Hundreds of athletes, one legendary Hawaiian channel.
This week, hundreds of athletes from across the world are preparing for the world championship in downwind foiling, a cutting-edge ocean sport that sends riders flying above the water on hydrofoil boards. The race course crosses the legendary Kaʻiwi Channel, a roughly 40-mile / 36–42-mile stretch of open ocean between Molokai and Oahu that has long been known as the “Channel of Bones” for its powerful swells, shifting winds, and unforgiving conditions.
Launching from the rugged west end of Molokai near ʻIlio Point and finishing at Kaimana Beach on Oahu, the downwind foil world championship represents the pinnacle of the sport: a full-channel crossing where athletes must read the ocean in real time, linking open-ocean bumps and trade wind swells to stay airborne and fast.
What Is Downwind Foiling?
Downwind foiling uses hydrofoil boards that lift above the surface, allowing riders to glide on the energy of the ocean rather than relying solely on breaking waves. In Hawaii’s trade wind conditions, athletes pump their boards onto foil and then surf long, rolling swells, connecting one bump to the next for miles at a time.
The Molokai to Oahu race features multiple disciplines, including stand-up paddle (SUP) foil and wing foil, with divisions for men, women, juniors, and both escorted and unescorted riders. It is the final and most prestigious stop of the Downwind Foil World Tour and the Koa Kai Triple Crown, a series that links downwind races across Maui, Molokai, and Oahu.
