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

He Had A Few Close Calls With Death

Photo Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Laird built his reputation as a daredevil by taking on the biggest waves and stunts. He hasn’t avoided some seriously scary situations along the way, however. In an interview with Graham Bensinger, Laird recalled, “I’ve been lost at sea, where I thought that was it. I’ve fallen in a cornice on a giant glacier in Russia. I thought that was it. I’ve been stuck at the bottom of a waterfall in Oregon and pinned on a rock for awhile, thought that was it. And then it’s not it. You’re thankful.”

Not only has he managed to stay alive in these heavy situations, but he’s saved several other people’s lives. People and animals were stranded and in danger after the island of Kaua’i flooded, and Laird stepped up to help.