38 Quotes by Laird Hamilton

Fortunately, I was given an incredible foundation from my independent mother. She showed me what was possible from a strong, loving woman.

Exercising underwater also creates tremendous benefits by challenging your body in ways you can’t on dry land.

California has more distractions, more activities for the kids, more driving.

In Hawaii, the environment is fabulous. In Malibu, the people are fabulous. Our family unity is tight, and we have the Pacific Ocean outside our door in both places, so there is consistency.

I’m the dad, the cleanup guy. I deal with the bigger messes. But I also provide more adventures and excitement. It works out.

What we’ve been given is precious. It’s majestic in its smallest details and its largest manifestations. Anyone not humbled by the power of the ocean should take a good, long look at a fifty-foot wave. If you don’t have respect for a wave, it’s only a matter of time before the ocean teaches you to get some. We’re all equal before the wave.

Normally, people who are frustrated out in the water are frustrated on land. They brought their frustration with them. If you go to a beach where there are a hundred guys out, and you paddle out looking to ride waves alone, you’re setting yourself up.

Life with three daughters can be nerve-wracking, but it’s amazing to be loved by so many different women.

The idea is to become an old wizard; to live a long and fruitful life and have family and be healthy and enjoy the ride. And speaking of the ride, why not let it rip, at least a little bit? Everyone I know who’s really stoked about getting out of bed in the morning does that to some extent.