Laird Hamilton is one of the world’s best big wave surfers. The legendary waterman is also known for his influential and innovative ideas that have contributed to the sport of surfing, such as tow-ins, hydrofoil boarding and standup paddling. Greg Noll has even gone as far as to label Hamilton, ‘the best big wave rider the world has ever seen.’
Riding Giants, a documentary film directed by world famous skater Stacy Peralta, traces the origins of surfing along with an in depth look at big wave rider, Laird Hamilton. The film showcased Hamilton’s skills in one of the most dangerous yet perfect waves on the planet known as, Teahupo’o. The left-hander breaks over very shallow reef producing one of the heaviest barrels in the world.
On August 17th, 2000, Laird Hamilton towed into a wave at Teahupo’o that would revolutionize the sport of surfing. Hamilton proved to the surfing community that this monstrous wave was rideable. A wave so intense and so powerful that merely lasted a few seconds, would change the sport of surfing forever and earn its name as the Millennium wave.
