Video: Two Dudes Kayak Surf Gigantic, Potentially Record-Breaking Wave
Canoe surfing, particularly in an outrigger, is an ancient Polynesian tradition.
The plastic, cookie-cutter kayaks you find at Costco and lining the beach at Sandals Resorts, those are not in accordance with the rich history of sit-down surfing. Nor are they designed to catch waves – let alone waves of substantial magnitude.
But apparently, these two dudes didn’t get the memo.
Meet Kelson Lau and Reef Toscano, two Maui surfers and experienced watermen, who decided to take one of the plastic, awkward, uncomfortable, non-ergonomically designed two-person kayaks out on a massive day at Ho’okipa.
Per their claim, it was the “Biggest Wave Ever Surfed On A 2 Man Kayak!”
And maybe there’s no other entries in that extremely niche field of world records to actually challenge their claim. So…they did it?
Possibly. Someone call Guinness.
In terms of big wave surfing in an outrigger canoe, there is some competition. Well, not officially. But back in 1980, a handful of watermen had a go at the title at an outer reef on Oahu. Surf historian Matt Warshaw tells the tale:
“In 1980, Hawaiian canoeist Tommy Holmes organized Project Avalanche, an attempt by three veteran canoe surfers (Holmes included) to paddle into a 20-foot wave at a Hawaiian break called Avalanche, on the North Shore of Oahu. The team caught two 20-foot waves, wiped out spectacularly on both, but earned coverage in both Surfer and Surfing magazines.”
As for Kelson and Reef from above, wonder what the ancient Polynesians would think. It was, of course, somewhat in jest; after the session, the duo said:
“It was a good day. We definitely made an impact on the Ho’okipa surfing life.”
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