Laird Hamilton – The King of Big Wave
“Where Fear Meets Progression”
🌊 Basic Info
Full Name: Laird John Zerfas Hamilton
Nickname: Laird
Born: March 2, 1964 – San Francisco, California, USA
Nationality: American (raised in Hawaii)
Surfing Stance: Regular
Favorite Surf Spots: Peʻahi (Jaws), Teahupo’o, Cloudbreak, Malibu
🏆 Career Highlights
Championships & Titles:
Never competed on the World Tour—but is widely considered the greatest big-wave free surfer of all time
Credited with pioneering tow-in surfing alongside Buzzy Kerbox and Darrick Doerner
Featured in historic big-wave sessions that changed the course of modern surfing
Notable Contributions:
1994: First successful tow-in session at Jaws, opening the door for surfing waves over 70 feet
2000: Rode the infamous “Millennium Wave” at Teahupo’o—a ride so heavy, it stunned the surf world
Instrumental in promoting SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboarding) and foilboarding as new wave disciplines
Best Performances:
Teahupo’o Millennium Wave – a massive, mutant barrel that redefined what was humanly possible
Multiple firsts at Jaws, including solo entries into monstrous winter swells via tow-in
Signature Moves:
Fearless entry into XXL waves via jet ski (before it was widely accepted)
Introduced foilboarding, riding above the water on hydrofoils, often in open-ocean swells
A powerful, aggressive style mixed with next-level technical vision
🏄♂️ Surfing Style & Equipment
Board Preferences:
Uses custom tow boards with foot straps, fins, and unique volume-to-weight ratios
Foilboards, SUPs, and experimental designs from his own Laird Hamilton Surf Tech line
Wetsuit & Gear:
Often wears minimalist wetsuits or impact vests, depending on the conditions
Sponsored by Hydro Flask, Laird Superfood, and Oxbow (past)
Protective helmets used in extreme sessions like Teahupo’o
Training & Fitness:
Obsessive about training: daily workouts include breath-hold drills, swimming, biking, and strength circuits
Pioneered underwater weight training, surf-specific strength routines, and mobility protocols
Published books on health and performance—Laird is a lifestyle brand in himself
Wave Preferences:
The bigger and more dangerous, the better—Jaws, Teahupo’o, and Mavericks are regular stops
Loves open-ocean swells for hydrofoil surfing across miles of water
🌍 Life Beyond Surfing
Hobbies & Interests:
Big-wave explorer, fitness entrepreneur, inventor, and adventure seeker
Married to professional volleyball legend Gabrielle Reece
Founder of Laird Superfood, a wellness company focused on clean performance nutrition
Social Causes:
Advocates for ocean health, plastic reduction, and water safety
Supports military veteran surf therapy and adaptive surf programs
Fun Facts:
Laird was a stunt double for Kevin Costner in Waterworld
Famously turned down the World Tour because it didn’t align with his vision of progression
Has been called “The Most Complete Waterman in History”
🎥 Photos & Videos
Starred in films like Riding Giants, Take Every Wave, and That’s It, That’s All
Watch his Teahupo’o footage—it’s still some of the most replayed surf clips of all time
📢 Latest News & Updates
In 2025, Laird continues to push foilboarding boundaries and is featured in a new docuseries: The Waterman Diaries
His company, Laird Superfood, just released a new line of recovery drinks aimed at endurance athletes
He recently completed a multi-day foil mission between Hawaiian islands, documented by Red Bull
