Kai Lenny swaps Hawaii for Weymouth (From Bournemouth Echo)

Kai Lenny swaps Hawaii for Weymouth

HAWAIIAN teenager Kai Lenny swapped 15-metre waves for ‘ankle-deep ones’ when he kitesurfed on the borough’s Olympic-class waters.

Kai Lenny kitesurfing in Weymouth Bay - picture:

The 17-year-old kitesurfer wowed fellow watersport enthusiasts as he performed jumps and tricks in Weymouth Bay as he toured through Europe to promote his sponsor Oxbow.

Kai, who is also a keen surfer, windsurfer and stand-up paddleboarder, enjoyed being out on the water so much that he ran an hour behind schedule as his tour organisers waited to whisk him off to Cornwall.

He said: “Where I live in Hawaii the waves can get up to 15 metres or bigger but at the end of the day, it’s just about having fun and whenever I get on the water I have so much fun.

“Here the waves were maybe ankle deep and I still didn’t want to come in.

“It’s my first time to Weymouth, I’m promoting Oxbow and travelling through Europe, experiencing all the cultures.

“This is probably one of my favourite stops so far, coming through England. I really like the food, the atmosphere is really cool and everyone helping me out has been really on it,”

Kai has been sponsored by big names such as Red Bull since he was nine and began surfing aged four.

He added: “I’m sponsored for having fun and competing but competing is a lot of fun for me so it doesn’t feel like a job.

“My advice is to just do what you dream of and that anything is possible.”

Kai also held autograph signings and interviews at Windtek Watersports shop in Portland Road and Second Wind surf shop at Bowleaze Coveway Nick Russell, Windtek manager, said: “Kia is one of the best in the world and not just for his age.

“Some of the people he sails with day to day, like Laird Hamilton, are also pretty inspiring.

“We’ve had a couple of professionals to Weymouth over the years and it’s always good to get them down here.

“I was out on a windsurf when Kai was kitesurfing and he was pretty cheeky – he sat on the front of my board and we were flying along with the power of both the kite and sail.”

Terry Sallow, Second Wind owner, said: “Kai is a big name Hawaii surfer – he surfs Jaws, the world’s biggest wave.

“He’s here to support the brand Oxbow, which is distributed through Windtek and Second Wind and to promote the watersports opportunities here in the borough.”

The teenager’s next stop was Watergate Bay, Cornwall to meet up with surf champions Ben Skinner and Ollie Adams.