Never thought this would happen .
Funny article by Chis Parker at Sup racer on it (tongue in cheek)
www.supracer.com/kai-lenny-signs-with-starboard/
Kai's Facebook page below , plus he has also done a farewell to Naish video on his Instagram kai_lenny
I'd say we'll see a 'Kai' brand soon, same way Robby Naish did when he left Gaastra etc. back in the day. The 'going to Starboard' thing is from 2014 and is a piss-take
WOW!!!! Big news indeed.
Just watched his latest movie on my new 75" TV - bloody awesome
Select to expand quoteScotty Mac said..
Hope someone is looking after DJ right now
I've got the black arm band on..
Starting his own brand is a big big move considering the level of equipment and RnD naish have set up for all the sports he does.
Starboard couldn't supply him with the goods he needs for all the sports he does, could they? Could fanatic?. Can't think of a brand that could.
Surf
big wave surf
sup surf
sup race
windsurf
kite surf
foil everything
These are all major aspects of his whole waterman package
what other brand has all that?
A Kai Lenny brand is a long long road to get all that to the standard and range that naish already has.
Would need some big big dollars from a big big money man to set up all the water sports range that he uses.
Well what ever Kai decides to do, good luck to him. He is a very down to earth human being and one of the nicest champions you could meet.
Select to expand quoteScotty Mac said..
Well what ever Kai decides to do, good luck to him. He is a very down to earth human being and one of the nicest champions you could meet.
Agree with that! Couldn't ask for a better poster boy for the lifestyle.
Select to expand quoteAndyR said..
Starting his own brand is a big big move considering the level of equipment and RnD naish have set up for all the sports he does.
Starboard couldn't supply him with the goods he needs for all the sports he does, could they? Could fanatic?. Can't think of a brand that could.
Surf
big wave surf
sup surf
sup race
windsurf
kite surf
foil everything
These are all major aspects of his whole waterman package
what other brand has all that?
A Kai Lenny brand is a long long road to get all that to the standard and range that naish already has.
Would need some big big dollars from a big big money man to set up all the water sports range that he uses.
Starboard could easily do that as Svein is (I believe so) part owners of Airush, Severne and of course starboard windsurf.
I agree a new brand would be a gamble.
Good luck to him. As Scotty said. He's a down to earth legend and I feel very privileged to not only have been able to share some waves supping with him but also kiting.
well by the look of their instagrams (I'm aware that makes me look tragic) they spent the day he announced the departure hiking together. Firewire/slater designs will pick up the foil/surf/bigwave side of things and he'll probably just use custom big wave sups. For windsurf/kite he'll just use whatever he wants I guess. Dunno about SUP race.... customs probably. I guess foil will be the driver and he deserves to profit from it more than just as a team rider. I predict a lenny foil brand under the firewire umbrella.... like Rob Machado has.
Select to expand quoteAfter 16 years of being a Naish team rider, Kai has decided to move on to other frontiers.
Kai has assured us that he is not leaving Naish for another brand, but simply wants the freedom to ride whatever he wants, whenever he wants, however he wants - without any restrictions or obligations.
His focus has also changed in recent times, spending much less time stand up paddling, windsurfing and kitesurfing, and much more time surfing and foiling.
Kai has been an inspiration to us all and it will be exciting to see where his creativity and skills take him in the future.
As mentioned above in this thread, Kai is a very humble, nice and approachable young man who has achieved more than most could ever imagine.
Naish, Naish Australia and myself personally wish him all the best in the future.
JB
Select to expand quoteAndyR said..
Starting his own brand is a big big move considering the level of equipment and RnD naish have set up for all the sports he does.
Starboard couldn't supply him with the goods he needs for all the sports he does, could they? Could fanatic?. Can't think of a brand that could.
Surf
big wave surf
sup surf
sup race
windsurf
kite surf
foil everything
These are all major aspects of his whole waterman package
what other brand has all that?
A Kai Lenny brand is a long long road to get all that to the standard and range that naish already has.
Would need some big big dollars from a big big money man to set up all the water sports range that he uses.
Sunova...
He's moving to Helensburgh and joining the Surefire team. He'll be sweeping the shaping room and doing coffee runs for Mick. 
I heard he's gunna be the new STIG on top gear
Who cares where he goes. Are you all gunna go out and buy that board cause he rides that now?
Seems like a nice guy and a good ambassador for all the water sports he's into Good luck to him where ever he goes 
Select to expand quoteSupsailDave said..
Who cares where he goes. Are you all gunna go out and buy that board cause he rides that now?
Probably will
don't worry
NAISH folks ,he'll be back ,
one day.....people always come home to settle ,
at the mo he's just following his career options .
I care cos my money will be going to these lucky ppl and I see a pattern here, kai, mo & miss gomez in a new team
