The Rich Roll Podcast – Kai Lenny: The World’s Most Versatile Surfer On Adventure, Risk, & Turning Fear Into Fuel

Intro

In this episode of “The Rich Roll Podcast,” Rich Roll sits down with Kai Lenny, the world’s most versatile surfer, to discuss his approach to adventure, risk, and turning fear into fuel. Kai Lenny is known for his deep understanding and respect for the ocean’s changing conditions, and his ability to excel in various water sports like surfing, kiteboarding, hydrofoiling, and outrigger canoeing. Join Rich and Kai as they dive into the mindset, training, and philosophy that have propelled Kai to the top of his game.

Main Takeaways

Kai Lenny’s Versatility and Innovation

• Kai Lenny is a versatile waterman and wave rider, excelling in various water sports like surfing, kiteboarding, hydrofoiling, and outrigger canoeing.
• He sets goals that are out of his reach, but takes baby steps to achieve them.
• Competition pushes Lenny’s innovation and helps him discover who he really is in the moment.

The Thrill and Challenges of Big Wave Surfing

• Surfing on big waves can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and involve hitting steep and choppy waves.
• Kai finds the most potential for performance gain in any sport he participates in on big waves and sees it as the ultimate canvas for maneuvers.
• The fear factor of hitting a 50-foot lip while surfing is what makes it a challenge to perform aerial maneuvers.

Overcoming Fear and Embracing Challenges

• Fear can be a superpower and can help surfers overcome challenges and take risks.
• Learning to manage fear through breathing techniques can help surfers feel more confident and in control in the water.
• Setting a positive example for children is a powerful motivator to pursue one’s passions and push oneself to be better.

The Intersection of Sports, Innovation, and Personal Growth

• Kai’s philosophy and approach to physical, mental, and emotional excellence can elevate our relationship to craft, to sport, to career, to life.
• He constantly seeks to innovate and find performance irrespective of the conditions, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in his sport.
• Kai’s equipment has evolved based on going between different sports and learning from them, such as the technology learned from windsurfing that has directly affected how his big wave boards have been developed.

Balancing Competition, Personal Growth, and Connection with Nature

• Competing against oneself is more important than competing against others.
• Finding a healthy balance between contrasting experiences, such as innovation and progress versus connecting with oneself, is important for personal and professional growth.
• Surfing is a love for riding waves in different ways and is a job for Kai.

Summary

Kai Lenny: The World’s Most Versatile Surfer

In this episode of “The Rich Roll Podcast,” Rich Roll interviews Kai Lenny, a Maui born and bred athlete of extraordinary skill, finesse, and diversity in various water sports. Kai’s deep understanding and respect for the ocean’s changing conditions have propelled him to become the world’s most versatile surfer. He sets goals that push his limits and takes baby steps to achieve them, constantly innovating and discovering who he truly is in the moment. Kai’s approach to his career and performance, from mindset, training to visualization, can be seen in detail in the three seasons of “Life of Kai” from Red Bull TV on YouTube.

The Thrill and Challenges of Big Wave Surfing

Kai Lenny’s love for big wave surfing is evident in his pursuit of performance on the most massive waves. Riding big waves involves various dynamics, such as the speed of the wave, the suction of water, and the vertical pull of the water off the reef. The fear factor of hitting a 50-foot lip while surfing is what makes it a challenge to perform aerial maneuvers. Despite the risks involved, Kai finds the most potential for performance gain in any sport he participates in on big waves, seeing it as the ultimate canvas for maneuvers.

Overcoming Fear and Embracing Challenges

Fear can be a superpower for surfers, helping them overcome challenges and take risks. Kai Lenny emphasizes the importance of managing fear through breathing techniques, which can help surfers feel more confident and in control in the water. Setting a positive example for children is a powerful motivator for Kai to pursue his passions and push himself to be better. He believes that fear can be turned into something that helps you pull off incredible feats, and managing fear is a freeing feeling.

The Intersection of Sports, Innovation, and Personal Growth

Kai Lenny’s philosophy and approach to physical, mental, and emotional excellence can elevate our relationship to craft, sport, career, and life. He constantly seeks to innovate and find performance irrespective of the conditions, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in his sport. Kai’s equipment has evolved based on his experience in different sports, learning from them and incorporating the technology into his big wave boards. He believes in finding the gray areas in his sport and figuring out how to make something work in them, inventing things that could change the world.

Balancing Competition, Personal Growth, and Connection with Nature

For Kai Lenny, surfing is not just a sport but also a love for riding waves in different ways. He finds a balance between competition and personal growth, understanding that competing against oneself is more important than competing against others. Kai’s deep connection with nature and the ocean fuels his pursuit of excellence, pushing him to constantly challenge himself and break through limits. He believes that finding a healthy balance between contrasting experiences, such as innovation and progress versus connecting with oneself, is crucial for personal and professional growth.

Conclusion

Kai Lenny’s journey as the world’s most versatile surfer is a testament to his unwavering passion, dedication, and fearlessness. From pushing the boundaries of what is possible in big wave surfing to innovating equipment that could change the world, Kai’s approach to his craft and his connection with nature inspire us to pursue our passions and embrace challenges. Through his interviews and his series “Life of Kai,” he shares his experiences and insights, motivating others to do incredible things. Kai Lenny’s story reminds us that with the right mindset and determination, we can overcome our fears and achieve greatness.