Kai Lenny at the Red Bull Energy Station 2023 at Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
The 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix temporarily transformed Las Vegas into a Formula One racetrack. At the end of November, months of construction and more than a few last-minute debacles finally concluded in a 6.2km, 17-turn race through the city’s neon-soaked streets. Spectators gathered to watch the world’s best drivers blister past classic Vegas landmarks like Caesars Palace, the Bellagio and the Venetian.
Among the racing devotees gathered in the city to watch the spectacle go down was big wave surfer and multi-hyphenate waterman Kai Lenny. As it turns out, he’s a long-time F1 fan. His sponsor, Red Bull, also happens to own two F1 teams, so he got to be there right next to the action for the Grand Prix.
We reached out to Kai to find out what exactly it is about car racing that appeals to a big wave surfer, and the surprising crossovers he found between the sports.
What is it about F1 that drew you in?
I appreciate the athleticism and training of drivers, combined with the engineering/technology from the teams. I find it really interesting, there’s just so much to learn and think about.
Who are your favorite drivers/teams?
Red Bull Racing is for sure the team I follow the most. I’ve dedicated my boards to looking as similar as possible to them for the past 6 years (laughs). As far as the drivers, the ones I’ve been able to meet have been really cool, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Alex Albon, Lewis Hamilton. I’ve spent the most time with Lewis since he likes to surf and have scored some super fun waves with him.
Do you think your experience as a surfer makes you relate to F1 drivers?
Part of the draw to watch Formula One is the fact that it’s completely different than what I do, but at the same time there are similarities. Most notably between big wave surfing and F1, (the similarities are) the handling of fear, quick decision making and the pressure to perform. For F1, the pressure to perform is retaining your seat on a team or just staying in F1. With big waves it’s to perform without getting pounded by a huge wave. In big waves you’re only as good as your last session, which is similar to F1 where you’re only as good as your last race. I won’t pretend to know exactly what F1 drivers experience, but from afar that’s where there’s similarities.
The Red Bull Energy Station at Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix. Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
How would you compare the relationship between surfer and shaper to the relationship between driver and constructor?
My relationship with my shaper is about as close to F1 as you can get in our world. Keith Taboul at KT surfing has been working with the best materials and developing the most innovative design ideas. We draw a ton of inspiration from the formula one and the Americas cup sailing through their aerodynamic innovations, as well as hydrodynamic innovations. You’ve noticed my boards recently they’re starting to take on more and more unique design ideas and shapes. I still think there’s so much to develop, it’s pretty exciting.
Is there anything the surfing world could learn from F1?
I think there’s a lot to learn from F1 and it’s as simple as just looking at how the cars are designed, specifically around their aerodynamics. That’s what I’ve been really studying every time I watch a race, because there might be one key feature that I could implement into a board. Surf designers and shapers are similar in this way where they’re willing to test all sorts of crazy ideas. I think surfboard companies can definitely experiment more with exotic materials that can do the same thing as the classic polyester surfboard, but retaining its strength and durability. I think for surfers themselves they could definitely keep a more open mind to development and trying new designs with their equipment.
What was your most memorable moment from the Las Vegas Grand Prix?
My most memorable moment from the race was getting to do a hot lap with Liam Lawson in the Ford Darkhorse. To see the track from that perspective and get just a small taste of what speed these guys are traveling at was really impressive! We were going around 180 mph and the F1 cars are going well over 200 mph but with 20 cars in total nearly crashing into one another.
