Despite a Massive Honor, Big-Wave Surfer Laird Hamilton Opened Up on Not Competing Professionally in 2015: “Surfing Is Art”

Laird Hamilton is not just an outstanding surfer, he is the one who conquered some biggest waves in the world. His inevitable relationship with water saw its actualization much before he happened to the world. In fact, Hamilton was born in an underwater tank that was prepared for deep-sea exploration. Later, he learned the skills and tricks from his stepfather, Bill Hamilton, who himself was a pro surfer.

Surprisingly, being the greatest surfer, Laird never competed professionally. In 2015, the big-wave-surfer gave several reasons why he never participated professionally in surfing tournaments. 

Surprisingly, Laird Hamilton is more competitive than most

Laird Hamilton is undeniably the greatest surfer of all time. He has done some miraculous work in the ocean. However, he never tried his skills professionally. Hamilton liked to reserve his surfing capabilities for bringing innovations for surfers, saving lives at sea, and so on. Eventually, in 2015, he opened up about why he continued to maintain his stance concerning professional surfing.

Hamilton said, “It’s very difficult to judge surfing because surfing is art.” Hamilton felt surfing is an art form that can get puzzling when it gets tangled up with points, ratings, and all.

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He disclosed another reason for his absence from the professional world. He said, “I’m a terrible loser. I was so competitive, I wouldn’t compete. Show me somebody who can lose well, and I’ll show you somebody who loses.” 

How did Hamilton’s stepfather contribute to this decision?

As mentioned earlier, Laird’s stepfather was a pro-surfer. Bill gave him beginner’s lessons, which led him to become a legendary surfer. On the other hand, Bill’s journey is one of the reasons why Laird kept his distance from competing as a professional surfer.

Laird said, “I watched my stepfather, who was one of the best surfers of his time, get judged. I watched him have some weird calls in contests, whether they were fair or unfair, and I saw the devastation that it caused him.” 

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The big-wave surfing legend explained the reasons that had kept him from competing as a professional. However, his contribution to the sport has been nothing less than incredible. What do you think about his reasoning for not competing professionally?