Watch: Jaws yesterday
It was a highly anticipated swell. The first swell of its size for the season following a tumultuous year, and also a chance to get back to the pattern we know. Part of that pattern is observing progression: who's stepping up and what are they doing?
It's no surprise to see Kai Lenny in the thick of things, Peahi is near enough his home break, plus he's been on a tear with a solid showing at Nazare, a documentary series with Red Bull, and enjoying extra-curricular activities with John John - sailing from Oahu to Kauai and back.
This clip shows five or so of Kai's waves from yesterday, including a handful of barrels, some of them succesful.
Full marks to the drone pilot for getting as close to the action as I've seen in waves of this size.
But then I'm gonna dock all those points for the atrocious soundtrack.
Poke the mute button, people.
Comments
You need to run the high line at that place on those boards they don't like to bottom turn. The speed they are going is incredible as is the speed and size of the wave. Skill and commitment in barrow loads.
You reckon it's the boards Memla?
The bottom shape of the wave looks so tricky - tons of water moving around, tons of water pulling up the face, looks almost impossible to hold a rail turning hard off the bottom. Can't imagine the leg and core strength you would need. They are incredible surfers and athletes.
Wonder if there would be as many without the jetski assist though - noticed a few being pulled out on the inside before being mowed over for the 2nd or 3rd time.
Yeah your right however watch the tow in guys they seem to be able to zip around all over the place with smaller boards and more speed.
The paddle guns run small quads, which are placed really forward, maybe that has something to do with it?
Very noice thanks Stu.
High scoring, post barreling face plant maneuver at 32 secs my fav.
Yep, mute the computer, turn up AC/DC Thunderstruck is my recommendation.
I always look at these more raw vids and feel that (without weird threatening cinematic stock audio track) they give you the best sense of being out there. The iron footage went wonky a few times after wipeouts - but I always wonder what the hold down time is? How long are the under?
Uplifting sound track for sure..........
People are starting to pull into that wave pretty often these days.
The guy on the wave behind kai's first got a smoker
Really good footage, I used this soundtrack for it:
they pull in every time.
pretty mad.
The music is a bit shit.
muzak for a dangerous lift
Loved the drone angles for something different, he’s easily top five maniacs on the planet for me rn, but f@$k, I had to mute that dramatic Disney shit.
Did someone say IMAX?
Music was more than shit!
Watched some of the raw footage last night and Kai certainly owned that sesh. The SUP' got a few bombs too as did a few others.
Kai was killing it on the tow waves too. There was this one guy towing in a yellow helmet, looked like a full beginner. Not sure what was going on there.
Just checked that footage out Zen. It's pretty epic! Kai's big bomb to tube has got to b up there with hall of fame rides out there. Yellow helmet had me baffled too. I think he/she is actually on a skimboard though.
Cheers BD, that makes sense.
who the SUP guy. I think Ian Walsh last few waves on pale blue SB - very confident..but Kai...jeez..next level..hows the airborne skater top turn he starts his waves with..he's always in the exact right takeoff spot - he only stokes about 8 times?
Music??? I kept expecting to see Kai get faded by Frodo...
I would much prefer well executed cliff footage. I don't like all the jittery movement, distorted perspective from a small lens and visual pollution of drones. The novelty has gone.
Agree.
Actually makes the waves look way less heavy and massive than they really are.
Water footage all the way I reckon, nothing beats the view like you're in the water....in the channel of course.
The raw footage mentioned above is well worth a look, some classic beatings and a variety of wave craft. Kai Lenny is just astounding on a tow board, ripping it up like a 4 ft beachie while most of the others are just hanging on . By far and away the standout.
Guy on the SUP gets my vote