Dave Kalama

Last updated
Dave Kalama
Personal information
Born Newport Beach, California, U.S.
Residence Kula, Hawaii, U.S.
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight195
Surfing career
SponsorsQuickBlade, Kaenon, Easy Rider, Kalama Kamps
Major achievementsWindsurfing World Championships: 1991 Hard Rock World Cup of Windsurfing/Ho'okipa Winner, 2010 Rainbow Sandals Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships SUP Winner, Naish Maliko 2010 14’ Winner, 2011 Maui Naish International Paddleboard Championship (Maliko) Winner, 2011 SUP Awards "Top Male Paddler" Finalist.
Surfing specifications
StanceRegular (natural foot)
Shaper(s)Dave Kalama
QuiverSUP surf boards, SUP downwind boards, SUP race boards, tow-in surfboards, surfboards, foil boards, windsurfs, OC-1, OC-4.
Favorite waves Jaws (beach)
Favorite maneuvers Tow-in surfing
Websitewww.davidkalama.com

Dave Kalama is a big wave surfer/tow-in surfer, stand-up paddle (SUP) surfer and racer, surf and SUP board shaper, windsurfer, outrigger canoe racer, private adventure guide, and celebrity watersports enthusiast. Kalama, his wife, 2 sons and 1 daughter live in Kula, Maui.

Contents

Kalama is credited with the co-development of the big wave surfing technique of tow-in surfing, along with Laird Hamilton, Darrick Doerner, and Buzzy Kerbox. [1] Recently, Kalama together with close friend Laird Hamilton have been actively promoting and mastering an ancient Hawaiian mode of water transportation and watersport called SUP, "stand-up paddling", and he has begun a series of increasingly longer solo paddle events between various Hawaiian islands. Kalama and Hamilton are also credited with the co-development of "foil surfing" (hydrofoil surfing).

Kalama is a descendant from a long line of noteworthy Hawaiian watermen; his grandfather brought outrigger canoe paddling to the mainland U.S., and his father Ilima Kalama was the 1962 world-champion surfer and a lifelong outrigger canoe paddler. [2] Kalama is known socially amongst surfers as placing a high respect on local and community surf etiquette.

Kalama is a part-time coach to SUP competitors Kai Lenny (2010 and 2011 SUP Surf World Champion) and Slater Trout.

As a high school age athlete, Kalama was a competitive ski racer and high school football player in the winter sports resort town of Mammoth Lakes, California. [3] [4] [5]

In July 2006, Kalama and BamMan Productions business partner Laird Hamilton were jointly awarded the Beacon Award at the Maui Film Festival for "helping to revive the surf film genre." [6]

Kalama and Laird Hamilton

Kalama and fellow celebrity surfing pal Laird Hamilton have been featured in big wave riding films and photographs while riding the largest ocean waves in recorded history. For survival, they surf together and only with other wave riders they absolutely trust (critical life-saving rescues from the tow-in watercraft are commonplace—they take turns piloting the craft—trust is paramount). Their preference is the tow-in surfing method (which they co-invented), which affords them the ability to catch the largest (and fastest) of ocean waves; their preferred location is the reef at Pe'ahi (pronounced pay-ah-hee) (commonly called "Jaws") on the northcentral coast of the Island of Maui (known for holding and breaking the largest waves on the planet); and their preferred riding style is "radical, late take-offs, forceful sweeping drops and turns across the face of 60+ footer waves, exiting over the shoulder of the wave at the end of the ride (to catch a tow ride back outside for another ride, of course)". Their extreme wave rides, chronicled in film and photographs, are daredevil conquests that do not seem possible (or wise!). They have survived near-death experiences in major "wipe-outs" under mountains of falling water.[ citation needed ]

Film appearances

Kalama appeared in the opening sequence of the James Bond film Die Another Day .

In October 2006, Kalama, along with friend and celebrity waterman, Laird Hamilton, biked and paddled the entire Hawaiian Island chain—more than 450 miles—in a week. The feat was featured on Don King's film Beautiful Son in support of those afflicted with autism. [7]

Kalama won an award for his role in Riding Giants . [8]

Kalama has also appeared in The Endless Summer II and Step Into Liquid .[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laird Hamilton</span> American big-wave surfer

Laird John Hamilton is an American big-wave surfer, co-inventor of tow-in surfing, and an occasional fashion and action-sports model and actor. He is married to Gabrielle Reece, a former professional volleyball player, television personality, and model.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big wave surfing</span> Surfing waves at least 20 ft high

Big wave surfing is a discipline within surfing in which experienced surfers paddle into, or are towed into, waves which are at least 20 feet high, on surf boards known as "guns" or towboards. Sizes of the board needed to successfully surf these waves vary by the size of the wave as well as the technique the surfer uses to reach the wave. A larger, longer board allows a rider to paddle fast enough to catch the wave and has the advantage of being more stable, but it also limits maneuverability and surfing speed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Aikau</span> Hawaiian surfer and lifeguard

Edward Ryan Makuahanai Aikau was a Hawaiian lifeguard and surfer. As the first lifeguard at Waimea Bay on the island of Oahu, he saved over 500 people and became famous for surfing the big Hawaiian surf, winning several awards including the 1977 Duke Kahanamoku Invitational Surfing Championship. The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational is named in his honor. He was also a crew member on the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa.

A foilboard, also known as a hydrofoil board or foil surfboard, is a type of board used in water sports; it is distinct from surfboards in that it has a hydrofoil rather than fins mounted underneath. This hydrofoil design allows the surfboard and its rider to rise above the water’s surface, allowing for fast speeds and increased maneuverability in a wide range of surf conditions. Foilboards are becoming increasingly popular across many water sports, including surfing, kiteboarding, windsurfing, and wakeboarding. Foilboards have also been used in competitions, with riders reaching speeds of up to 30 km/h while performing acrobatic maneuvers such as flips and twists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tow-in surfing</span> Surfing technique

Tow-in surfing is a surfing technique which uses artificial assistance to allow the surfer to catch faster-moving waves than was traditionally possible when paddling by hand. Tow-in surfing was invented by surfers who wanted to catch big waves and break the 30 ft (9 m) barrier. It has been one of the biggest breakthroughs in surfing history.

Patrick Shane Dorian, or "Shane", is an American surfer from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. He spent 11 years touring on the World Championship Tour as a professional surfer. Dorian quit competition surfing in 2003 to focus on big waves. He is currently a big wave surfer and one of the best in the world at big wave riding.

Jeff Clark is one of the most noteworthy big-wave surfers, famous for surfing Mavericks alone for 15 years before it was widely discovered by the big-wave surfing community.

<i>Riding Giants</i> 2004 film by Stacy Peralta

Riding Giants is a 2004 documentary film produced by Agi Orsi and directed and narrated by Stacy Peralta, a famous skater/surfer. The movie traces the origins of surfing and specifically focuses on the art of big wave riding. Some of the featured surfers are Greg Noll, Laird Hamilton, and Jeff Clark, and surfing pioneers such as Mickey Munoz. The film premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peahi, Hawaii</span> Big Wave Surf beach in Hawaii

Peʻahi is a place on the north shore of the island of Maui in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It has lent its name to a big wave surfing break, also known as Jaws.

Paddleboarding is a water sport in which participants are propelled by a swimming motion using their arms while lying or kneeling on a paddleboard or surfboard in the ocean or other body of water. Paddleboarding is usually performed in the open ocean, with the participant paddling and surfing unbroken swells to cross between islands or journey from one coastal area to another.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Cabrinha</span> American athlete and entrepreneur (born 1961)

Pete Cabrinha is an American big-wave surfer, windsurfer, kitesurfer and artist. He is the founder and brand manager of Cabrinha Kites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Standup paddleboarding</span> Water sport

Standup paddleboarding (SUP) is a water sport born from surfing with modern roots in Hawaii. Standup paddleboarders stand on boards that are floating on the water and use a paddle to propel themselves through the water. The sport was documented in a 2013 report that identified it as the outdoor sporting activity with the most first-time participants in the United States that year. Variations include flat water paddling, racing, surfing, whitewater SUP, yoga, and fishing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Long (surfer)</span> American surfer (born 1983)

Greg Long is an American surfer from San Clemente, California. He has won the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational, in memory of Eddie Aikau at Waimea Bay, the Red Bull Titans of Mavericks event held at Mavericks in Northern California, and the Red Bull Big Wave Africa event held at Dungeons in Hout Bay, South Africa. Additionally, he is the most decorated surfer in the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards. He is widely regarded as one of the best big wave surfers in the world.

Darrick Doerner is a big wave pioneer in the sport of tow-in surfing, in which personal water craft are used to tow surfers into large surf. Also known by the nickname, Double D, Doerner is an accomplished big wave surfer himself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrea Moller</span> Brazilian-American canoeist and surfer

Andrea Moller is a Brazilian-American competitive canoeist and surfer. She competes in every outrigger race large event, from one-man (OC1) to six-man (OC6) canoes as well as SUP long-distance races all year round. She is a professional Paramedic and mother, on Maui where she lives.

Mark Robert Visser is an Australian professional big wave surfer, author, keynote speaker and ocean adventurer. Visser is best known for being the first person to surf Hawaii's most dangerous wave Jaws, Maui, at night in 2011. It was documented in a film called 'Night Rider'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garrett McNamara</span> American Big Wave Surfer

Garrett "GMAC" McNamara is an American professional big wave surfer best known for setting the world record for largest wave ever surfed, as documented in the HBO series 100 Foot Wave. McNamara is also known for successfully negotiating a monstrous barrel at Jaws and being the first person ever to ride a wave formed from calving glaciers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kai Lenny</span> American waterman

Kai Lenny is an American professional big wave surfer, stand-up paddle (SUP) surfer and racer, surfer, tow-in surfer, windsurfer, kitesurfer, wing foiler and celebrity watersports enthusiast. Lenny lives on Maui.

Jimmy Lewis is a Hawaiian surfer, sailor and surfboard shaper.

Burton "Buzzy" Kerbox is an American surfer, photographer and model. He is best known for co-developing tow-in surfing with Laird Hamilton, Dave Kalama, and a handful of other surfers in the mid-1990s.

References

  1. National Geographic Adventure Interview with Dave Kalama, July 2002.
  2. "The Life Aquatic" by Jason Hilford Maui No Ka 'Oi Magazine Vol. 10 No. 1 (Jan. 2006). Archived July 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Jenkins, Bruce (January 31, 2001). "Surf season riding crest". sfgate.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
  4. Matt Warshaw (2003). Maverick's: The Story of Big-Wave Surfing. Chronicle Books. ISBN   0811841596.
  5. Bruce Jenkins (2005). North Shore Chronicles: Big-Wave Surfing in Hawaii. Frog Books. ISBN   158394124X.
  6. "Extreme Surfers to be Honored" The Honolulu Advertiser, June 16, 2006
  7. "Hamilton and Kalama Lend a Hand", Maui No Ka 'Oi Magazine Vol.11 No.1 (Jan. 2007). Archived 2011-06-11 at the Wayback Machine
  8. "Beacon Award for Laird Hamilton & Dave Kalama in Maui". www.globalsurfnews.com. Archived from the original on 2011-05-27. Retrieved 2007-12-26.

External Links

  1. "A Waterman's Journal" (http://www.davidkalama.com). Retrieved January 19, 2012
  2. "Surfing Into Jaws" (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0207/q_n_a.html). National Geographic. July 2002. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0207/q_n_a.html. Retrieved January 19, 2012
  3. "SUP the Mag" (http://www.supthemag.com/2011-sup-awards/vote/top-3-male-paddlers/). SUP the Mag. http://www.supthemag.com/2011-sup-awards/vote/top-3-male-paddlers/ Retrieved January 19, 2012
  4. "Jamie Mitchell wins Paddleboard and Dave Kalama wins SUP at Molokai2Oahu Race." (https://web.archive.org/web/20120518111728/http://paddle-board.net/jamie-mitchell-wins-paddleboard-and-dave-kalama-wins-sup-at-molokai2oahu-race/). Paddleboard Fresh Sup Stoke Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  5. "Dave Kalama Waterman" (http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1659120-Dave-Kalama---Waterman). http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1659120-Dave-Kalama---Waterman Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  6. YouTube: All Aboard The Crazy Train - Trailer - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r12QE_julpI).
  7. Vimeo: Dave Kalama Spin'n and Grin'n (https://web.archive.org/web/20111225180705/http://vimeo.com/28743548).