Downwind Foiling Month July in Hawaii

Maui Becomes Global Epicenter for Downwind Foiling as Watersports Community Gathers

MAUI, HI — July 2025 — The global watersports spotlight is once again on Maui this July, as hundreds of athletes and enthusiasts converge on the island’s legendary north shore for what has become a long-standing tradition: downwind racing. For nearly two decades, Maui has been the spiritual home of ocean paddling, and we opened up new chapter in its storied history — the rise of SUP foiling as it begun a few years ago.

The roots of this movement trace back to the late 2000s, when stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) began gaining traction alongside established prone paddleboard races like the Hennessey Paddleboard Championships. As SUP downwind pioneers began entering these events, a new era was born. By 2015, races like the Olukai SUP Race were drawing crowds of up to 300 participants, cementing Maui as the epicenter of the sport.

But as trends shifted, so did the sport. The introduction of hydrofoils — spearheaded by innovators like Kai Lenny, who first mounted a foil to a SUP raceboard — began to reshape the landscape. The pandemic accelerated this transition, with many athletes turning to wing foiling and downwind foiling as new frontiers. Dave Kalama’s invention of the Barracuda, a foil-friendly SUP board, further fueled the movement, making the sport more accessible and exciting.

By 2018, the buzz was undeniable. Even surf icons like John John Florence were drawn to the sport, signaling its growing influence beyond the paddling world.

See what riders had to say in 2018

Now in 2025, the momentum has returned in full force. Over 200 SUP foilers have arrived on Maui for a 10-day celebration of downwind racing, echoing the energy and enthusiasm of the SUPs sport’s golden years. The lineup includes legendary names like, Kai Lenny, James Casey, Olivia Piana, Armie Armstrong, Andrea Moller and local heroes such as , Jeremy Riggs, Livio Menelau, Devin Blish and many more — all returning to compete in iconic events like Paddle Imua, the Maui2Molokai (M2M), and the Molokai2Oahu (M2O) channel crossings.

The new generation is also making waves. Rising stars like Kane De Wilde, Edo Tanas, Cash Berzolla, Annie Reickert, Gabriella Bella, and the Spencer brothers are pushing the sport forward, blending youthful energy with the cutting-edge technology for the foil industry.

With over 200 athletes — both seasoned veterans and fresh talent — the next 10 days promise to be a full-throttle celebration of innovation, community, and ocean passion. Maui, once again, stands at the heart of it all.

We at the Stand Up Magazin will be in the midst of it all and will supply you with premium content from all the happenings.

This was the paddleIMUA 2024