A 15-year-old boy from Mooloolaba, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, has captured the spotlight as an unofficial world record holder after completing an extraordinary 67-kilometer journey across open ocean on an electric hydrofoil. Malakai Lamby’s remarkable feat was supported by a dedicated crew, including Coast Guard volunteers, local boaters, and fellow e-foil enthusiasts who joined him at various stages from Golden Beach to Noosa.
“I only saw one Fliteboarder [at Noosa] and I was a bit disappointed, but they all just popped up out of nowhere and there was like 20 of them — it was really crazy,” Malakai shared, reflecting on the unexpected support he received.
Hydrofoiling: A New Wave in Water Sports
Hydrofoiling is an emerging sport that involves riding a surfboard-like craft equipped with a curved, wing-shaped fin beneath it. This design allows the rider to glide above the water’s surface, offering a unique perspective of the ocean. During his journey, Malakai was accompanied by the ocean’s natural beauty, including sightings of dolphins and two whales.
While Malakai’s attempt was not officially recognized by Guinness World Records, it has been acknowledged by Flite Australia as the new world record for the longest distance traveled on a single battery charge. Flite Australia, a leading manufacturer of these boards, has logged over 150,000 rides through its platform.
“On the new technology, with all the new stuff that’s come out and my weight and ability, I’ve been able to smash out [an extra] 20 kilometers, so the new record is now 67 kilometers,” Malakai said.
Family Support and Safety Measures
Malakai’s journey was not just a personal achievement but a family affair. His mother, De Lamby, introduced him to the sport three years ago and was actively involved in his record-setting attempt. Despite the challenging conditions, she remained confident in her son’s abilities.
“The current was really playing with where he was going but we had communications with him the whole way,” Ms. Lamby explained. “Everything that came into his mind he verbalized, which was quite distressing on the boat because any near miss or ‘I’m going to fall off’, you knew firsthand. I was just like, ‘I hope he makes it’ and he smashed it, he absolutely smashed it.”
Impact on the Sport’s Popularity
Malakai’s achievement is expected to bring significant attention to hydrofoiling, especially in Australia. Michael Wallent, an e-foil instructor in Noosa, praised the teenager’s accomplishment and its potential impact on the sport’s growth.
“It’s generally Europeans that are doing things like breaking records and trying to ride as fast as they can,” Mr. Wallent said. “To have an Australian and especially a local Sunshine Coast lad doing it, we were all really excited and wanted to get behind him.”
Wallent emphasized the accessibility of hydrofoiling, noting that while it is easy to learn, mastering it requires skill. “To conserve battery capacity, you need to what we call ‘fly high’, so keeping the board up off of the water and nice and constant, not too much pitch variation — it’s a pretty impressive feat,” he added.
Looking Ahead: Future Challenges and Community Support
With this achievement under his belt, Malakai plans to pursue more record attempts in the future. His mother, De, is confident in his potential to surpass his current record.
“He’s really driven … I wasn’t nagging him to do any of it,” Ms. Lamby said. “It was really easy for me to go, ‘Why not let him do it?’. And it’s good, the community came and rallied behind him.”
As Malakai continues to push the boundaries of what is possible on an electric hydrofoil, his story serves as an inspiration to young athletes and a testament to the power of community support in achieving extraordinary goals.
