Kai Sallas

Kai Sallas was born and raised in Waikiki and begin surfing at 10 years old under the guidance of his father, who caught his first wave in 1960.

After spending his formative years under the tutelage of the South Shore’s word recognized ‘Beach Boys’, Kai created a place for himself on the world stage as both a team rider for Donald Takayama, and a perennial threat in all competitive venues.

He has won events across the planet – the Madives, Italy, China and more, and he is also the owner of Pro Surf School Hawaii; the largest surf school on the Hawaiian Islands.

Today his focus is intently on growing his brand and growing his team of #WaikikiRaised rippers. Surfers like Kelis Kaleopaa, Kaniela Stewart and Johnny Van Hohenstein all ride his boards and rely on Kai for guidance, the same way that Kai relied on his Father’s generation.

Kaniela Stewart – Photo: Eric Wherner

Kelis Kaleopaa – Photo: Tommy Pierucki

Johnny Van Hohenstein – Photo: Eric Wherner

Kai says

“Waikiki is special to me because it is the birth place of surfing, it’s where the Hawaiian royalty and Queen Liliuokalani built her summer home and that’s why the Surf break is named Queens. It’s where duke kahanamoku surfed and taught people how to surf… It’s everything to me.”

Kai Sallas – Photo: Abby Oh