Kai Lenny (born October 8, 1992) is an American professional big wave surfer, stand-up paddle (SUP) surfer and racer, surfer, tow-in surfer, windsurfer, kitesurfer, wing foiler and celebrity watersports enthusiast. Lenny lives on Maui.
Career
Lenny achieved recognition in 2012 with first place at the Hawaii Island Finals SUP pro, and first place at the Sunset Beach SUP pro.
Kai Lenny claimed the SUP racing world champion title when he won the seasons finals of the first Standup World Series championship races held at Turtle Bay Resort, O'ahu, Hawaii on 13–14 September 2012.
In February 2020 Lenny won the Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge, at Praia do Norte, in Portugal. The contest ran in massive waves and included the participation of the best big wave riders in the world.
He is also known for big beach clean-ups in Hawaii.
Kai is a Red Bull athlete.
Positively Kai Foundation
In May 2021, Lenny established the nonprofit Positively Kai Foundation of Puunene, Maui. Following the August 2023 Maui wildfires, the Positively Kai Foundation announced "All donations go to the families affected by the Lahaina and Kula Fires." The Positively Kai Foundation website added that the Fidelity National Title & Escrow of Hawaii provided a matching funds drive in August 2024. In 2023, $25,000 was donated by the Tulsi Gabbard associated nonprofit We Must Protect, which was established in the state of Hawaii in January 2021, to the Positively Kai Foundation. Lenny appeared in Tulsi Gabbard's video of her 2023 visit to Maui after the fires.
Personal life
Lenny is married to Maui-based interior designer Molly Payne. The couple recently announced the gender of their expected twins with Lenny surfing a wave with a pink flare.
References
External links
- Kai Lenny at the World Surf League
