Laird John Hamilton is an American big-wave surfer, co-inventor of tow-in surfing, and an occasional fashion and action-sports model and actor. He is married to Gabrielle Reece, a former professional volleyball player, television personality, and model.
Laird Hamilton
Pipeline on the north shore of Oahu where Hamilton grew up
Hamilton has a family home in Maui, Hawaii and another in Malibu, California
Laird on a personal watercraft at Teahupoʻo
Big wave surfing is a discipline within surfing in which experienced surfers paddle into, or are towed into, waves which are at least 20 feet high, on surf boards known as "guns" or towboards. Sizes of the board needed to successfully surf these waves vary by the size of the wave as well as the technique the surfer uses to reach the wave. A larger, longer board allows a rider to paddle fast enough to catch the wave and has the advantage of being more stable, but it also limits maneuverability and surfing speed.
Surfing at The Eddie on February 25, 2016
Image: Bigwavesurf