Skip to main content

Watch Kai Lenny and Jaime O’Brien hydrofoil big waves at Oahu’s Banzai Pipeline

Kai Lenny hydrofoil
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Off the North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii there’s a place called Banzai Pipeline, which is legendary among top surfers the world over. In fact, they come from just about every corner of the globe looking to ride the Pipeline’s big waves and near-perfect barrels. The place isn’t for the inexperienced or faint of heart, but for those up to the challenge it is one of the top surfing destinations found anywhere on the planet.

That’s exactly why pro surfers Kai Lenny and Jamie O’Brien recently made the pilgrimage to those hallowed waters, setting their sights specifically on a place called the Third Reef. But unlike most surfers who venture into the Pipeline, they didn’t come to ride it on just any old surfboard. Instead, they came to see how a hydrofoil board performed on those wild waves, and lucky for us, they caught the entire experience in the video below.

Recommended Videos
Hydrofoil boards are quickly becoming a popular alternative to traditional surfboards, in large part because they are beginner-friendly and can ride just about any kind of wave — even those that are less than impressive. A hydrofoil board looks like a standard surfboard in most ways, with one important difference: It has a long pole connect to the bottom that is affixed to a wing that sits beneath the surface of the water. When the surfer catches a wave and starts to move, just like the wing of an aircraft, the hydrofoil wing creates lift, raising the board — and the surfer — out of the water. The result is improved speed and maneuverability.

Lenny has been an advocate for hydrofoil boards  for some time. The big-wave surfer is drawn to this unique experience that allows him to turn mediocre waves into incredibly fun rides. On top of that, a hydrofoil has an incredibly long range, allowing a surfer to skip from wave to wave in an endless fashion. This has allowed Lenny to pull off such stunts as racing a sailboat, ride a river in Idaho, and ride for 50 miles between two islands in Hawaii.

These feats have been turning heads and leaving other surfers to wonder if hydrofoils are the future of the sport.

Kraig Becker
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kraig Becker is a freelance outdoor writer who loves to hike, camp, mountain bike, trail run, paddle, or just about any other…
Save up to $50 on EGO power tool bundles at Amazon today
Ego Lawn Mower

Power tools are available from several noteworthy brands, and nothing screams “deal” like sweeping markdowns on hardware from a company like EGO. As we speak, Amazon is offering numerous discounts on a number of terrific EGO products, making this one of the best times to save big on DIY gear like mowers, chainsaws, and lighting rigs! Want more power tool options? Check out our list of the best power tool deals featuring brands like Dewalt, Milwaukee, and Ryobi.

Why you should buy EGO power tool bundles
At the time of writing, there are several great EGO tools on sale, but we’d like to highlight some of the best markdowns we came across. One such offer was for the EGO Power+ CS1604 16-inch Cordless Chainsaw. At full price, this model costs $300, but today it’s marked down to $200. This IPX4-rated battery-powered saw delivers up to 6,800 RPM, making it ideal for cutting hard and soft woods, tree branches, and more. The included 56V battery should also get you around 250 cuts on a full charge.

Read more
Everyone should have a LifeStraw in their emergency kit — only $13 today
Someone using a LifeStraw in a puddle.

With Amazon having just announced the return of its Prime Big Deal Days event in October, the retailer has also launched some great sales right now. One such awesome discount is on the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter. It normally costs $20 but right now, it’s down to $13 so you’re saving $7 or 33% off the regular price. If you regularly hike and explore, you seriously need this in your collection. Here’s a look at why but bear in mind that the deal will end soon.

Why you should buy the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
If you travel off the beaten path regularly, you need one of the best water purifiers. After all, we all need water to live and water you come across on your outdoor adventures is almost always contaminated. Whether you’re thinking to protect your weekly hikes or a much bigger trip, the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter will help.

Read more
Best grill deals: Summer savings on gas, charcoal, and pellet grills
People grilling outside.

While summer is on it's way out, the weather is still warm and good enough to do some grilling, and if you haven't had a chance yet, then there are quite a few nice grills you can snag for yourself before summer is over. Whether it's an outdoor grills or grills and smokers, there's a surprising variety out there, and there has even been a boom in smaller and portable grills that are great for picnics or camping, so if it opens up a lot more activities. Either way, we've tried to save you a bit of hassle by going out and collecting some of our favorite grill deals below.
Megamaster Charcoal Kettle Grill  -- $65, was $129

For a classic backyard barbecue at a more affordable price than most grills you can turn to the Megamaster Charcoal Kettle Grill. It’s a charcoal grill with a total cooking area of 245 square inches, and it makes for one of the simplest grilling experiences available. At 18.5 inches wide, you have quite a lot of space to put larger or longer items on the grills plus the little rack at the bottom is great for any sort of additional storage while you're grilling, making this a very convenient option.

Read more