From Haole To Hero: The Life of Big Wave Surfer Laird Hamilton

He Rode The Heaviest Wave In History In 2000

Photo Credit: GREGORY BOISSY/AFP/Getty Images

On August 17, 2000, Laird tow-surfed and dropped into the biggest wave ever rode by a surfer in Teahupoo, Tahiti. The giant, barreling wave caught everyone’s attention and landed him on the cover of SURFER magazine. The wave known as Teahupoo is particularly dangerous with the shallow, sharp reef just below.

Laird lives for the days with giant swells and chases them all over the world. He’s ridden waves up to 70 feet tall the break as quickly as 50 miles per hour. He was soon regarded as one of the greatest big wave surfers to have ever lived.