Laird Hamilton is an American big-wave surfer, waterman, and innovator, recognized for his uncommon combination of balance, flexibility, and strength. He is known as a guiding genius of crossover board sports, including co-inventing tow-in surfing and pioneering stand-up paddle boarding and hydrofoil boarding. Born Laird John Zerfas in San Francisco in 1964, he moved to Hawaii as an infant and was later adopted by surfer William Stuart 'Bill' Hamilton.