Published January 12, 2015 12:00AM
Kai Lenny Wins First-Ever SUP Event at Pipeline
Stand-up prodigy continues dominance
Kai Lenny, pictured here in 2009, is a four-time Stand Up World Tour champion. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
On Friday, Hawaii-based waterman Kai Lenny won the inaugural Da Hui Backdoor Shootout stand-up paddleboard competition at the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii. It’s one of the few trophies the 21-year-old hadn’t previously hoisted during his emergence as the sport’s dominant figure.
“It was a privilege to go out at Pipeline and Backdoor with just friends and uncles!” Lenny, a Maui native, said via Facebook.
A four-time Stand-Up World Tour champion (2010-11, 2013-14), Lenny advanced through the semis and came from behind in the four-man final against early leader Keali’i Mamala.
Despite a low-scoring final with challenging conditions and few barrels, the contest was still considered a success for the sport, which had never been featured in a competitive setting at Pipeline. World Tour founder Tristan Boxford, speaking with SUP magazine, called it “a testament to where the sport is today.”
See highlights from the contest:
