Who Is Laird Hamilton? Age, Biography and Wiki
Laird Hamilton was born on March 2, 1964, making him 61 years old as of 2025. Known for his extraordinary skills in big-wave surfing, Hamilton has pushed the boundaries of what is possible on the waves. His innovative techniques and adventurous spirit have firmly established him as an icon in the surfing community. You can find more detailed information about his life and achievements on his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Models |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 2, 1964 |
| Age | 61 Years |
| Birth Place | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Laird Hamilton's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Laird Hamilton is known for his athletic physique. He stands at an impressive height of 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm) and weighs around 200 lbs (91 kg). His well-toned body reflects his dedication to fitness and an active lifestyle, which includes surfing, training, and various physical workouts to maintain his strength and agility.
On that day, with a larger than normal ocean swell, Darrick Doerner piloted the watercraft, towing Hamilton. Pulling in and releasing the tow rope, Hamilton drove down into the well of the wave's enormous tunnel vortex, in full view of boat-based photographers' and videographers' cameras.
With his signature artistic flair, Hamilton continued deeply carving water, emerging back over the wave's shoulder. A still photograph of him riding the wave made the cover of Surfer magazine, with the caption: "oh my god..." The wave became known as "the heaviest ever ridden".
In the filmed coverage of this event in the motion picture Riding Giants, Doerner said "I towed him onto this wave. And it was to the point where I almost said 'Don't let go of the rope,' and when I looked back he was gone."
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Laird Hamilton is married to Gabrielle Reece, a former professional volleyball player and fitness model. The couple has been together since 1999 and shares two daughters, Storm and Blaze. Their relationship is often celebrated in the media for its strong foundation and mutual support in their respective careers.
His biological father, L. G. Zerfas, immigrated from Greece to California and left the family before his first birthday. While he was an infant, Laird and his mother, Joann (née Zyirek), moved to Hawaii.
In 1967, while still a young boy living on Oahu, Laird met with 1960s surfer William Stuart "Bill" Hamilton, a bachelor at the time, on Pūpūkea beach on the North Shore.
Bill Hamilton was a surfboard shaper and glasser on Oahu in the 1960s and 1970s and owned a small business handmaking custom, high-performance surfboards for the Oahu North Shore big wave riders of the era. The two became immediate companions. The young Laird invited Bill Hamilton home to meet his mother.
Bill Hamilton married Laird's then-single mother, becoming Laird's adoptive father.
Net Worth and Salary
Laird Hamilton has a strong presence on social media platforms, including Instagram and Twitter. His posts often feature breathtaking surf scenes, insights into his training regimen, and glimpses of his family life. With millions of followers, he uses his platform to inspire and connect with fans and fellow fitness enthusiasts.
Career, Business and Investments
Throughout his career, Laird has not only established himself as a premier big-wave surfer but has also ventured into television, fitness, and wellness business arenas. He has created several surf-related products and co-founded companies that focus on wellness and nutrition. His appearances in documentaries and surf films have cemented his status as a legend, allowing him to advocate for ocean conservation and healthy living.
When he was 16, Hamilton left the eleventh grade at Kapaa High School to pursue a modeling career and work in construction. At 17, Hamilton was discovered on a beach in Kauai by a photographer from the Italian Men's Vogue magazine L'Uomo Vogue which landed him a modeling contract and later a 1983 photo shoot with the actress Brooke Shields.
Hamilton continued to do occasional men's action sportswear print modeling.
Education
An early attempt at media recognition was his quest to be the first surfer to complete a 360 degree loop while strapped to his board. The attempt was chronicled in Greg Stump's 1990 ski film, Groove - Requiem in the key of Ski.
In the early 1990s, Hamilton, along with a small group of friends collectively dubbed the "Strapped Crew" because their feet were strapped to their boards, pushed the boundaries of surfing at Jaws surf break off the north central coast of Maui. The Strapped Crew tackled bigger waves featuring stunts.
Stunts included: launching 30 ft jumps on sailboards, then mating the boards to paragliders to experiment with some of the earliest kiteboards.
