Growing up on Kauai, I often saw Laird paddling out the mouth of the Hanalei River. At the time, hydrofoils hadn’t yet entered my consciousness. I was just a kid on the beach. If only I could’ve known of the revolution that was brewing right there in front of me and would eventually spill, full bore, into my life all these years later.
As a waterman, Laird needs little introduction. His role as one of the father figures in modern hydrofoiling is, publicly, a story riddled with snapshots taken over more than two decades. In foiling circles, it borders on myth. I hope our conversation shines some light on the lesser-known moments that lead to where we’re at in 2022. Laird may be a pioneer, but we all share in his story…
COURTESY OF LAIRD APPAREL (UNLESS SPECIFIED)
Kjell: I know Malibu is partly home for you. Is that where you are currently?
Laird: It is. I’ve been splitting the seasons for 25 years with winter base in Hawaii, summer base in California. This is the first season we’ve been in California all year, which is fine since the North Pacific weather patterns haven’t been great anyways.
Kjell: I feel that. I lived in Santa Barbara for the last few years and the surf seasons can definitely be mild. When you’re in California, do you foil much?
Laird: I take out the e-foil or wingding when it’s windy and do some coast runs. I train on the e-foil a lot because of the speed. Small wave riding doesn’t really give me the speed I need to stay in shape for bigger surf, so the e-foil is a great training device. In 45 minutes, I can burn my legs out and practice going fast.
Kjell: A mutual friend of ours just got into the e-foil and he’s digging it, they’re cool. Before we talk e-foils, let’s go way back. Can you take us to the genesis of standing on a hydrofoil? What happened with that very first Air Chair you rode?
Laird: My first real relationship with hydrofoiling was with Sea Flite. That was
