Although mixing standup paddlers with surfers on the same peak is not the norm, at Peahi there are times when, at least with certain people, the mix is acceptable. Kai Lenny is one surfer that has become a clear stand out at Peahi both on a surfboard and on an SUP. With paddle in hand, Kai has caught certainly some of the best waves of the season at Jaws. He has shown the world that standup paddling in big and critical waves can be something extraordinary. Being a top performing surfer in the lineup helps when you then paddle out on an SUP…nobody can question if you belong there or not.
The last big swell at Jaws this winter was in January. I went up to Peahi on a boat together with Kai from Kahului harbor early Wednesday morning. We arrived at the break just as the sun came up and it was already fairly windy. It was not supposed to be windy that day but clearly the forecast was wrong. As we were the first people there, Kai took advantage of the empty wave and towed into a few while he could. Tow surfing is still clearly the best way to take full advantage of riding the wave at Peahi…both in terms of performance and in terms of quantity…and Kai certainly made that point on the few waves he caught. While Victor Lopez towed Kai in, I rigged my windsurfing equipment. I ended up windsurfing several hours that day and got some really good waves. I was joined by Kai, Jason Polakow, Robby Swift, and a few other guys for a good session before the mass of surfers began to make their way out to the peak. Even though it was still quite windy, the surfers were ready to go and eventually took over the break. I caught a few waves on my standup gun at Jaws last winter, but was very uncomfortable being on the peak in the middle of so many surfers.
