Kai Lenny and the world's longest waves - video

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

"All of a sudden my world just exploded with the possibility of empty lineups!" So says Kai Lenny of lightbulb moment atop his 5'6" hybrid foil board. Mile long waves were in the offing...though the excitement is marginally tempered when you realise they're only half a foot high.

Still, it must feel good.

Comments

benski's picture
benski's picture
benski Thursday, 15 Sep 2016 at 11:49am

Must be that swallow tail making a all the difference...

seriously though it raises in my mind the question I asked when I signed onto swellnet years ago, what's the purpose of surfing for you? Is it to ride a wave for as long as possible and feel the glide or is it about positioning yourself in the steepest part of the wave as much as possible? Or is it about doing one single massive carve or air?

I love surfing mellow waves in clear water, there's a few places I like that are actually sub-optimal surf wise but you can study the colours in the reef as you cruise along over it. It blisses me out and helps me relax. Helps me feel connected.

It's hard to beat 4 foot hollow surf for straight out fun but cruising in peace and taking it all in really makes me happy. Reckon I'd be keen to try what Lenny is doing here.

wombatwombat's picture
wombatwombat's picture
wombatwombat Thursday, 15 Sep 2016 at 2:27pm

what's the purpose of surfing...................you are a surfer, you surf, thats it.

yocal's picture
yocal's picture
yocal Thursday, 15 Sep 2016 at 12:02pm

if Kai can just figure out how to put a shipping container on the nose he might revolutionise ocean transport forever.

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Thursday, 15 Sep 2016 at 12:37pm

That yellow board is made with a Geo blank.

wally's picture
wally's picture
wally Thursday, 15 Sep 2016 at 1:16pm

Or, you could just get a windsurfing board. A lot more practical. You can just windsurf out from the shore, ride the ocean swell, then windsurf back.
Foil boards require a support boat. They only go one way. And I doubt you can paddle start.

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Thursday, 15 Sep 2016 at 2:45pm

You could be onto something Wally- only a matter of time before someone puts a foil on a windsurfer.

And Benski, what you mentioned? All of the above mate, the full spectrum. That's why I surf and I dare say why most of us do- it's fun, it's healthy for the mind and the body and it's always different.

mk1's picture
mk1's picture
mk1 Thursday, 15 Sep 2016 at 1:23pm

If he falls off, does the board just keep going?

pensky's picture
pensky's picture
pensky Thursday, 15 Sep 2016 at 3:32pm

Kite foiling is already happening

t-diddy's picture
t-diddy's picture
t-diddy Monday, 19 Sep 2016 at 12:47pm

Mr Lenny is easily amused for one who surfs 60ft waves