A Crowd of None: The First O'ahu to Kaua'i Foil Crossing

At ages 16 and 18, Lift Foils team riders Mala'e McElheny and Brady Hurley just redefined what's possible in the world of foiling. On August 23rd, they became the first people to foil across the Ka'ie'ie Waho Channel from O'ahu to Kaua'i—a journey spanning 100 miles of open ocean.

"For both of us, that was the most mentally challenging thing we've ever done," shares Brady. "Towards the middle, we were both kind of questioning why we even wanted to do this."

The magnitude of their achievement becomes clear when you consider the numbers: 86.9 nautical miles, nearly seven hours of continuous foiling, and over four hours without seeing land. For 70 of those miles, they were surrounded only by ocean and horizon.

"During those times, it's super hard to stay motivated," Mala'e reflects. "I'm the type of person where if I start something, I have to finish it and make it happen. Throughout the most difficult parts of the run, all I was thinking about is how satisfying it will be once we complete the crossing."

Both riders have been foiling for seven years, watching the sport evolve from its early days. Their experience and dedication to pushing boundaries made this crossing possible.

"It's pretty wild to look back at the gear we were riding seven years ago and how it has evolved over that time," says Mala'e. "Nowadays, we're riding super long and narrow SUP boards, the foils are a lot higher aspect and way more efficient compared to how they used to be."

The journey wasn't just about distance—it was about connection. For Mala'e, growing up on the North Shore of O'ahu, this crossing deepened his connection to Hawaiian waters. "Out of everything I've done, this crossing made me feel the most connected to the ocean because of how far away from land we were. It made me realize how big and unpredictable the ocean is."

What's next for these young watermen? While they're keeping their next adventure under wraps, one thing's certain: they've opened up new possibilities for the sport. "With the way things are progressing right now, there will for sure be a foiling race from O'ahu to Kaua'i in the near future," predicts Brady.

For those inspired by their achievement, Brady offers this advice: "Be ultra prepared and know your limits—the ocean is unpredictable and you never know what could happen. Prior to the journey, you want to be thinking about when you are going to finish, not if you are going to finish."

Follow Brady and Mala'e on Instagram and keep up with their progression as they continue to push the boundaries of what's possible on foil.

THE CROSSING WAS COMPLETED ON:

• Lift Foils 8'6" Flying Cat and Malolo SUP boards by Amundson Customs
• Florence 110x + Florence 21x wings
• 32" M2 Masts
• Black Project Foil-X paddles

GET THEIR GEAR:

• Malolo Downwind SUP Board
• Foil-X Paddle by Black Project
• Airtex Long Sleeve Hooded Shirt

8’6 x 110L Flying Cat

$2,600.00

The 8’6 is our race and channel crossing machine. The narrow 17” width and extended length make it easy to paddle small surface area foils into flight. This board has been competition-tested and has over a half dozen podium finishes. The 8’6 features a lighter race lamination, ensuring the extra length doesn’t add additional weight. Each board comes with a custom fit bag ready for daily and travel use.Shop Now

Back Wing - Florence 21 X

$305.00

The Florence 21 X mixes traits from the 25Glide, 20Carve, and 21Flow all in the name of making an ultra high performance downwind tail. The result is a tail that Nathan describes as “being covered in dish soap, the glide is psycho”. The medium length fuselage provides just enough stability, while the low angle of incidence provides limitless glide to connect bumps. Vs. 20 Carve The Florence 21 X has a longer fuselage and lower angle of incidence. Result = More glide and stability at the sacrifice of more drawn out turns. Vs. 25 Glide The Florence 21 X has a similar length fuselage but higher angle of incidence and smaller surface area wing. Result = More front foot pressure and similar glide. Vs. 21 Flow The Florence 21 X has a shorter fuselage and lower angle of incidence. Result = More glide and tighter turns at the sacrifice of stability.Shop Now

Front Wing - Florence 110 X

$950.00

The Florence 110 X is based on the DNA of the thoroughbred 110 High Aspect X, but with a side of user friendliness rarely seen in wings of this size and aspect ratio. The increased camber enhances the low-end use-ability while the high modulus carbon construction gives you precision control. Don’t let the increased low-end fool you, this wing can still win any downwind race on the planet. Vs. 110 High Aspect X The 110 Florence X provides improved low-end performance and a more rigid frame. Compared to the 110 High Aspect X, a small amount of top-end speed is sacrificed. Vs. 120 High Aspect The 110 Florence X has increased efficiency and glide due to the higher aspect ratio. However, the wider wingspan sacrifices a slight amount of roll in the turns compared to the 120 High Aspect.Shop Now

M2 Series Mast - 32"

$1,529.00

The M2 Series masts feature the stiffest high-modulus carbon fiber we can get our hands on, with the same ultra-efficient mast profile featured in our Classic Series. Simply put, it’s the stiffest mast we’ve ever produced, all without sacrificing efficiency. If you want the highest performance mast possible, look no further. The 32” mast is the perfect choice when the surf gets a little bigger and faster. The increased height provides more room for error and enables you to bank tight turns without the wing tips breaching the surface. NOTE: This is a mast only, to be used for classic (non eFoil) foiling only. If you have an eFoil, you need a propulsion system, which is a complete unit comprised of a mast, motor, and propeller. WHAT'S INCLUDED: 32" Mast Hardware Kit Protective CoverShop Now