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By: surfermag/ Posted on July 22, 2010 After much anticipation (Read all about it here), I trekked up to Malibu to engage in what would surely be a torturous day of training with Laird Hamilton and his Race Across America relay crew, Team Surfing USA. While I was apprehensive about training with Laird, a little research into his relay team revealed an impossibly more intimidating character in 76-year-old Don Wildman. I know. How could a seventy-six year-old man possibly emanate the intimidation factor of the 6’3” 215 lb. superhuman that is Laird Hamilton? But as his surname suggests, Wildman isn’t...

I’m not sure how I get volunteered for these things. A few weeks ago, an e-mail chain popped up at work announcing I would train with Laird Hamilton for a day as he prepares for a four-man endurance-cycling competition called Race Across America. Of course, Laird will stand-up paddle 115 miles from Malibu to Oceanside before the 3,000-mile bike race even begins, and at the race’s conclusion he has opted to stand-up paddle to and around the Statue of Liberty; a thorough bench-pressing of America, if you will. Needless to say, I’m pretty nervous. Don’t get me wrong, I’m psyched...

By: surfermag/ Posted on July 22, 2010 Laird Hamilton is a unique amalgamation of pioneer test pilot and waterman, a sort of Chuck Yeager meets Duke Kahanamoku, if you will. He is not only relevant, Laird Hamilton defines what will be relevant. He’s forging our surfing future— that’s right, yours and mine– at an exponential rate. And oh yeah, he hangs with James Bond. Laird came by the SURFER magazine office to discuss the DVD release of The Ride / The Day: A two-part expose into the world of Maui’s most notorious surf spot and the principals who claim her...

Part One: The iconic waterman talks about his scariest moments; life without surfing; tow and foil board design and much more. Kelly Slater is the only six-time world champion. Andy Irons owns back-to-back world titles, the last with Slater nipping at his heels. Makua Rothman rode a 60'+ wave at the age of 18. Jamie O'Brien toys with ferocious Pipeline. Lots of surfers' exploits make them seem larger than life. But all of their exploits combined pale in comparison to Laird Hamilton's. Laird rode the unrideable at Teahuppo. He ripped the unrippable at Peahi. He's a champion sailboarder and a...

CHANEL is pleased to announce Laird Hamilton as the ambassador for the newest watch of the iconic CHANEL J12 lineage, the J12 Marine, the first diving watch for the House of CHANEL. Laird Hamilton is hailed as one of the most revolutionary big-wave surfers, a co-inventor of tow-in surfing and generous philanthropist. He is a true waterman, passionate for the ocean, and his life has been dedicated to developing new techniques and pushing the boundaries of big wave surfing. Laird is most passionate, however, about environmental causes, focusing his efforts to protecting the oceans and influencing others to follow in...