In a groundbreaking moment 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 — achieved on his 7’6” Amos Shapes Cypher Downwind foilboard — took 4 hours and 30 minutes and marks a new frontier for what’s possible on foil.
“This was about adventure, uncertainty, and pushing limits,” Ku said after stepping onto the black-sand shore at G-Land. “In a world where so much is mapped out and predictable, I wanted to do something that felt raw — to tap into the same spirit the surfers of the ’70s had when they crossed the Bali Strait in tiny boats with no idea what they’d find on the other side.”
Joshua Ku on his 7’6” Cypher downwind foilboard crossing the Bali strait on 27th of June 2025
The Board That Carried Him
Josh’s weapon of choice? A custom 7’6” Cypher Downwind foilboard in his signature yellow, built by Amos Shapes and glassed by Lucid Glassing. For extra soul, he added a Gerry Lopez lightning bolt graphic on the base — a nod to the era of surf exploration that inspired him.
The Cypher, Amos Shapes’ flagship downwind model, is designed for speed, stability and efficiency across long open-ocean runs. Paired with a Code Foils setup (860R front wing, long fuse, 120R tail and 75cm mast), Josh had the lift and glide needed to ride bumps for hours across the strait’s notorious currents and wind shifts.
“Downwind SUP foiling isn’t just about fitness and ocean knowledge. The board has to perform flawlessly in variable conditions,” said Amos Shapes founder Amos Barriskill. “Seeing Josh complete this massive challenge on one of our boards is incredibly rewarding.”
From Foil to Barrel
After touching down at G-Land, Ku didn’t stop. He swapped his foilboard for a Gerry Lopez surfboard (shaped by North Coast Surfboards and glassed by Lucid Glassing), paddled out at Money Trees, and scored classic G-Land barrels — the same break made legendary in the 1970s by Lopez and the original surf pioneers.
The entire journey was documented for a film set to premiere in September at the AWSI trade show in Hood River, Oregon. Expect a deep dive into the physical demands of downwind foiling, the technical innovations behind the gear, and the spirit of exploration that drove Josh to attempt the crossing.
A New Chapter for Foiling
This crossing isn’t just a personal milestone for Josh Ku — it’s a statement about where foiling is headed. As downwind SUP foiling continues to evolve, challenges like this open the door to a new generation of ocean adventures.
“We’re stoked to be part of something that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible on foil,” Barriskill added. “This is why we build boards the way we do.”
🌊 Check out the board Josh used on the crossing and explore the full Amos Shapes range:
👉 www.amosshapes.com
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