30/03/2026
Kai Bartlett
There is not much to say that hasn’t already been said about Kai Bartlett — he was a special individual.
Generous with his time, always willing to help, and deeply connected to the ocean and the people in it.
I remember him waiting for me out in the middle of the ocean on a Keʻanae run, and on multiple occasions ferrying my ski back to Maui after M2M. Sometimes he was short on detail. His instructions on my first Maliko run were: “turn left… then left again at the port.” He forgot to mention the surf bombie off the airport.
He was a fierce competitor, but just as quick to congratulate someone finishing mid-pack.
Kai had an instinctive feel for shaping canoes.
The Ares will stand as his defining legacy, and the Vega is proof that he simply knew how to make any craft come alive in the ocean.
Through his designs and his generosity, he has played a huge role in growing open ocean paddling here in New Zealand and around the world.
He will be greatly missed.
Our condolences go out to Kealani and the wider Bartlett family.
If you’re out on the water, take a moment to say thank you to Kai — he helped so many of us get out there and simply have fun.
Paul
