Kitesurf365 – Winners and Losers | Red Bull Megaloop | The Megapod

Date: September 16, 2025
Hosts: Adrian Kerr (A), Colin Colin Carroll (B)

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Megapod, Adrian Kerr and Colin Colin Carroll broadcast from Kite Mana, the world’s biggest kitesurfing shop, to break down the triumphs and disappointments of the much-anticipated Red Bull Megaloop 2025 event—covering both the men’s and women’s divisions. The duo delivers their signature irreverent analysis, reviewing standout performances, tactical developments, equipment choices, and the unique atmosphere of one of kiteboarding's wildest competitions. The show is structured around “winners and losers,” offering detailed insights, witty banter, and behind-the-scenes tidbits for diehard fans.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Atmosphere and Setting

• The episode is recorded amidst boxes of gear at Kite Mana, due to lingering stormy winds from the prior day’s event ([00:39]).
• The Megaloop had “one of the best crowds ever” for a kitesurfing Monday, with bad weather not dampening public enthusiasm ([22:08]).

2. Biggest Winners

Lorenzo Casati

• "Biggest winner for me is Lorenzo Casati because he beat Andrea Pinchippi, his rival, at the biggest stage." (B, [02:04])
• Highlight Moment: With 2:40 left on the clock in the men’s final, Lorenzo landed a doobie loop with an added rotation and an impressively low kite, essentially clinching the victory ([04:07]).

  "I remember turning to you and say, that's it. He's just won the Mega Loop. No one's gonna top that." (B, [04:49])

• Technical Brilliance: Noted for unbeatable kite angle and consistency in high-scoring tricks across his heats.

  "He was rolling the dice more than anyone else, too. And when he hit a big score, it was way bigger than anyone else." (B, [02:32])

Zara Hoogenraad

• Dominated the women’s final, overcoming previous disappointments:

  "She didn't just win. She dominated… relentlessly and found that flow similar to Lorenzo. In the end, she was unstoppable." (A, [06:16])

• Took advantage of strong wind conditions that favored her style.
• Colin praises Zara’s "boogie loop" over Natalie—something neither rider seemed aware of in the moment ([06:39]).

Usil Parallax

• Standout young rider among the short line camp.

  "He impressed me from the beginning. … super cool, super calm. Didn't seem like he was under any pressure. Loved the moment." (A, [11:15])

• Praised for his board-off rotations on short lines and representing a future threat in major competitions ([12:03]).

Cohen Van Dijk

• Recognized for a much-needed strong performance, returning to form post-injury:

  "It was the performance he needed, you know? ... he's trending in the right direction." (A, [22:57])

• Needs to push more technical boundaries and capitalize on others' mistakes to challenge the current “big two” ([24:19]).

Natalie Lambrecht

• Lauded for her gutsy riding in the women’s division, executing high-difficulty tricks in tough conditions, which put her back on the podium after past disappointment ([30:12], [30:43]).

Dutch Cuisine (Honorary)

• Amidst food scarcity, Dutch event snacks are humorously declared winners:

  "It was a €4.50 for a white bun and a sausage cut in half." (B, [16:23]) "It was a 2.5 [out of 10]." (B, [16:53])

3. Notable Losers

Short Line Competitors

• Despite the hype, the short line riders were at a disadvantage due to slightly less extreme winds than expected:

  "The likes of Jet Bradshaw, Usil Parallax… they're all guys that if they try and play the same game... they're gonna lose it." (B, [07:45])

• Short lines increased risk and spectacle, but didn't deliver a competitive edge at top level ([09:23]).

Baby Shark (Nickname)

• Delivered a disappointing and disorganized performance, arriving with none of his own equipment:

  "Another disappointing performance for him. I think he probably needs to have a good look at himself and think, do you want to do competitions anymore?" (A, [12:58])

• Possibly suffering from “swagger overload” and lack of preparation ([13:15]).

Doubles (Technical Moves)

• Nearly absent from the competition due to wind/execution risk, suggesting a possible shift in trick progression:

  "Is this the death of doubles?...I am in a position where I kind of want to move away from doubles. I like the big singles. Now, looking at those... that kite position from the 18s, it was... beautiful." (A, [15:01])

Equipment Setup: Floating Markers (“Boys/Buoys”)

• Absence of buoys to mark the event box made judging and spectator perspective trickier but created a more ‘authentic’ feel ([20:20]).

The Hosts’ Wardrobe & Eyes

• Both hosts lament their sandy, wind-battered clothing and eyes after the event ([22:00], [37:04]).

4. Format & Technical Developments

• 18m lines and extreme kite angles changed the vibe, with greater risk, more freefall, but ultimately, “at the top end it didn’t make a difference at all” ([09:23]).
• Potential for the short line trend to evolve if kite designers begin catering specifically to that setup ([10:05]).
• One-on-one format and 8-minute heats praised as increasing psychological pressure and raising the competitive bar ([17:55]).

  "Eight minutes is also a really nice amount of time. ... the one on one part of it makes it a more psychological battle between the two riders." (B, [17:55])

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Women’s Grit:

  "These ladies are not big people. And they got more guts than me, man. That’s for sure." (A, [29:12])

• On Greek Crowd:

  "Biggest crowd that I've seen in person at a kite boarding event on a Monday." (A, [22:08])

• On Cohen’s Style:

  "Cohen rides in this, like, reckless style, which the judges really like… Whereas Andrea has, like, way more creativity in the air… and you go to Lorenzo, just so consistent." (B, [25:02])

• On Woo Worlds Participation:

  "2,500 sessions alone... 116,000 jumps... in two days? ...ridiculous numbers." (A, [32:42]) "Down the box I could just see people woosting as far as the eye could see." (A, [31:55])

• On Dutch Event Food:

  "It was a 2.5 [out of 10]." (B, [16:53])

6. Equipment & Gear Talk

• Discussion about riding different kites and the move to shorter line lengths; speculation on how trends might move gear design ([10:05], [12:23]).
• Noted that all top jumpers in Woo Worlds were using Dacron kites—not newer materials like Alula or Brainchild ([36:06]).

7. Woo Worlds and Nations Cup (Community Events)

• Massive participation spike due to Megaloop hype; “Kite Mana” and others dominate the leaderboard.
• On team spirit and rivalry:

  "You've overtaken us at first. But let's talk about top of the top." (A, [33:47])

• Host banter over their respective teams’ performance brings comic relief ([33:47]).

8. Behind the Scenes & Show Context

• The event’s organization and improvement since the last Megaloop are lauded ([16:55]).
• Personal stories, like Cohen and Heel’s friendship and sportsmanship, enhance the sense of community ([27:38]).
• Format evolution: Praise for “one-on-one” heats and the "psychological game" it introduces ([17:55], [18:24]).

Segment Timestamps

• [00:39] – Setting and conditions at Kite Mana, remnants of Megaloop storm
• [02:04] – Winners and losers format; Lorenzo Casati named biggest winner
• [04:07] – Breakdown of men’s final, Lorenzo’s show-stopping trick
• [05:51] – Zara Hoogenraad’s win in the women’s division
• [07:38] – Wind conditions impact, short line competitor disadvantage
• [10:05] – Discussion on equipment innovation and line length trends
• [11:15] – Usil Parallax’s surprise success
• [12:55] – Baby Shark’s underwhelming, unprepared showing
• [15:01] – “Death of doubles”? Technical evolution in trick choices
• [16:08] – Dutch event snacks earn love (honorary winner)
• [17:55] – Praise for the new competition format (one-on-one heats)
• [20:20] – Absence of buoys and impact on event optics
• [22:08] – Noting the enormous crowd
• [22:57] – Cohen Van Dijk’s performance and ongoing progression
• [25:02] – Comparing top men’s riding styles: Cohen, Andrea, Lorenzo
• [30:12] – Women’s division: Notable moments and grit
• [31:55] – Woo Worlds: Post-competition riding frenzy
• [32:54] – Nations Cup updates and comic rivalry
• [36:06] – Woo Worlds current leaders and gear choices
• [37:24] – Eye-related suffering and banter
• [38:07] – Preview of the next episode: Flysurfer Sonic 5 and foil kite talk

Final Notes

• Tone: Irreverent, passionate, in-the-know, and laced with dry humor that will be familiar to regular listeners.
• Value for Listeners: Deep event analysis, insider perspective on rider psychology and tactics, plus a mix of technical breakdown and gossip.
• Next Episode Tease: Deep dive into the new Flysurfer Sonic 5 and further Woo Worlds coverage.