Laird Hamilton

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"Fear is a natural response. Without it, we wouldn't survive" (Laird Hamilton). The fearless surfer behind this incredible quote is Laird Hamilton, a famous big wave surfer and has the nickname the"waterman". From the time he jumped off a 60 foot cliff when he was eight, to surfing the biggest waves in the world he is known as Laird Hamilton. Born in San Francisco in 1974 Hamilton learned from a young age to surf. He grew up in Hawaii with his mom and adopted father Bill Hamilton who is also a well known surfer. Hamilton is now a large wave surfer, inventor, actor, author and many more professions. He is recognized for his surfing and  invented a variety of water boards such as stand up paddle boarding and tow- in- surfing which uses a jet ski to pull the surfer out to the waves. Hamilton lives in Malibu California and Hawaii with his wife and three daughters. Beginning in 2000 his acting career took off and he starred in many different genres of movies. Even though Hamilton's surfing career is still happening and he is only getting better, he achieved many accomplishments. While Laird Hamilton is gaining more and more fame he expresses fearlessness as he rides the waves and also donates of his money to charities.  Laird Hamilton, a legendary big wave surfer with a strong connection with the ocean is an inspiration because of his fearlessness when surfing and generosity through donating to charities.

Laird Hamilton demonstrates fearlessness when he could risk his life surfing. In this quote about Laird Hamilton provides details about how Laird Hamilton " Is regarded as one of today's best known big wave surfers.  But at 6'3", 215 pounds, with an uncommon combination of balance, flexibility, and strength, Laird Hamilton is unique.  In addition to surfing the biggest waves on the planet," .  In short, Laird Hamilton is the essential Water Man." (About)  Laird Hamilton surfs massive waves showing his fearlessness and that he lives for surfing. Also, Hamilton has proven to the surfing community that he is courageous as he rides the biggest waves, and goes against the risk that he could potentially die, like it's an everyday activity. Laird Hamilton knows that there is a greater risk factor of surfing the waves. He acknowledges that he can get hurt but he takes the risk anyways, making him fearless. The author explains Laird Hamilton as someone who takes risks and shows he is fearless. "Laird Hamilton is considered the world's premier big-wave rider. "He is the ultimate surfer dude---tall, tan and tough as nails," "Hamilton typically rides waves of up to 35 feet high, breaking at up to 30 miles per hour---"and that's on an easy day," Lesley Stahl said on the CBS news magazine program 60 Minutes." A 70-footer is about 70 feet high, equal to a seven-story building" (Laird Hamilton). This is showing that he rides massive waves that most people can't ride and that he is taking a risk riding that size of waves. Hamilton is also fearless because he rides much bigger waves during the on season. Hamilton craves adrenaline and therefore that is overpowering his fear levels making him fearless when surfing this size and speed of the waves. Laird Hamilton got to where he is today by taking risks and being fearless even though the waves can be large and overpowering while reaching crazy speeds.

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Hamilton shows people what it means to be a generous person not only by helping people but with the money he makes from all his sponsors. His acting and modeling careers he choose to pursue as well as his surfing career gives him money which he then donates to different charities.

Hamilton is also known for his generosity and how he gives back to the world with the money he makes and donates. "Laird has a passion for helping others live happy, healthy lives, as exhibited through his work with charities such as the Surfrider Foundation, Race Across America, Pipeline for a Cure for Cystic Fibrosis, Rain Catcher, Muscular Dystrophy and City Of Hope." (About)   As shown in this quote Hamilton is generous, even though he makes a lot of money, he still chooses to donate it and help out charities with people in need. As opposed to using it on himself, he chooses to donate, instead of buying surf gear or new cars with his money. This is why Hamilton is a kind person all around.  Laird set out to go on a long bike adventure to help raise money for one of Hamilton's close friends son's who has autism."I wanted to help them raise the money to complete it...I realized that tackling these challenges with purpose would make them even better. And so we set out to make that happen...But we raised more than 100,000 and, equally as important, we raised awareness," (Hamilton Laird Force of Nature: Mind, Body, Soul and, of course, Surfing).  This shows how he generously helps and donates to charities.  It also shows how humble and kind Hamilton is and how he is willing to donate his money. Hamilton cares about other people not just himself showing that he is unselfish and helps whenever he can. As shown, Hamilton makes a lot of money, from what he does but he likes to donate it and help the world.

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Hamilton's fearlessness when surfing and generosity instead of being selfish and keeping his money actively supports and donates to a variety of charities all over. As Laird is getting older he is getting better and stronger everyday and surfing even larger waves. From the time Hamilton jumped off the sixty foot cliff when he was eight till now, surfing "Jaws". Laird Hamilton became the first person to surf the forty to fifty foot waves by a rocky cliff and he is an adrenaline legend who cares deeply about the ocean and what is has to offer. Hamilton inspires me and others greatly by and his generosity and fearlessness. He gives back to the world with the money he makes in hopes to help someone else and make their life better. He also inspires people to take risks and do what they want and to be fearless. He inspires me to the best I can be to conquer my fears no matter how scary it can be. Hamilton teaches me and others to take risks and do what I want and to control any of my fears.  Laird continuously inspires other surfers around the world to take risks and keep improving.  Hamilton once said, "For those searching for something more than just the norm. We lay it all down, including what others call sanity, for just a few moments on waves larger than life. We do this because we know there is still something greater than all of us. Something that inspires us spiritually. We start going downhill, when we stop taking risks." (Laird Hamilton) Laird's active spirit keeps inspiring people to get better and take risks. "I don't want to not live because of my fear of what could happen,"(Laird Hamilton).

"ABOUT." LAIRD HAMILTON, 2016, www.lairdhamilton.com/about/. Accessed 28 Apr. 2017.

"Laird Hamilton." Laird Hamilton (Biography Today), Jan. 2010, p. 1. EBSCOhost,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=b6h&AN=34912649&site=brc-live.

"Laird Hamilton." Gale Biography in Context, Gale, 2006. Biography in Context,

link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1650005142/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=6dd59845. Accessed 28 Apr. 2017.

Hamilton, Laird. Force of Nature: Mind, Body, Soul and, of Course, Surfing. Emmaus, Rodale, 2010.