Kitesurf365: The Megapod – WOO Worlds and Big Jumps
Podcast: Kitesurf365
Hosts: Adrian Kerr & Colin Colin Carroll
Date: August 7, 2025
Episode Overview
This Megapod episode is a lively, banter-filled conversation between hosts Adrian Kerr and Colin Colin Carroll covering the rapidly approaching WOO Worlds event, the latest sponsor rumors in the big air scene, record-breaking kiteboarding jumps, and a colorful discussion of personalities shaping the sport. Expect irreverence and in-jokes aimed at the dedicated kiteboarding audience, along with some industry insights and memorable moments.
Key Topics & Discussion Points
1. Stijn Mole "Stino" and the Sponsorship Shuffle
[00:40 - 04:14]
- Speculation abounds over where Stino, a prominent rider, will move following his departure from Cabrinha.
- Adrian bets on North as his likely destination due to connections with Morane and North’s new materials, while Colin analyzes sponsor dynamics and team needs across brands such as ProLimit, Mystic, Nash, Harlem, F1, and Duotone.
- Quote:
- Adrian: "Who do you think I'm voting? North, because he's good mates with Moraine, running SpaceX together." [01:19]
- Colin: "Brands are looking to save money at the moment, not spend more money... I would push North off the table." [01:39]
- Harlem’s aggressive signings raise the risk of over-extending—recalling the fate of Best Kiteboarding.
2. WOO Worlds 2025: Format Changes and What to Expect
[04:18 - 11:03]
- Big Change: The Team Total Height and Team Total Distance events have been condensed to 48-hour periods, running over weekends to boost participation.
- “It’s just better for inclusion, isn’t it? … instead of taking needing to take a week off work ... you can just do it in two days.” – Adrian [05:17]
- Pros and cons: More accessible for casual riders, yet hardcore participants will likely push their bodies and gear to the edge for nearly two days straight.
- Two main disciplines:
- Team Total Height: Cumulative jump heights of each team’s top five riders across the 48 hours (Sept 27-28).
- Team Total Distance: Sum of total distances kited by each team during its 48-hour window (Oct 11-12).
- Inclusion praised—lesser-known kiters gain opportunity for fame through dedication.
- Iconic endurance kiters (e.g., Timo Martin) described, including details of his, er, “nutritious” WOO Worlds diet (see below).
3. Endurance, Commitment, and the Infamous Diets of Big Air Riders
[08:16 - 09:56]
- Timo Martin, renowned for team competition and, notably, a memorable race diet:
- “He would put meatballs and bananas in a Ziploc bag, mash it up, right? ... Open it and then he’d put it down his wetsuit so it’d be like kind of warm and then he’d put his hand in there and just munch on that.” – Adrian [08:16]
- Upgraded to “Red Bull and hard boiled eggs” last year.
- Discussion devolves into vivid speculation about kiteboarders’ fueling strategies and commitment to competition.
4. Record-Breaking Jumps in Australia: Jared Plugg’s Story
[11:43 - 14:37]
- Record alert: Jared Plugg lands the first 30-meter jump in Western Australia—second highest jump ever in Australia.
- Jared’s recount:
- Extreme conditions: 50+ knot gusts at “the pond.”
- Tactics: Choosing less-crowded outside zones; hitting the right kicker at the right moment.
- Gear: “7 meter Ozone Edge V12 on 22 meter lines ... just goes so high.” [13:31]
- Endurance session: 8am–3:30pm with breaks to recharge the WOO, multiple record challenges by different riders.
- “That V12 Edge has got the king and queen of the pond.” [14:36]
5. Tarifa Bushfires, Industry Banter, and Jet Bradshaw’s Wild Side
[14:37 - 17:43]
- Discussion of the recent bushfires in Tarifa and how natural disasters hit closer to home when friends are in the area.
- Lively speculation about the (entirely joking) blame for bushfires—Jet Bradshaw is humorously fingered as a likely culprit but in true Megapod style:
- “If you actually put what Jet gets up to in a video, there’s nowhere on the Internet that it would be okay to put it.” – Adrian [16:39]
- Colin & Adrian riff: If Jet tried to put out a fire by urinating on it, he’d make it worse due to the alcohol content.
- Heartfelt side note: Both hosts check in with friends affected by real disasters, blending humor and genuine care.
6. Feature: Capturing Kiting Personalities on Video (Jet & Kevin Langeree)
[17:43 - 24:19]
- Jet Bradshaw’s new feature video praised for finally capturing his “essence”—though “unfiltered” is a stretch according to Adrian.
- “Every time I spend time with Jet, he reminds me why he’s great for this industry.” – Colin [16:11]
- Details on behind-the-scenes work with Kevin Langeree:
- Adrian sets the stage: Kevin is put through a comedic “interrogation” filmed in a hot, makeshift room.
- “If you go a bit soft, you’re going to look … it’s not good. You need to be hard on them. Hard enough so that everyone knows you, you’re not being. Is a joke, basically.” – Adrian [21:54]
- Kevin’s versatility and dedication as a brand owner, pro rider, and hands-on customer service hero highlighted.
- “He’d be like changing a line on a customer’s bar ... and then later that evening, going out jumping over 30 meters...” – Adrian [24:02]
- Adrian sets the stage: Kevin is put through a comedic “interrogation” filmed in a hot, makeshift room.
7. Kiteboarding Brands: Identity, Strategy, and Market Evolution
[24:19 - 27:30]
- The importance of true brand identity discussed—Reading praised for standing out visually and culturally versus the “Mercedes Benz” aspirations of many brands.
- “Reading’s like: now, we won’t do that. Reading is bright colors, is way more fun, way more relaxed than the others ... which I really respect.” – Adrian [25:00]
- Contrast: Nick Jacobsen’s “dentists will like it” minimalist brand versus his personal fun persona.
- Colin applauds the maturing gear market: more options for different budgets and skill levels, likening it to tiered tennis rackets.
- “I think it’s a sign of a maturing market ... not having entry level products has always held us back.” – Colin [26:15]
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- On endurance:
- “People aren’t going to sleep, they’re going to be … They will kite for 48 hours. That’s what will happen.” – Colin [05:30]
- On Timo’s diet:
- “He would put meatballs and bananas in a Ziploc bag … then he’d put his hand in there and just munch on that and keep going.” – Adrian [08:16]
- On leading a team:
- “If I need to sacrifice a few shipmonks to get the gold, then so be it. You know, there’ll be a noble way to go.” – Adrian [11:22]
- On Jet Bradshaw:
- “If you actually put what Jet gets up to in a video, there’s nowhere on the Internet that it would be okay to put it.” – Adrian [16:39]
- On Reading’s brand:
- “Reading’s like: now, we won’t do that. Reading is bright colors, is way more fun, way more relaxed than the others.” – Adrian [25:00]
- On kiteboarding’s growth:
- “I think it’s a sign of a maturing market ... not having entry level products has always held us back.” – Colin [26:15]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Sponsor speculation & team moves: 00:40–04:14
- WOO Worlds 2025 format & accessibility: 04:18–11:03
- Big Air endurance strategies & kiteboarder diets: 08:16–09:56
- Jared Plugg’s 30m jump story: 11:43–14:37
- Tarifa bushfires & community check-ins: 14:37–17:43
- Jet Bradshaw’s wild side & Kevin Langeree feature: 17:43–24:19
- Brand identity & market evolution: 24:19–27:30
Recap & What’s Next
The hosts tease the next episode’s focus on further WOO Worlds coverage and “Road to Pro” episode releases, as well as production insights from the upcoming “How to Get Paid” series.
This episode blends kite-industry gossip, relatable stories from the scene, playful trash-talk, and real appreciation for what makes kiteboarding culture unique—equal parts mayhem and heart. Perfect for keeping up with the real personalities driving the sport.