrian]

I mean, it is a mockumentary. That's what this is, right? I mean, it's. He's just so good at. And Jason is also good at it. Jetto, not so good. But I think you need, like, a rusty anchor to be pulled behind the boat to get that real feeling of. Of chaos, you know, because if they're all good, it would. It wouldn't work. You need. You need, like, you need someone who's going to be the sort of opposite of what's going on.

[Colin]

Jetto works because he just falls over a lot. That's his. Not even on purpose. He just falls over. Meanwhile, Pete is having to basically method act this weird thing under jet lag that he's figuring out as he goes. Never done it before. No training. Yeah. On the other side, Jetto just falls over.

[Adrian]

It's almost like behind the scenes, method acting, if that makes sense, because he's not. He has no time to practice it. You know, he's not walking around home speaking to his partner, Gina, you know, acting like this. It should just. She'd be like, come here. Get back to you. Finish the dishes. And, you know, he's just thrown in the deep end, which is. Which is really cool. Yeah. Is there going to be one more behind the scenes, or is the next episode the finale?

[Colin]

No, there's one more behind. There's one more behind the scenes. And then there's the video that they make as well.

[Adrian]

You missed the temp in bowling. Eh?

[Colin]

I've seen it now, though, on the footage.

[Adrian]

J starts. Starts out. His first ball's like a perfect strike with a spin, like. And I was thinking, oh, here we go. Here's the guy who's actually a professional bowler turning it up. But then I realized that that was actually a fluke. I accidentally put a ball down the wrong alley. Almost wrong lane. Come across. Anyway, let's hear from Pete now. Pete, welcome back to the show, buddy.

[Pete]

Thank you very much for having me.

[Adrian]

Someone messaged me the other day, said, is Road to Pro scripted? And I was like, absolutely not. It's direction with a thousand takes.

[Pete]

Yeah, that is exactly it. That is exactly.

[Colin]

I had a.

[Pete]

My partner asked me the same thing, actually, the other day when we were watching it together. I was like, no, no, we really are just saying that. Ridiculous. We are just coming up with that absurd stuff on the spot. So, yeah, imagine if Jitter had to learn lines.

[Adrian]

That would just might possibly be the end of the project.

[Pete]

Well, we did briefly entertain it for Road to Pro season one, I believe, and it was a complete disaster. So we immediately decided that that could never happen.

[Adrian]

Although, Pete, I'm not sure that Jetto knows what's going on Most of the time, anyway. He's just. He's just there, which I like.

[Pete]

Yeah, he has no clue. Which is the perfect way for it to be because it just adds an unprecedented level of chaos to proceedings.

[Adrian]

So it's shit talking without the consequences, really, you know, because it's behind the sort of fourth wall and that. That allows it to be okay, I think.

[Pete]

Yeah. Yeah, I think so. Yeah. Especially this one. It was. There was a lot of talking, but it was all kind of, you know, we are. I mean, it is. I'd say this is more of a mockumentary than. Than anything we've made before, but, yeah, it was a lot of fun. It was a lot of fun. There were some moments that were pretty. Like the. The rub. The beach. The rub. The rubbish on the beach scene. That was. That was tough. That was tough to film. I was. Yeah, I was dying inside for the entirety of that. But I think it's pretty funny on. On camera.

[Adrian]

So your moral compass was taking a lot of shots that day when. It's just so unbelievable that when we went down to shoot that thing, there's actually people doing a beach cleanup. It's. You couldn't have picked it. You couldn't have picked a worse time.

[Pete]

What are the odds? I don't think we saw some. Anyone doing a beach clean at any other point in the entire trip. But as soon as we're out there emptying rubbish onto the beach to pick up again, there they are, you know, wholesome, smiling, thanking us as we take our rubbish back up again. I think that was the worst bit, the fact they thanked us. I was like, oh, my God.

[Adrian]

Thanked us. They're lucky they didn't see Jason Venus Bay just continually tipping the rubbish onto the beach. But you know what? Your moral compass was good, because we actually did pick up some more rubbish. We actually did a little bit more than we're asked.

[Pete]

I don't think it's on. I don't think it made it into the final cut. But I did go into a bush with Jetto at the end to try and find some rubbish to add to our pile. For me more than for the shoot.

[Adrian]

If you ever go to any wild place in the world, you'll see a low ditch that looks like it's got water runoff. And in that bottom of the ditch, there's always a bunch of crap. Our boy Pete was down there picking that up. It was impressive.

[Pete]

I was. It was pretty noble of me, honestly.

[Adrian]

How do you find watching yourself on these shows? Is that something that you're more used to now, or do you sort sit back and just cringe a bit and go, oh, my, this is quite tough to watch.

[Pete]

I think it depends on how much of myself I've watched recently. So we're under episode three now, and I'm used to it. I think I can kind of enjoy it a bit more. Episode one, I was actually. I honestly, it took me. It took me a while. It took me a. Probably. I probably watched about a week after it came out because it took me a while to suck myself out. Why? Okay.

[Colin]

Okay.

[Pete]

Time to watch myself biggest chess on camera again. And it was great fun once I. What's it called into it. But yeah, there was always that kind of like, oh, God. But yeah, I think in some ways it's a bit easier to watch myself this time as it is me is. Yeah, we are all kind of. At least, I'm very much playing a caricature of myself to some extent, with the kind of the whole I fake sponsored Red Bull athlete things. I think that makes it easier is I can pretend to myself that that's not just me being me, which kind of is for quite a lot of it.

[Adrian]

But, you know, you. You say that, Pete, but the character isn't that much different to you.

[Pete]

No, exactly.

[Adrian]

It's more. It's just more gregarious, let's say it that way, you know.

[Pete]

Yeah, no, it isn't that different, but I can. Yeah, it really isn't that different, but I can pretend to myself it is, which makes it easier in the watching process.

[Adrian]

So, you know, you're really close to your parents, and your parents, you know, watch these series. How does your family react to seeing you act this way and seeing this side of you? Because maybe that's a side of you that they. They don't get to see.

[Pete]

I think they liked it. I think they. They're always very supportive. They always say, oh, it was really nice. I mean, the one piece of feedback that I got from my parents last time was less swearing this time, Pete. And I think I delivered on that, stopped by a lot of swearing, but I think I turned it down a bit. So I think now I'm happy with that.

[Adrian]

I think that's what all parents say.

[Pete]

That is all parents say. Yeah, I don't think that's unique to me.

[Adrian]

I try not to swear too much on the podcast, to be honest. I mean, every now and then I let it out, but I think when I do let it, I think it's the emphasis that I need to get across rather than just me flippantly using the word. So I think maybe if you drop it, it's because you want to emphasize a point rather than just, you know, loosely say something. Would I be right in that?

[Pete]

Agreed. I think that's the judicious use of swearing. I think is. Is okay. That's what I aim for. I, I would say judicious, not flippant.

[Adrian]

How are these shoots different to the road to the Megaloop? Which was a lot more pressure on you, which was very, very hard. A long shoot. I think you did two stints in Cape Town. I was there for the first one. And, you know, there was times when we felt bad putting you in those situations. We, you know, I, you know, there was pressure on, like, going, oh, man, are we doing the right thing? These must be so much more fun to shoot.

[Pete]

So much more fun. I think the only thing that matters is that we do stupid things, which is a lot easier than trying to do something difficult like Omega Loops, so. Yeah, exactly. No, they're a huge amount of fun. I feel very privileged that I get the opportunity to go and do them. But, yeah, it's. There's so much fun to shoot. I think if it looks like we're having fun on camera, it's because we really are having fun and there is just a lot of banter, a lot of cocking about. And yeah, it's almost like you're seeing

[Adrian]

the tip of the iceberg because there's all the stuff that when we're not shooting is. Is just as good, but the cameras are off type thing, and therefore everyone's involved, you know.

[Pete]

Yeah. The number of times there's. That moment's like, oh, God, no, save that for when the cameras are rolling. That would feel. That was a constant refrain throughout the shoot. So, yeah, I think Jason. It brings. Yeah. Jetta and Jason are both amazing, I think for different reasons. Jetta is an agent of chaos and Jason is kind of. Yeah, I think it's good to. I feel like we have a good kind of tet a tete going back and forth, which I think comes through. And I think he's definitely developed from the first season of Road to Pro, as we've kind of gotten to know each other a bit more, we spent more time together and all gotten more comfortable with each other on camera. So I think it's feels. I think we feel more cohesive as a, As a. As a three on screen. This, this series. If it feels to me, anyway, we've

[Adrian]

spoken about this many times. I don't think there's many professional kiteboarders would allow themselves or would allow themselves to be. Or put themselves in those situations that Jason does allow. I mean, that's pretty rare, right? Because you. You pretty much have to be prepared to make fun of yourself and be laughed at.

[Pete]

Yeah, he is amazing for that. I. I can't think of anyone else who would do that. And very, very special guy. Jason Van Der Spee really is.

[Adrian]

I mean, I think it's a hidden calling. I remember watching, you know, interviews about Clarkson's farm and they were talking about that sort of. Caleb is a. Is a just a natural person on camera. And I really feel like that's. You had that same sort of Persona, not Caleb's actual Persona, but you guys are completely comfortable being in front. And I've seen you grow as well in that role because, you know. You know, rather than someone saying, hey, say that, you'll just maybe rattle off three or four different ways because you are. Well, you're trying to put a difference out there and letting the editors choose the direction.

[Pete]

Yeah, I think that is definitely something that we got better at is saying lots of silly stuff in different ways. And then the directors to be Ben San, you, Adrian, you'd all chip in with other other funny bits that you thought we could add. We could try. And then we'd try that. And yeah, then we're just trying to deliver that in a natural way. And I think it works really well, actually. Like, there are some bits that I think the. Don't know if this breaks the fourth wall a little bit, but the helicopter mirror bit that my partner found very, very funny. That was. That was a direction suggestion from Ben, I think. I think it was though, wasn't it? And, yeah, and then we replayed that scene with that and it's pretty good, I think.

[Adrian]

I mean, I think we're all looking forward to the final product. If you haven't been. Have been watching along, we're at the moment going through the behind the scenes where, you know, there's a lot of breaking down the fourth wall. And that at the moment, because we are. You can see the sort of the action. And I quite like the way this is going. I'm actually really looking forward to seeing the final product. How it comes out, I have no idea because, I mean, there were some days which crazy times, especially trying to do the Rayleigh. Let's talk about the Rayleigh from episode two. When you put your hand up and said, I'll do the rally. I was just Like I just looked at a beard and I thought, mate, this ain't gonna work. But I tell you what, that was some of the funniest stuff we've done, I think for a long time.

[Pete]

The Rayleigh stuff was hilarious, to be fair. I don't know if my Rayleigh was worse than Jatto's. I don't think it was better, but I don't think it was worse.

[Adrian]

Jetto's was terrible. For a guy who can do, who is, you know, actually a really decent rider, his Rayleigh is absolutely shocking.

[Pete]

Yeah, no, it's peak grade is how I would describe that. Really? No, that was so funny.

[Adrian]

What was your thoughts on Ishigaki? Because it was a first time for all of us to, to be that far south and it is a. It is far south. I think it's 1400 kilometers south of the mainland. So. Yeah. What, what did you think of Ishigaki?

[Pete]

It was amazing. It was amazing. Just really peaceful. Very, very quiet, I thought. I think that's partly because we were outside the center of the main town. I did walk into central Ishigaki a few times in the evenings and there were people about. So clearly there are tourists there, but I think they're just not going off to the far flung corners like we were. But yeah, pretty much every beach we went to, we were the only people there. Super quiet, amazing weather, very peaceful, great food. Yeah, I think if you want a mellow time and incredible scenery, then Ishigaki is definitely the place to go. Good kiting too. I think it's. I would say it lends itself more to freestyle. The big air spots were a little leg breaky, I think it's fair to say. But yeah, incredibly pretty. I mean, I can't think of a pretty place to break your leg if you wants to go any bigger there again. But yeah, really, really cool. So if you ever want to go and have a mellow kite holiday, then Ishigaki is definitely the place to go. Incredibly cheap as well. The exchange rate is nuts if you're coming from kind of a Europe or the UK or America or something like that. So, yeah, I could definitely recommend it.

[Adrian]

I mean, I think we were probably out of the tourist season. You know, it was. It was still the winter time when we were there and it was, it was strange. Like the, the weather would swell from like 22, 23 degrees. Quite, quite pleasant to times when all of us are wearing every bit of clothes that we owned. You know, it's like a. It was a Place of extremes. But I guess that's just. I guess that's just winter weather.

[Pete]

Yeah, absolutely. I'd say it felt like British spring is kind of how I would put it. So it was kind of low teens, the coldest it got. So I think I was in trousers and the jumper. Adrian, you were bundled quite heavily.

[Adrian]

You, I can't believe you were wearing a shorty. Everyone else is wearing like four threes and I think Jetta was in like a five three and you, you're just in a three two shorty. Which is classic hard British sort of

[Pete]

behavior really, which is used to it. Honestly. There were a few days where I really wished I was in a long wetsuit. I did get quite cold on a couple of occasions.

[Adrian]

That big air spot you're talking about is Taki Tomi, I think was the island that Takatomi. I mean, beautiful spot, right? I mean it was about 6 inches of water but it was a absolutely beautiful spot. And yeah, I wouldn't think that would be a place that you would really push it out there but for the shoot and what we did. Wow, stunning. When I see those shots now, I know it was a incredibly cold, windy, overcast and rainy day, but man, it still looks beautiful.

[Pete]

Yeah, I can't even imagine how pretty it would be on a sunny day because it was, as he said, stunning on a crap dough. So yeah, an amazing, I mean amazing flat water spot. But yeah, just super shallow. So you have to have a fair pair of kahunas on you to be throwing down that spot.

[Adrian]

Not a place for the race, set up the foil.

[Pete]

No, no, just Ishigaki in general. We made it work. I don't think it made it into the final cut. I think it might be in Jason van der Spaj's behind the Scenes YouTube video. But we did make it work a couple of times in the foil. But yeah, a lot of coral, you know, minor ecological crimes may have been done with with the Chibanga against bits of Ishigaki reef.

[Adrian]

Jason, the self proclaimed goat, by the way, you said goats bar. I think goats bleat, don't they? Don't goats bleat. In sheep bar it is more of

[Pete]

a bleat but I think if. I think it's more like a meh is kind of how it is, isn't it? So I think yeah, I feel like in practice they sound quite similar to sheep. I think we've decided that 1 bars and 1 bleats. But really what is the difference between bar and a bleat?

[Adrian]

The vowel.

[Pete]

Yeah, exactly.

[Adrian]

How was Osaka? Because I know you and Sam did some sort of the B roll stuff.

[Pete]

A lot of that.

[Adrian]

The Lord Post stuff there. You guys stayed on a little bit longer than everyone else. Did you enjoy Osaka? The Osaka experience, going out to the scenes and seeing a bit more of Japan?

[Pete]

Osaka was my favorite big city, actually, out of everywhere I went to. As I went to Tokyo afterwards, you know, kind of a week after you guys had all left.

[Adrian]

Yeah.

[Pete]

Just so vibrant, touristy, but not. It didn't feel like it was catering purely to tourists like Tokyo sometimes did. Completely chaotic. Yeah. It was just so much fun, just running about, looking for stuff, you know, trying to find places to eat. Just no plan. Yeah, it was great. It felt like a proper. Is the Japan you imagine. I think Osaka just, you know, crazy lights, crazy shops, people everywhere, nutty trains.

[Adrian]

I was just about to say crazy train system. I mean, you almost. You almost need a degree in the train system to. To work it out. I mean, I think if you get it on train, you're going to get there, but it's whether you want to take 15 hours to get there or 37 minutes.

[Pete]

Yeah. They've got about four trains, all called the Express, which is. It was that. That was tough. But we. We figured it out eventually.

[Adrian]

I was watching episode three the other day, and. And you said that Jason Van der Spe looks a bit like Tyrion from Game of Thrones, and I was thinking about that. I think. I think Tyrion and Jason Ven could be polar opposites. I don't think they could be anything closer outside of the color of their skin.

[Pete]

I mean, if you take a headshot, just the head. I think in that moment with Jason's facial expression, that moment, I'm singing to my guns and saying he looked a bit like Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones.

[Adrian]

That's a bit of a slap in the face to Tyrion Lannister, isn't it? Sorry, Jason, we love you. We really do.

[Pete]

We do. We do.

[Adrian]

Jason, is the next episode going to be the full version of the cut, or do you think we've got one more behind the scenes before we see the. The Almighty Ishigaki windshield finale?

[Pete]

That is a very good question. I think it's the last one, but that could be hearsay. And the end of the day that power lies with Ben and Sam, editors extraordinaire. But, yeah, I think. I think there's just. I think it's just one left, but I guess we'll find out. Won't we? I'm as excited to find out as you are, Adrian, and everyone listening at home.

[Adrian]

By the way, I've got the Morph suits at my house. I picked them up from the pile of green screen that was lying on the floor, and I actually have put those. Put those Morph suits on. Just. I wanted to experience what it's like to be in a more suit. It is kind of fun. There's something about. It's like being hugged all over.

[Pete]

Yeah. I. I don't know if I would say I enjoyed my time with the Morph suit, but it was certainly.

[Adrian]

Especially in the water. The water. It's like being waterboarded full time.

[Pete]

Thankfully, I didn't have to do that. That was. That was on Jason by the spy. Can't believe he did that. Honestly, that must have been so grim,

[Adrian]

especially after everyone else had been wearing it and spitting. Actually, I think Jason was like, I can't breathe this. And he turned it around and went zip on the front.

[Pete]

Yeah.

[Adrian]

You know, to get away from the slobber from everyone else wearing it.

[Pete]

Yeah. I've been loving the AI Generated anime openings and thumbnails to Easter. But they're so funny.

[Adrian]

The images look great as well.

[Pete]

They do. They? I mean, as a whole, it's really impressive. I've been enjoying picking up the bits like I'm wearing a helmet while also holding my helmet and Jason's head disappearing as he takes the photo. That's quite good as well. And the kite's having, like, a full ring of a leading edge. But having said that, amazing. I mean, just so funny. It's one of. One of my partner's favorite bits. Sorry I keep mentioning her. She's. Gina's been watching it with me, so she's my barometer as to all people who weren't involved in the shoot in thinking of it, so.

[Adrian]

But that's good that you have someone who gets it. If I show people I know they're like, what's going on here? What are you guys doing? I'm like, it's a mockumentary. That's. You got to keep saying that. It's just. This is just us having fun.

[Pete]

Exactly. Gina keeps calling a documentary. I'm like, no, darling, it's definitely not a documentary. It's many things, but it's not that.

[Adrian]

If we did another one of these Road to Pros, what do you think we should do? Because obviously, I think the perfect mix is you, Jason, and Jenna. It just seems to work perfectly every time. If you had the creative direction to do something different. What would you do?

[Pete]

Well, I've got a few thoughts, and some of them are based on stuff that I've wanted to do personally and is therefore, I think maybe not coming from the right place. But I think it'd be cool to do one in the uk, which is tricky because unlike Ishigaki in South Africa, you cannot rely on the wind being there and you want to shoot in the uk. But having said that, I think it'd be nice to always kind of complete the trilogy and be one of everyone's kind of home spot, so to speak. I also think doing a freestyle orientated wand would still be fun. I know that Jason has a background in freestyle. I still think that would be really funny. I don't know if it would just be too crap. I have a horrible feeling that I just wouldn't be able to do it at all. And therefore, maybe that would make really quite bad telly. But the other thing I'd quite like to do is some kind of kite. Kite adventure where we kind of. We start somewhere and we go somewhere else, either on Twintip or foil, whatever, really. But just. Yeah, we kind of. We seeing, you know, kind of go to a different spot each day kind of kite. Yeah. Either kiting or driving between them. So kind of like either a road trip or a. Or a proper, you know, kiting from spot to spot with a van kind of for, you know, supporting. I think all of those would be great fun. But, yeah, I mean, honestly, I do anything there. It's just great fun being on camera.

[Adrian]

Just sign me up, send me the tickets, and I'm there. UK is a good idea because, you know, we have done South Africa, now we've done Japan. Maybe you can say, hey, hi, guys. I want to show you my hidden. My hidden kite spots and my spots. And that would be kind of sick, you know, because that might be the. But by the way, more kite boarding could be good because in this. In this one, very little kite boarding. I think we. I think we had one decent day. Like another half, let's just say one decent day.

[Pete]

I mean, to be clear, we did try. We tried really hard to do lots of kite boarding, but Ishigaki was making it quite challenging. I think kiteboarding was possible. Good kiteboarding, very challenging. I'm not gonna forget Ishigaki anytime soon.

[Adrian]

Every time I pick up my board, I'm like, oh, my God, look at the state of this board. Chips out of it. Big scratches. But, mate, it's okay. It Was all part of the adventure. I think we just unfortunately got. We were just there the wrong time for tides, you know, it was just a bit low tide. But, yeah, beautiful spot. Lots of different. By the way, lots of different cool locations to go if you are interested in going there, you know, reach out to Jitto. There's three or four different beaches facing different wind angles. It really is because it's so small, they can pretty much catch every single wind angle. And we were right at the end of the sort of windy season, to be fair. We sort of. It was sort of tailing off when we got there. But, yeah, great time. It was. It was a really, really, really good trip. You say you enjoyed the food, Sam and I got food poisoning, mate. I haven't touched Japanese since, by the way. I haven't touched any Japanese food since someone said, should we get sushi? And I was like, you know what, man? I'm just having a little bit of a break from Japan at the moment. I'm just. I'm just trying to. You need to. I need to build up some confidence in it.

[Pete]

Again, all Japaned out.

[Adrian]

You know, when you have a bad experience on something, you know, you're a little bit sort of tentative about moving forward in that direction again. So maybe. Maybe need to man up and just go to a few. California or something. Safe.

[Pete]

Yeah. Scallops is my Japanese sushi agent.

[Adrian]

But, Pete, mate, once again, thank you so much. Awesome job. As I said, mate, you look a real natural in front of the cameras, and I really love how you've built into this, you know, because, you know, you're a bit clunky in the first ones, you know, not really knowing yourself. But this is Pete. I mean, you've become the star. I feel like you've surpassed Jason. I think if. If the last one was Jason was the lead. I feel like you're the lead now and Jason's a sidekick. Jason's gonna hate that.

[Pete]

Stop it. That's very true. That was a huge amount of fun to film. I had a lot of fun doing it.

[Adrian]

All right, brother. Talk to you soon, eh?

[Pete]

Yeah, you too, Adrian. Thanks a lot.

[Colin]

Well, I haven't actually heard what Pete had to say, but I hope you all enjoyed that. I will hear once I've settled down with a nice warm drink to listen to it. Hope he was complimentary about my. My skills as a. As a maker.

[Adrian]

Absolutely. It was all positive. Oh, I'm sure I'm about dead at that, so I'll make it sound positive. Can always do that, mate. The power of the edit. Hey, next event, GK Mexico, the freestyle event. New location. It's Noveo. Does that sound very Mexican? Doesn't really, does it? But that's the area. 26 to 30th. Who's going to stop Finn Flugel? Can he be stopped?

[Colin]

I think the conditions are pretty choppy, aren't they? I don't think it's perfect flat there because you would say, you'd say John Maria would have a good go at it. But then Jean Maria likes dead flat, doesn't he?

[Adrian]

I don't think the Brazilians will go. I think, you know, financially, those Brazilians, they like to ride just that Brazilian events, right. I think he's, he's in a good position, man, you know.

[Colin]

I think Davi Ribeira will go, oh, new kite too.

[Adrian]

He's on the air rush.

[Colin]

Yeah, exactly. So I think he'll go. He's really hungry. He wants it. Maxime Chablo can kind of do it in no matter what the conditions.

[Adrian]

It's interesting how freestyle is sort of the reverse of Big Earth, like where it's more dominated by, well, dominated by an older crowd, where big air is more dominated by younger crowd. Obviously Finn bucking the trend there, but we don't have that same grassroots level of people coming into, into freestyle.

[Colin]

Will there be a live stream?

[Adrian]

Yeah, there is going to be a live stream.

[Colin]

Well, we look forward to tuning in then. Good stuff.

[Adrian]

Sad news though, on the GK side, I see that they've really reduced the level of the youth. I mean, this year there's only one youth event. Last year there's two youth events, St. Peter ordering and Tarifa. This year there's only one in, in the, in the, in the schedule I'm always like, you know, last year it sounds crazy though, Colin, because last year at St. Peter they had 60 people. Last year, this year, unfortunately, they're going to scrap the big air, they're going to scrap the strapless and it's only going to be freestyle. So all those youth, which is under 14, under 16, under 19, they only going to ride freestyle comps unless it's wind dependent and the wind picks up. Sort of like what happened in the 2021 event in Trifa when it sort of turned into a big air event, they're going to do that. But I think that's a real misstep, you know, especially in these tough times. I believe you should be looking at grassroots and, and sowing more seed and investing in the youth. That's I believe that's the strength of every sport. Riders investing in youth development and, and letting that fill up. What's your thoughts on that?

[Colin]

My thoughts are they've spent all the money on Winging.

[Adrian]

In 2023 they run 14 events. 2024, 12 events. 2025, 10 events. This year, nine events.

[Colin]

Give me the winging stats.

[Adrian]

Shall I have a quick look?

[Colin]

Let's just not. It'll just be depressing. It'll be like, yeah, there's two events every week.

[Adrian]

What is it? Wing? What is it? W. Ga.

[Colin]

It's called Winger. So who gives a. I'm not going to even look. No, let's not even look.

[Adrian]

It's just. I feel, I feel terrible.

[Colin]

It's not, it's not sexy, it's just.

[Adrian]

But on a positive side, there is some positive news. The GKA event in Myos has the biggest prize money of the year, 30k. So that's pretty awesome that finally there's some, some big money. And I think that's probably coming in from capital.com who's a new partner with the GKA. Obviously that's their big event and yeah, I'm for more money, man. I'm always for more money in the sport. And 30k I think is. It sounds like a decent prize money for class. Yeah, I think we owe money. Could be 31.

[Colin]

Let's have us enter there.

[Adrian]

There is some wild cards. Exactly when I was thinking about, you know, I said there are some wild cards and the Greek guys will get two. The only people I can really think of to write is Philippus, Tom and George Quintus. Those are the only two guys I asked about Baptist. I don't think I. When I asked Cyprian, his, his brother. Happy birthday, Cyprian.

[Colin]

These are people that no one knows.

[Adrian]

Do you remember even shooting the road to Megaloop? That guy was getting in the way.

[Colin]

Really?

[Adrian]

You remember when we were trying to. Pete was trying to run out. We're like, oh, this is the one. Pete and Philippus. Tom and Tanis was like running up, playing around and we're like get out of the way, you Greek bastard. And we said something more derogatory, but I can't remember. But what happened to Philippus Tomatoes?

[Colin]

Well, I don't know or care.

[Adrian]

The old school boys will know.

[Colin]

Our job, Adrian, is to distill the vast amount of information into bite sized little chunks for the good audience to eat.

[Adrian]

You would think Greece has or should have better riders.

[Pete]

Yeah.

[Colin]

Considering the epic conditions, maybe we will see this at mykonos Are you gonna come? What's your plan or.

[Adrian]

The plan is to come for sure.

[Colin]

Have you been looking at flights?

[Adrian]

I have, yeah. I've seen how much. That's, that's the issue that I will have with you in a private conversation. How much are we prepared to put into this?

[Colin]

How much are we talking? Give me just do some ballparks.

[Adrian]

Well, I've seen some cheap ones for 800, but.

[Colin]

800, let's get you on that. Lovely. Send you via boat. I heard there are some good freight ships going up the straight of Hermuz at the moment.

[Adrian]

Yeah, there's a, there's a good one via Tehran. It's a new airline. Yeah, but we'll see. That's the plan. It's a difficult situation, right, because it's not a shoot, it's an event, you know, like if it was a shoot then I could double down and do back to back stuff and I would feel more comfortable about spending that type of money. But these are all the things that we need to consider, Colin, you know.

[Colin]

Exactly, exactly.

[Adrian]

Consider the highs and lows of.

[Colin]

Yeah, it's the wider picture.

[Adrian]

I'm a big picture guy. Although my eyes are close together, you know they.

[Colin]

Your imax.

[Adrian]

I do have a wide peripheral like my, my mother took a photo of myself the other day. I was looking at myself. Those eyes are getting closer I think. I think my face is getting narrow. I don't know. I need to address that issue. Might be more chocolate. I haven't worked it out. I think I need to put on like about a couple kilos every year just to keep the skin tight. That's, that's the problem I'm facing. The skin's getting loose. So I think every year I'm going to start putting on more weight just to keep that tightness in. And I think next year I'll get a large harness or just wear a five, four everywhere I go.

[Pete]

Oh, that's good.

[Colin]

Okay, that's enough of this. Things worse always. We'll see you on the next one. Goodbye.