About this episode
Kai Thompson discusses his successful 2025 Hawaiian race season and the factors that contributed to his elite performance.
Australian downwind phenom Kai Thompson joins the Progression Project to unpack his breakout 2025 Hawaiian race season—top-five in every event and podiums in the big ones. We dive into the mindset and monster mileage that powered his leap from mid-pack to elite, including back-to-back Maliko missions, 45 km coast runs, and cross-training that would humble most athletes. Kai breaks down reading bumps vs. fitness vs. gear, shares candid lessons from M2M/M2O, and explains why start strategy and consistency win races. We also talk board/foil choices, how the Gator-style downwind boards changed his game, and why the next gear wave will push average speeds past 20 mph. If you love foiling, endurance, and the craft of getting faster, this episode is pure rocket fuel.
People in this episode
Host: Erik Antonson
Guest: Kai Thompson
Topics covered
- downwind racing
- endurance sports
- athlete mindset
- foiling
- gear choices
Keywords
- downwind
- racing
- endurance
- foiling
- gear
- mindset
- training
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Australia
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