Episode #105 - Robert Stehlik / Super Fly Wing and Retractable Reel Leash System

This episode is brought to you by Villa Carina Apartments in beautiful Bonaire. 

In this episode, we dive into an exciting conversation with Robert Stehlik, founder of Blue Planet Surf and a veteran waterman, fresh off the 2025 summer racing season in Hawaii. Robert shares his experiences from the Maui to Molokai (M2M) and Molokai to Oahu (M2O) races, spotlighting the debut of the innovative Super Fly wing and the game-changing retractable leash system. From intense downwind challenges to the evolution of water sports, this episode explores the thrill, strategy, and community spirit of Hawaii’s ocean racing scene, with a focus on cutting-edge gear designed for performance and safety. 

• Super Fly Wing Release: Launched in April 2025, the Blue Planet Super Fly wing (3.2m–7m) is a performance-driven marvel crafted after extensive prototyping. With high-visibility orange, red, and yellow colors, a rigid boom for precise control, durable Dacron construction, and a single-valve inflation with dual hoses for stability, it dominated with top 5 (M2M) and top 10 (2024 M2O) finishes. Features compact wingtips, high canopy tension, and includes a repair kit, wrist/waist leash, and free U.S. shipping.
• Retractable Leash System Launch: Robert introduces the new retractable leash system, a safety and performance game-changer. With a 14-foot extension, steel pin, and adjustable spring tension, it keeps boards and wings apart during wipeouts, preventing injuries and equipment damage in Hawaii’s powerful waves. Includes a waist belt, shock cord, and optional harness hook and wing tether.
• M2M Race Recap: Robert relives the Maui to Molokai race, overcoming a last-minute wing repair to finish in 1:52 with the Super Fly wing, just minutes behind top riders like Marley Franco and Livio Menelau, showcasing strategic foil choices and gear reliability.
• M2O Endurance Test: A raw account of the grueling Molokai to Oahu race, where Robert leveraged the 7m Super Fly wing to navigate the Ka’iwi Channel’s rough waters, sharing insights on managing foot soreness from footstraps and mental endurance tactics.
• Para-Winging vs. SUP Foiling: Exploring the rapid rise of para-winging, its narrow wind range, and comparisons to wing foiling and SUP foiling, with thoughts on its future in races like Paddle Imua and M2M.
• Ocean Challenges and Community: Tales of navigating wind holes, racing with escort boats, and the camaraderie of the water sports community, with respect for veterans tackling massive channels on traditional SUPs.
• Hawaiian Waterman Spirit: Reflections on competition, personal growth, and the thrill of downwind runs powered by the Super Fly wing and retractable leash, set against Hawaii’s unpredictable ocean conditions.

Follow Robert Stehlik and Blue Planet Surf at https://blueplanetsurf.com/ or scan the QR code on their site to check out the Super Fly wing, retractable leash, and more.