Page 390 - Hawaii: Diving, Surfing, Pearl Harbor, Volcanoes and More

amilton is regarded by surfing histori- fame; but a man that trained his entire life to
H ans as the “all time best of the best” at is comment of riding Teahupo, “I do master his skills and surf what was consid-
big wave surfing, regularly surfing swells of H not wanna not live because of my ered “the impossible”.
35 feet (11 m) tall, and moving at speeds in fear of what could happen. It softens some
excess of 30 miles (48 km) an hour and suc- hard corners in my life I would say and I felt aird was not a follower that walked in
cessfully riding other waves of up to 70 feet honored to be awarded with something so L other persons footsteps but an unpar-
(21 m) high, at up to 50 mph (80 km/h). Ham- magnificent that it just made me appreci- alled innovator, perfectionist, consistently
ilton prefers tow-in surfing the giant waves ate what I have been able to have, experi- out in front of the curve and setting the
of Peahi reef (known as the Jaws surf break) ence, do” makes one understand he is truly standard for intellegence and professional-
on the north central shore of the Island of remarkable man. ism in surfing. Laird flat out is a pioneer that
Maui. Despite being one of the best known set the standard for perfection to be judged
surfers since the time of Duke Kahanamoku, atching film of Laird riding the mon- by.
the matured Hamilton avoids self-promo- W ster swells of Hawaii and attacking
tion. He serves as an ambassador of surfing the waves; jumping with his board over the hank you Laird for allowing the world
and watersports and occasional lifeguard to rough and the magnificent cuts he makes T to share in your life and journey. Laird
other tow-in surfers. provides a sense that he controls the wave Hamilton decided to live life “his way and
and the wave does not control him. His ul- on his terms” which is why he will be re-
timate command provides a sense that he membered as the pioneer of big wave surf-
aird Hamilton has a presence and sense is in full control of what he is doing and ing and one of the greatest surfers to ever
L about him. His ability to discuss in intel- provides an unmatched viewing experience live. We highly recommend everyone watch
ligent and thoughtful words his experiences that conjures the child’s imagination again the movie “Riding Giants” to experience the
separates him from other well-known surf- in all of us. Viewing his remarkable rides on power of big surf and see Laird exercise total
ers. His ability to conjure the imagination of the big surf of Hawaii can only be described control over Mother Nature.
the listener of what he feels and thinks when as “mesmerizing”. You get an immediate
riding the deft defying monsters is remark- sense that what he does and how he does it
able. is not a dare devil seeking his 15 seconds of