This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire.
Note: Tech Glitch -- My Audio is not the cleanest, Sorry! Guests came out great. (Luckily I don't talk a lot!)
In this episode, we catch up with Josh Ku and Dane Wilson, accomplished foilers, surfers, and creatives pushing the boundaries of ocean adventures. Joining Luc from their respective locations amid busy travel schedules, Josh and Dane recount their daring foil crossing from Uluwatu in Bali to the iconic G-Land in Java, the raw survival moments that unfolded, and the making of their film "The Strait Path." From near-disasters at sea to epic surf sessions on a vintage Jerry Lopez board, they dive into the spirit of exploration, the Waterman ethos, and the thrill of turning an uncharted journey into a captivating story.
Episode Highlights:
- Origins of the Idea: Josh and Dane discuss how the project sparked from shared creative vibes, Josh's inspiration from Dane's prior adventure film with Zane, and the goal to blend foiling with classic surfing in Indonesia's wild waters—pitching a high-stakes crossing that aligned perfectly with swell and wind forecasts.
- Planning and Launch: The duo reflects on committing to the trip just a week out, Josh's background in downwinding and island traversals, and Dane's hands-off approach to filming, relying on a support boat for safety and shots in an unpredictable ocean playground.
- The Crossing Drama: A deep dive into the 92km foil journey turning chaotic—getting off course, the boat snagging debris and vanishing, Josh navigating solo by wind, watch, and stars while battling dehydration, currents, and wildlife, and Dane's tense hour-plus search feeling utterly isolated without comms.
- Survival and Reunion: Josh shares the mental shift to survival mode, ignoring ground swell to follow wind direction, spotting whales and debris, and the massive relief of reuniting; Dane recounts the crew's frantic scans, aligning rescue plans, and capturing the emotional finale with jungle backdrops.
- Surfing Legacy at G-Land: Wrapping the adventure with perfect waves, Josh riding a single-fin Jerry Lopez Lightning Bolt board for a bucket-list tube session, paying homage to surf pioneers like Lopez and McCabe, and how it tied into the film's theme of exploration beyond crowded breaks.
- Filmmaking Challenges: Dane opens up on the pressure to capture the trip's raw magic in editing—focusing on audio, story flow, and visuals without over-stylizing—while emphasizing the foil as a tool for adventure, not the sole focus, in a nod to historical ocean tales.
- Reflections and Growth: Insights on embracing uncertainty, learning from mishaps like inadequate safety plans, the addictive "have a go" spirit of true adventure, and how the experience reinforced their Waterman perspectives without modern tech crutches.
- Premieres and Next Horizons: Details on upcoming screenings in Sydney (November 7, 2025, at Collaroy Cinema) and potential LA showings, plus teases for future collaborations blending Josh's athletic pushes and Dane's filmmaking prowess.
Follow Josh - https://www.instagram.com/joshku/
Follow Dane - https://www.instagram.com/dane___wilson/