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Life’s Work: An Interview with Laird Hamilton

Jennifer Cawley

After mastering traditional surfing as a teenager in Hawaii, Hamilton devoted the rest of his life to leading innovation in the sport. Working with different teams, he helped to invent, refine, and popularize tow-in, hydrofoil, and stand-up paddle surfing—all in an attempt to ride bigger and bigger waves. He has also starred in surf films and documentaries, launched a nutritional food business, and developed training programs for amateur and professional athletes.

A version of this article appeared in the March–April 2025 issue of Harvard Business Review.

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