Kai Lenny has crossed all channels of the Hawaiian Islands to raise awareness of plastic pollution.
The Downwind Voyage for Change was a huge success. The waterman completed the expedition using hydrofoils shortboards, kiteboards, and stand-up paddleboards.
Lenny participated in local beach clean-ups at Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu and Kauai every time he completed a crossing challenge.
The water sports enthusiast, 24, partnered with Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, The 5 Gyres Institute, Hawaii Wildlife Fund, and Surfrider Foundation to collect plastic items that could be found on the Hawaiian shores.
It was the largest statewide beach cleanup ever organized in Hawaii. In Molokai, participants collected over three tons of plastic debris.
"We can clean up all day, but we gotta figure out a way to stop the flow and put a plug in it. I learned how much trash is in the ocean, and I really want to bring awareness to it and make it a preventable thing," noted Lenny.
The crossings were not an easy ride. Kai Lenny was confronted with strong currents, large swells, and powerful winds, as he rode his surf craft across the blue waters of the Hawaiian archipelago.
The Maui athlete also unofficially broke his own record set in 2016 at the Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships. This time, on a foil board, Lenny completed the crossing in 3 hours and 26 minutes - that's 41 minutes less that his previous record time.
"I feel like the door has officially been swung open to trying new things on this channel and in this sport," added Kai Lenny.
The Hawaiian waterman traveled a total of around 170 miles to connect all six islands.
The Downwind Voyage for Change | Crossings and Craft
Hawaii to Maui (50 miles): hydrofoil surfboard
Hawaii to Maui (50 miles): hydrofoil surfboard
Maui to Lanai (8.8 miles): hydrofoil kiteboard
Lanai to Molokai (9.3 miles): hydrofoil kiteboard
Molokai to Oahu (26 miles): hydrofoil stand-up paddle board
Oahu to Kauai (72 miles): sailboat