Kitesurf365 — TechCast #25 AMA with DK | Episode #410

Release Date: October 27, 2025
Host: Adrian Kerr
Guest: Dave Kay (DK)

Episode Overview

In this TechCast AMA (Ask Me Anything) episode, host Adrian Kerr and returning guest DK (Dave Kay) dive deep into listener-supplied technical questions about kiteboarding. The discussion traverses recent events in the kiteboarding world (like WOO Worlds), the evolution of technical equipment such as kite lines and control bars, the impact of gear and physical fitness on progression, changing market demographics, and experimental fin designs. This episode is packed with practical insight, a dash of self-deprecating Kiwi humor, and honest reflections for any kiter – from curious beginners to tech-obsessed pros.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. WOO Worlds Recap & Kiwi Performance

[00:03–06:55]

• DK and Adrian celebrate their teams' performances at WOO Worlds, highlighting second and fourth places in different categories.
• Discussion about competing under different flags (New Zealand and South Africa) and the robust influx of new riders, especially juniors.
• South African riders, notably in the wing division, performed exceptionally, including Nathan Van Ru winning the wings.
• Reflections on the small but mighty New Zealand kiteboarding scene:
  • DK (04:29): "It's that classic Kiwi mentality, right? Doing as well as you do with so little... Kiwis do amazingly well."
  • The Kiwi kite scene has shrunk over the past 15 years, but the performance per capita remains impressive.
• Shout-out to Clark's 28m jump: "I just love... not enough people talk about when you go high, how scared you get...I was just myself, man. Every little part of my thing was just thinking, okay, just get down..." — Adrian [05:46]

Memorable Moment:
Clark’s honesty about fear at altitude, openly admitting his nerves and mental battle during high jumps.

2. Charles Brodel’s WOO Record on a Foil

[06:55–09:56]

• Charles Brodel breaks the WOO record on a foil without "woosting" (using app/external tweaks)—a milestone for foil riders.
  • Adrian (07:21): "He absolutely kicked ass with that and I'm so stoked for the boy."
• Charles improved significantly by increasing kite power, not just relying on speed.
  • DK (09:18): "You've got to... have power. Like yes, he's been jumping high, but he's been using speed. Now he's actually using power and it makes a big difference in that vertical lift."
• The technical challenge of transitioning this performance to bigger events, such as King of the Air, where water conditions differ.

3. Designer-Riders & Materials Innovation

[10:09–13:24]

• Applauding the rise of top riders who are also kite designers (Brodel, McGilloway, Sue).
  • DK (11:02): "That's so unique... I don't know of any other sport where the top riders are also the top designers. Like they're all on their own gear."
• Brodel’s F-One kite took two years to develop, emphasizing a new industry patience and commitment to R&D.
• New proprietary materials entering kite manufacturing – e.g., North’s NU80, F-One’s Quadex.
  • Adrian (11:53): "The sport at a technical face value is really spreading out sideways almost."
• Reflection on how, after years of slow innovation, material science in kiteboarding is rapidly accelerating.
  • DK (12:10): "We've done a complete techcast that basically goes — that's just graphics. And the canopy's the least important when it comes to materials... it's the structural frame that all of the new gains have been taken from."
• Suggestion to do a future TechCast dedicated to hands-on testing of all the new materials in the market.

4. Deep Dive — Kite Lines: Materials, Manufacturing, and Myths

[13:24–19:17]

• Answering Chevix’s listener questions about kite line origins and differences.
• Demystification of "SK99" — it's simply a Dyneema fiber type, not the line itself.
  • DK (13:38): "Does anyone actually know what the hell that means?... SK99 is just a code for the fiber, that final fiber."
• The true performance and durability of kite lines come from the braiding, pre-stretch, and coating process — not simply the Dyneema code.
• Most quality braid-and-finish companies are in Europe (Netherlands, France, Germany).
• Acknowledgement of emerging quality from China and Taiwan, as patents expire and skill grows.
• Dyneema has become a "Sellotape/Kleenex" word for strong line, but there's variation in actual performance.

5. Quick Release Units and Bar Production

[19:17–29:47]

• Many brands now use similar or identical quick release systems, often made by specialist OEMs, rather than in-house.
  • Originally, bars and kites were made together, but rising complexity and risk fueled specialization.
  • DK (21:53): "Our bars have got infinitely more complex... much more risky in terms of ... a lot of the liability risk of running a kite brand comes from your control system..."
• Industry safety standards (ISO 21853, which replaced the French Ethnor standard) forced brands to upgrade or outsource their QR manufacturing.
  • Developing a new, certified quick release costs ~$100,000 and takes up to two years — prohibitive for many brands.
• Majestic is now a dominant supplier of standardized but customizable bar/Q-Release systems for numerous brands.
  • DK (28:33): "I'm personally a fan. I think this is a really good direction for the industry to go because standardization of safety equipment actually makes the whole — I think it makes the whole industry a little bit safer."
• Major brands (e.g., Cabrinha, Slingshot, Harlem) now source from these OEMs, enabling safer, more serviceable control systems.

6. What Most Determines Rider Progress? (Board vs. Kite vs. Fitness)

[29:47–35:12]

• Listener question from Captain Cook: Which matters more for session progress and fun – board choice, kite, or fitness?
• DK pokes fun at his board designer bias before getting honest:
  • DK (30:14): "If you just want to get out and get better at the sport then everything else pales into insignificance compared to getting time on the water... it's experience."
• The best gear is what you know and feel comfortable with. Practice trumps shiny new products.
• Advice on where to spend for value & enjoyment:
  • Quality wetsuits (if you’re cold, you won’t kite),
  • Harnesses that fit right (a frequent source of injury/discomfort),
  • Control systems and bindings suited to your body.
• When buying boards/kites, "appropriate" is more beneficial than "cutting edge" — mid-aspect, easy-flying kites help most riders progress faster.
  • "If you’re not Jason Van der Spuy, you’re probably going to do better on something that's just a little easier to use." — DK

7. Market Demographics in Kiteboarding

[35:12–39:06]

• DK isn’t on the marketing side but speaks to how companies view demographics for product development versus advertising.
• Key points:
  • Social media channel choice matters for reaching the right audience.
  • Product development is less about age/gender and more about usage needs (e.g., not building double-loop machines for 50-year-olds chasing WOO scores).
• The sport is skewing older:
  • DK (38:30): "Kiters have got older...people who started kiting 25 years ago for the most part are still kiting now. They're just 25 years older."

8. Experimental Fin Designs — Orca/Portal & Tuning

[39:06–43:52]

• DK describes his hands-on experiment with new "bent" fin concepts inspired by Portal/Orca, using a 3D printer to prototype.
  • He expected not to like them, but found extra hold on heel-side jumps without an unwanted "catchy" feeling.
    • Result: He broke his 20m jump record using these modified fins on his WOO-chasing board.
    • DK (41:41): "...putting the whole package together I got my, I got 20.6 at Kite Beach a week ago and a small part of that was having some slightly different fin designs on my hillside edge."
  • Acknowledges benefits may be setup/location dependent and less suitable for freestyle, but sees tuning flexibility as a big plus: "Fins are a tuning device, and you can change how your board rides by putting on different fins."

9. Cape Town Preview & Training Strategies

[44:09–45:29]

• Now is the time for serious King of the Air contenders to arrive and start training in Cape Town. Subtle differences between Kite Beach and Dolphin Beach can significantly impact technique.
  • DK (44:46): "How the kickers are set up at Kite Beach compared to Dolphin Beach — it's a completely different setup..."

Notable Quotes

• “It’s that classic Kiwi mentality, right? Doing as well as you do with so little” — Adrian [04:29]
• “You’ve got to... have power. Yes, he’s been jumping high, but he’s been using speed. Now he’s actually using power, and it makes a big difference in that vertical lift.” — DK [09:18]
• "That's so unique... I don't know of any other sport where the top riders are also the top designers." — DK [11:02]
• "If you just want to get out and get better... everything else pales into insignificance compared to getting time on the water." — DK [30:14]
• "Fins are a tuning device... and you can change how your board rides by putting on different fins." — DK [43:04]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:03 — Introduction, WOO Worlds recap
• 06:55 — Charles Brodel’s WOO record on a foil
• 10:09 — Trend of designer-riders and technical materials talk
• 13:24 — Kite line materials and manufacturing explained
• 19:17 — Quick releases, bar production, and safety standards
• 29:47 — Board vs. kite vs. fitness: what matters for progression?
• 35:12 — Demographics discussion in kiteboarding
• 39:06 — Portal/Orca fin experiments and board tuning
• 44:09 — Cape Town: King of the Air training strategies

Tone & Style

• Conversational, humorous, and technically detailed.
• Both host and guest are candid, sometimes self-deprecating, and focused on myth-busting.
• Technical terms are explained, but the episode retains a chatty feel with lots of personal anecdotes.

For Further Listening/Reading

• TechCast on Lines (for line-manufacturing deep dive)
• TechCast on Quick Releases
• Emergency Charles Brodel episode (big air / foil focus)

Final Thoughts

This TechCast is a goldmine for kiteboarders seeking clarity on gear, technology, and progression in the sport. DK’s relaxed technical explanations—paired with Adrian's rapport—offer listeners both practical advice and big-picture industry trends, making it relevant for pros and passionate hobbyists alike.