Review: Kai Lenny Stars In “Paradigm Lost”

We got a first look of Paradigm Lost to review, but it’s hard to be critical of something as innocent and presumably inspirational as a G-rated Walt Disney film. We’ve always been massive fans of Kai Lenny. We paired him with Julian Wilson and ran the beginning of his foil revolution on our cover. We adore his bright populist smile and his “fuck it” I’ll give it a try attitude: Mavs, Jaws, Pipe, the Molokai channel, SUP, foils, kites, sails, you name it, Kai rides it. A jack of all trades, a master of fun. 

Because Kai Lenny is very likeable and good at things the film relies on “surfing” action. Although, big waves, foiling, SUPing, and wind/kitesurfing can lose your attention, the mindblowing cimematography will pull you back in. It also includes such heavy weights as Kelly Slater, John Florence, Albee Layer, Jamie O’Brien, Julian Wilson, Greg Long, Matt Meola, and of course, Laird Hamilton.

Like Step into Liquid or Riding Giants, Kai’s Paradigm Lost will appeal to the masses, as it will to the core (whether they’ll admit it or not…). And, the masses will love him. People from Topeka to the North Shore to Lemoore will wear KAI! shirts and watch KAI! the movie because Kai is great. 

PL ends with a quote from Clyde Aikau, the younger brother of the Hawaiian Kai Lenny seems to resemble most, it says, “There’s always gonna be someone else who rides a bigger wave. There’s always gonna be a guy who flies higher wind-surfing. There’s always gonna be another guy who catches a bigger barrel at Pipeline. When all’s said and done–and you gotta get this Kai–it’s what you do as a person to help other people.” Maybe that’s where Kai narrative lives and what will differientiate from Mr Hamilton in years to come – not his insistence to “take every wave” but his ability to shine on any floatation device slid beneath his feet.  

If you’d like to watch PL in all it’s entirety, head to the iTunes store and watch the edit above featuring an exclusive clip that Steve Aoki cut for his pal, Kai.