The Yin And Yang Of Josh Ku

No doubt you heard about Josh Ku's recent foil crossing from Bali to Java.

Josh, who's 34-years old and comes from Sydney's Eastern Beaches, was at sea for four-and-a-half hours during the 92 kilometre crossing in late June.

"I was dealt a super difficult card," said Josh afterwards, referring to large seas and unpredictable currents, saying it made, "the Molokai to Oahu crossing in Hawaii seem like a walk in the park."

The idea for the crossing had apparently been brewing for some time. The goal was to pioneer a new kind of adventure while illustrating how foiling was born out of surfing. The choice of crossing was inspired, connecting two of Indonesia's marquee surf spots with a single foil run.

Not being a foiler myself, I'm sure much of the skill and danger is lost on me, though not the fitness: it was clearly a marathon effort, and after rounding the bay then connecting a wave from Kong's through Money Trees into Speedies - itself a noteworthy ride - Josh collapsed near the boat channel.

The stunt wasn't quite over, however, as Josh put away his futuristic hoverboard and picked up a medieval blade - in this case an 8'0" Lopez single-fin downrailer, shaped by Peter McCabe and carbon glassed by Lucid - and swooped into a few at Money Trees.

“It paddled like a dream and locked into the tube effortlessly,” said Josh. “I really like how this board slows things down and makes you focus on drawing the right line to exit the tube.” 

Yes, the whole thing was a marketing stunt, and yes it was filmed for an upcoming sponsored doco that "marks a symbolic convergence of eras", but Josh dips a lid to all the right people, and who can deny a stylish goofy riding a stealth black singley at one of the world's great waves.

Not I.

Following are a series of photos of Josh riding the blade at Money Trees, all taken by Dane Wilson. When the movie comes out we'll run screening info on Swellnet.

(Dane Wilson)

(Dane Wilson)

(Dane Wilson)

(Dane Wilson)

Peter McCabe, at left, and the board in detail (Lucid Glassing)