Buzzy Trent – The Original Big Wave Gladiator
“The Man Who Rode Mountains”
🌊 Basic Info
Full Name: Goodwin Murray Trent Jr.
Nickname: Buzzy
Born: May 13, 1929 – San Diego, California, USA
Died: September 26, 2006 – Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Nationality: American
Surfing Stance: Regular
Favorite Surf Spots: Waimea Bay, Makaha, Sunset Beach
🏆 Career Highlights
Championships & Titles:
Though never part of a competitive tour, Buzzy was one of the founding fathers of big wave surfing
Known for pioneering rides at Waimea Bay when most believed it was unrideable
Notable Competitions:
Surfing in Buzzy’s day was mostly about proving it in the lineup, not trophies—but he was the name in 1950s and 60s Hawaiian big wave culture
Best Performances:
Legendary ride at Waimea Bay in 1953 – documented as one of the first successful rides in waves over 25 feet
Iconic photos by surf photographer Don James and Bud Browne helped make Buzzy a symbol of surf courage
Signature Moves:
No tricks—just raw courage, clean drops, and full commitment on massive faces
One of the first surfers to understand and use deep paddling techniques and positioning in XXL surf
🏄♂️ Surfing Style & Equipment
Board Preferences:
Rode massive wooden and balsa guns, often 10–12 feet in length, built to paddle into towering waves
Helped evolve the early big wave board designs into more maneuverable and stable templates
Wetsuit & Gear:
No wetsuits back then—just shorts, skill, and nerves of steel
Often surfed shirtless in winter Hawaiian conditions, which says it all
Training & Fitness:
Elite-level athlete—also competed in diving and track
Was a champion swimmer and football player, bringing serious physicality to surfing
Focused heavily on strength, breath control, and paddle endurance
Wave Preferences:
Only one thing mattered: the biggest waves on the planet
Waimea, Makaha, and Sunset were his stomping grounds when few dared paddle out
🌍 Life Beyond Surfing
Hobbies & Interests:
Diving, spearfishing, lifeguarding
Loved pushing physical and mental limits in the ocean
Social Causes:
Lifeguard and ocean safety pioneer
Inspired generations of Hawaiian watermen to pursue big wave riding with discipline and respect
Fun Facts:
Coined the iconic phrase: “Big waves aren’t measured in feet, but in increments of fear.”
Buzzy was a role model for early legends like Greg Noll and George Downing
Surfed Waimea without leashes or flotation, in conditions that would shut down entire contests today
🎥 Photos & Videos
Footage and stills of Buzzy riding Waimea are featured in classic surf films like The Endless Summer and early Bud Browne reels
Archival interviews show his philosophy and stoic approach to fear and the ocean
📢 Latest News & Updates
In 2025, Buzzy’s legacy lives on through the Big Wave Hall of Fame, where he remains a top inductee
A new biography, “Fear Lines: The Life of Buzzy Trent”, is set to release later this year
Waimea Bay held a paddle-out in his honor last year, with many of today’s top big wave chargers paying tribute
📱 Social Media
As Buzzy passed away before the digital era, there are no official accounts—but many tribute pages and historical archives celebrate his life and contributions:
YouTube – Buzzy Trent Archives
Instagram Hashtag #BuzzyTrent
