Laird Hamilton, the legend of big wave surfing, is in New Zealand as part of The Ultimate Waterman event.
Hamilton is the pioneer of surfing innovations such as tow-in surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and the unique spectacle of hydrofoil boarding. Widely considered to be one of the world’s ultimate watermen, Hamilton is in New Zealand for March to lend his support for the competition.
The video shows Laird Hamilton zoom over huge waves in Raglan, New Zealand. He is using a foilboard, a surf board with an underwater hydrofoil that makes it rise above the surface when it reaches certain speed.
Hamilton was the first person to use Mike Mack’s foil board invention with a jet ski, but here you can see it working with no propulsion other than the ocean itself.
Event creator and Surfing New Zealand Chief Executive Greg Townsend says it’s a massive coup to have attracted Laird here for the event.
“Even people who don’t consider themselves surfing fans will know who Laird Hamilton is. He’s a legend of the surfing world who transcends into mainstream culture,” says Townsend.
“Laird wanted to show his support for the event by coming down here. He recognises it as an innovative and pioneering competition that pushes the boundaries. These are qualities that Laird himself epitomises,” says Townsend.
The New Zealand public will get to see Hamilton at select appearances during the competition, including the mass participation stand up paddle-board event at Mission Bay, Auckland on Saturday 21st March.
For the first time ever – eight of the world’s finest watermen will compete on New Zealand waters for the title of The Ultimate Waterman from 14-21 March. They’ll compete in six surfing events, including short and long board surfing, stand up paddle surfing and endurance, waka-ama endurance and big wave paddle in surfing.