“I Don’t Know How He Surfs Like That Coming From Here”

When asked to describe Imaikalani Devault’s surfing, Albee Layer said, “I have no idea how he learned to surf like that, coming from Maui.”

It’s a valid point. While Hawail’s windiest island consistently pumps out big wave surfers and air guys, its windblown ramps don’t lend themselves to developing polished, CT-level surfing. We explored exactly why in our recent post, which you can read here.

Apparently, nobody has told Imai about this issue. As you’ll see in his latest edit by Myles Laurion, ‘Kau Kau’, he bottom-turns as though he grew up surfing point-break perfection. There’s something else there too. A definite energy, a spark, that can’t be precisely described. We’ll call it composed spontaneity, not unlike what we’ve seen from fellow Maui graduate Eli Hanneman. Likely, this spark is the result of Imai spending his formative surfing years at perpetual war with Maui’s elements.

After getting his first keeper result at Bells, we’re looking forward to seeing Devault fight for his place above the cut at the next (very windy) CT event.

His edit is relatively short, coming in at just under three minutes, but the point is made. Imaikalani Devault surfs excitingly fast, with a deep bag of tricks, and does it all with confident, nuanced style.

Trust us, it’s worth your time.