Kalani Lattanzi: he went handplaning in Nazaré's Praia do Norte

Kalani Souza Lattanzi was born in Hawaii but has lived for years in Itacoatiara, a notorious beach break in Niteroi, near Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil.

He is a well-rounded waterman. Whenever he grabs his surfboard, bodyboard, handplane, or simply goes bodysurfing, Lattanzi is a force to be reckoned with.

In 2015, the Hawaiian-Brazilian paddled into one of the biggest bodyboarding waves of all time at Puerto Escondido. Earlier this year, Kalani bodysurfed Nazaré's Praia do Norte.

This time, however, the conditions at the infamous Portuguese surf break were a bit more challenging. But the 24-year-old decided to "go straight down the middle" of the peak.

Kalani Lattanzi swam toward the line-up using a pair of bodysurfing fins, and a small handplane only - no inflatable life jacket or helmet was needed.

"I have a lot of friends out in the water. I know them, and I know they will give me a hand if I need it. But I think they appreciate the fact that I don't wear any flotation device," told Lattanzi after concluding his handplaning session.

Lattanzi's ability in double-to-triple overhead waves is quite impressive.

He manages to duck dive, and catch waves effortlessly. He even finds time to perform a few el rollos in choppy conditions.

Learn how to bodysurf using a handplane.

Top Stories

Historically, bodyboarding has been the black sheep of the wave-riding family.

Ben Sawyer has taken out the 2024 Shark Island Challenge in Cronulla, near Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

At 50 years old, Carlos Hebert Plante is once again embarking on a doable mission that could literally break all ice.

Guilherme Tâmega is the second most successful professional bodyboarder of all time, with six world titles, six runner-up world tour finishes, and several national and international trophies and accolades.