Blue Highway: A Hydrofoil Adventure (Short Film)

Here at Foil Drive we are so stoked to finally share with you, Blue Highway: A Hydrofoil Adventure. Premiere is set for July 23nd 2024 with future events down the track. This film has gathered some of the best foilers together with the incredibly talented create, Matty Leong. We'll keep it short for now so you can enjoy the Trailer, but for now, check out some more info on upcoming screenings, more information from the riders, podcasts and more coming soon!

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Blue Highway: A Hydrofoil Adventure
A Short Film by Foil Drive

A short film by Foil Drive capturing the beauty of the Kaiwi Channel, Hawaii. Join our voyagers as they traverse this legendary waterway, offering a fresh perspective on a place typically filled with the chaos and excitement of race season. This time, we come together as a team to focus on the energy of the ocean, the Blue Highway.

The crossing follows the path of the esteemed race, Moloka’i to O’ahu (M2O), a passage celebrated as an accomplishment regardless of the craft. The assisted power of Foil Drive, this route becomes accessible for some, reimagining the experience for seasoned adventurers and newcomers alike. From the playful swell of the shoreline, to the depths of the channel, prepare to enter the deep in a whole new way.

Featuring: Jack Ho, Josh Ku, Kahi Pacarro & Paul Cooper
Directed By: Matty Leong
Photography: Slater Neborsky, Nick Yee, Joey Samante
Produced By: Foil Drive & Josh Ku

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WATCH THE TRAILER
Check out the Official Trailer, we recommend full screen for this one (click the Image)

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WHERE TO WATCH
A great film deserves a great Premiere! We are not only hosting a main premiere evening in Hawaii, but will he hosting multiple mini premieres around the world ahead of the public online release! Check out how you can watch Blue Highway below.

RSVP to the Foil Drive Global event here for all updates: 
CLICK HERE
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 HONOLULU, HAWAII (MAIN EVENT)

 MICHIGAN, USA (ONLINE EVENT)
Date: 27 July 2024
Host: MAC Kite
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OREGON, USA  (HOOD RIVER)
Date: 27 July 2024
Host: Windance
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 VISTORIA, AUSTRALIA
Date: 30 July 2024
Host: Poseidon Sports
Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/464949476465740
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 NORTH MANLY, SYDNEY AUSTRALIA
Date: 31 July 2024
Host: WSS Boards
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 QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
Date: 1 August 2024
Host: Surf FX and Foil Drive

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CROSSING DETAILS

Words by Jack Ho

The Kaiwi channel is the biggest stadium in ocean racing sports world. For decades now, people have been crossing this 32 mile channel on various crafts, in effort to prove themselves and their ocean ability. With the modernization of the foil in 2018, it was only a matter of time before interisland racing in Hawaii leveled up. The foil has opened so many new and exciting opportunities to connect the Hawaiian Islands. A crossing that used to take 6 hours is now cut down to 2 hours on the foil.

The invention of the Foil Drive has opened up an even broader scale for people to explore and get creative. Finding spots that haven't been surfed, seeking waves that are nearly impossible to get to by paddling, or even having an extra security of safety if you fall. All these things came to mind when I was brainstorming an idea to capture the magic of Foil Drive. However, crossing the Kaiwi channel on our prone surf foil boards was the one that stood out most.

Moloka'i is a sacred place. The people, the beauty, and the culture are all so alive within the land. Each time a crossing takes place, gratitude is at the forefront. Having that gratitude of the people of the land, the ones who came before, and the ones who are paving the way for future generations to come. The morning of the crossing was as perfect as it could be. We drove our boats across the channel at dawn, in light wind - near glass conditions.

This is rare for a typical morning to have wind but still be so calm on the water. Sure enough, as soon as we got to Moloka'i, the wind kicked in and the channel awakened. The ride across Kaiwi was just about as fun as you can imagine.

Just you and your buddies laughing and riding together for 32 miles, pinching ourselves on how we all ended up here together. The highlight of the event was realizing how we are all connected. Connected by the ocean and this sport we all love to do. Mahalo Foil Drive for taking a chance on my team and I and I am so grateful to have brought my close friends and mentors along with me for the journey.

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CREATORS PROFILES
Learn more about our videographers, editors and photographers 
Description: Join us for the Main Premiere of Blue Highway at the Coconut Club in Honolulu! Meet the riders and enjoy some beers supplied by film sponsor, Kona Brewing while catching up with the local crew and those who've flown in on the back of race season! 

We'll have some door prizes up for grabs including a Foil Drive voucher for one lucky guest!

Please RSVP
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RIDER PROFILES

Blue Highway not only highlights an incredible journey but features some some really incredible riders. Names you've heard before, all at different levels of downwidning and foildriving. Without these guys we wouldn't have a film so we highly recommend reaching out, sharing your stoke and following these guys for more foiling, watersports and foildrving.

JOSH KU
Instagram: @joshku

Josh is the only non local, coming to Hawaii from Australia. While Josh has a stack of downwinding under his belt, it's his first attempt of this crossing with a Foil Drive and a more or less unknown area for him. Josh is the only rider on the Slim system with the Performance Battery, really pushing the boundaries of what's possible with such a small foil assist system.

His downwinding skills a benefit and his Foildriving knowledge pair for a solid crossing, the only concern if he's going to make it all the way!

Foil Drive Kit
Foil Drive Assist Slim
Slim Performance Battery
12cm Motor Cable
Three Blade Propeller

Sponsors
Code Foils
Kaohi Leashes
Follow Brand
Amos Shapes

Foil Setup
Code 860R
Code 120R Tail
Code 80cm Mast
Code Medium Fuselage

Board
Amos Shapes KrUzer

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JACK HO
Instagram: @jackfromtown

Jack is your local young gun! We're pretty sure he does this crossing even in his sleep. Take his downwind board away, replace it with a prone and a Foil Drive, he's now in some deep water. A familiar location but a really new way of tackling it. The most recent foildriver of them all, Jack's journey is more of how to attack this crossing in a new way.

Foil Drive Kit
Foil Drive Assist MAX
MAX Power Battery
12cm Motor Cable
Three Blade Propeller

Sponsors
F One
Patagonia
Voyager Foiler

Foil Setup
Fone 85cm Mast
Fone 800 Eagle X
Fone Monobloc 145 DW Tail
Fone XS Fuse

Board
Fone 4’3 Rocket Surf

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KAHI PACARRO
Instagram: @instakahi

Kahi is also familiar with the crossing but with experience wouldn't typically cross the channel of the bones. After spending some time on Foil Drive as of late, Kahi is keen to explore new potentials in downwinding, taking on the crossing with a new tool he's come to love.

Foil Drive Kit
Foil Drive Assist MAX
MAX Power Battery
12cm Motor Cable
Three Blade Propeller

Sponsors
Lift Foils
Majek Boards

Foil Setup
Lift Extender 28"x2 Mast
Lift 120 HA
Lift 26 Carve Tail

Board
5'1 Burner by Majek

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PAUL COOPER
Instagram: @paulcooperfoils

While Paul has the local knowledge and (fair to say!) is one of the best Foil Drive riders around, he's never done the crossing in his life. Totally new to downwinding with only 3 runs under his belt, Paul is taking a look at a whole new world away from his familiar airs and clean carves in the surf.

Foil Drive Kit
Foil Drive Assist MAX
MAX Power Battery
12.5cm Motor Cable
3 Blade Propeller

Sponsors
Unifoil
Majek Boards
Kaohi Leash
Buck n Bass
One by One Foil
Armoured Labs Protection


Foil Setup
Unifoil DW Prototype
Medium Aluminum Fuse
Progression 13.5 tail 1 shim
Progression 800 Mast

Board
Majek Mini-B 4’5 x 17 x 31L

MATTY LEONG
Director
Instagram: @mattaleong
Website: www.mattyleong.com

SLATER NEBORSKY
Photographer
Instagram: @slaterneborsky

NICK YEE
FPV Pilot
Instagram: @yeefpv

JOEY SAMANTE
Drone Pilot
Instagram: @joeysamante

JOSH KU
Producer
Instagram: @joshku

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