Laird Hamilton
|
|
Laird Hamilton (born Laird John Zerfas 1964-03-02 San Francisco) is one of the most influential big wave surfers as of 2004.
According to those who've seen him in action, Hamilton is the best of the best at surfing particularly big waves. He has been seen surfing swells 35 feet (11 m) tall, moving at speeds of 30 miles an hour (50 km/h). A "big day" for Laird are waves of up to 70 feet high (22 m), during which he reaches speeds up to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Laird has been credited with innovating and popularizing tow-in surfing, which has met with mixed reactions from the surfing community, some of whom feel that it is cheating and polluting. Laird's explanation is that tow-in surfing is the only way to catch the really big waves such as those seen at Jaws (Peahi) off the coast of Maui. Laird also makes it his business to regularly clean up the beaches at his favorite spots, so he says "There is a good feeling when we come back". Laird used tow-in to conquer the Tahitian surf spot Teahupoo. A wipeout in Teahupoo, a particularly hazardous shallow-water reefbreak southeast of Tahiti, means almost certain death. Laird's successful ride on a particularly challenging wave cemented his legendary status. His ride there of August 17, 2000 is known by surfers as simply 'The Wave'. (A shot of him riding The Wave made the cover of Surfer magazine, accompanied by this caption: "Oh My God...") He has also been credited with inventing the foilboard, a surfboard incorporating hydrofoil technology.
Laird's stepfather is legendary Big-Wave surfer Bill Hamilton.
In November 1997, he married volleyball player and model Gabrielle Reece. They have one child together, a daughter, Reece Viola Hamilton, who was born in October 2003.
External links
- Laird Hamilton's Web Site (http://www.lairdhamilton.com/)
- Laird Hamilton on IMDb (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0358007/)
- 60 Minutes Laird Hamilton Feature (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/02/26/60minutes/main602558.shtml)