In a milestone for the foiling world, Australian waterman and Amos Shapes team rider Joshua Ku has become the first person to complete a stand-up paddle (SUP) hydrofoil crossing from Uluwatu, Bali to G-Land, Java.
The 92-km open-ocean journey was achieved on his 7’6” Cypher downwind foilboard, designed and built entirely by Ballina-based Amos Shapes and Lucid Glassing, and equipped with a Code Foils hydrofoil.
The idea for this crossing had been in Mr Ku’s mind for some time. He says his goal was to pioneer something new — to show how the evolving discipline of foiling can open the door to untapped challenges and ocean adventures.
‘In a world where everything is at our fingertips and already mapped out, I wanted this story to feel different,’ he said. ‘In the ’70s, surfers would cross the Bali Strait in tiny dinghies, with no idea what the surf or conditions would be like. I wanted to channel that same spirit of uncertainty and adventure.’
The crossing, which took 4 hours and 30 minutes, was supported by a safety crew and captured on film for an upcoming documentary, which will spotlight the physical and technical demands of downwind foiling and the innovations in board and foil design that made the trip possible.
Josh Ku specifically chose his equipment for the crossing, customising a Cypher Downwind board in his signature yellow and adding a Gerry Lopez lightning bolt graphic to the base — a nod to the spirit of surf exploration
Purpose built for ocean conditions and crafted with precision at Amos Shapes’ premium glassing facility, Lucid Glassing, the board was paired with a Code Foils setup — 860R front wing, long fuse, 120R tail, and 75cm mast — to provide the speed and lift needed to go the distance.
Stoked
‘We’re stoked to be part of something that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible on foil,’ said Amos Shapes founder Amos Barriskill. ‘This crossing was a massive challenge, and the fact that it was done on one of our own designs makes it even more rewarding.’
Downwind SUP foiling is among the most advanced disciplines in the foiling space, requiring not just elite fitness and water knowledge, but equipment built to perform in variable swell, wind and current.
Based in Ballina, Amos Shapes specialises in handcrafted carbon boards engineered for maximum speed, strength, and style.
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