Kai Lenny Paddles and Weaves Through Another 20-Foot Jaws Barrel

Originally posted on SURFER | By August Howell | Last updated Sep 3, 2024 6:00 PM ET

Most surfers brave enough to sit in the water at Jaws usually opt for one medium to experience the wave. There are people who opt only to paddle, some prefer the tow-in assist, while others leverage the wind to their advantage on the giant peaks.

Kai Lenny is not an average surfer, and he has dialed in Jaws across all those mediums. He paddles, tows, windsurfs and even foils the wave at a high level. It’s like he has a checklist tucked in his impact suit, and he can cross off maneuvers on each discipline. Flipping on a tow board? Foiling the left? Knifing a gun into the tube? Check, check, check.

The latter move is what brings us here today. It was one of Kai’s early rides from the start of the 2023-24 season. Just casually wielding a bulbous 9’4” under the hood of the biggest righthand barrel in the world.

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Kai’s surfboards look as varied as his skillset. For the past six years, Keith Tebul of KT Surfboards has made all of Lenny’s Jaws equipment. Both come from a wind sports background, so they are open-minded to trying different tech and shapes. Lately, Kai’s guns have resembled watertight missiles. Their EPS blanks are vacuum-sealed with strips of carbon. The boards have a wide nose that channels air over the top, while a weighted tail keeps the fins engaged in the wave.

They look unorthodox, but so is Kai’s surfing. Those features big and small all meant to give him control when he needs it most. Like getting barreled on a 20-footer for the umpteenth time.