It was the standard sunny summer day on the north shore of Maui. A constant 22-knot wind blows down the coast, creating ideal downwind conditions on the 15km Maliko harbour run. A crew of foilers are packing down their gear in the harbour carpark, comparing split times and discussing the best lines for speed. To Jake Dailey’s disgust, one brave foiler starts patting the local feral cat. Another ops for the sanitary choice, lying down under the foot tap, turning on the water for a makeshift shower. Someone quickly dances barefoot across the hot pavement to grab cars for the next shuttle, while others sit under swaying palm trees seeking shade. Suddenly, a murmur ripples through the crew of foilers. Head swivels towards the harbour, and T30 tools are lifted from half-unscrewed bolts. Even the local cat sits up straight to see what’s going on.
In through the small bumps of harbour dances a peculiar sight. A 6’3” foiler navigates the bumps, carrying a paddle in his hand, pumping high on the mast and rapping a cutback. But the cause of the commotion isn’t his unique style, above average height, nor the ease he navigates the small bumps, but rather the unique board under his feet.“What on earth is that?” gasps Dave West. “No way he paddled that up!” exclaims Luke Atkinson. “Ahhh get away from me!” yells Jake as the feral cat slides past his leg. “That thing looks epic!” exclaims Hugh Mitchell. “Woahhhh” sighs John Mann as he uses the temporary distraction to check out Kane De Wild’s foil.The board in question appears to defy physics, short, stubby and off-white, it shares an uncanny resemblance to a bar of soap. So short that it looks like a prone board, it is unlike any other in the car park. Giovanni De Le Rosa continues casually down the boat ramp, blissfully unaware of the commotion he has just caused up in the car park. He picks up the tiny contraption, walks to the back of his van, pulls out an esky, and starts handing out soft drinks, coconut water and beers to the starstruck crew.“What are the dimensions of that board?” the crowd asked in unison, followed by the sound of ice-cold cans cracking open and contented sighs from the much-needed hydration. “6 foot by 17” and 90L”, replies Gio casually, “Oh, and I call it the Soap Bar”
1 h et 22 min