34TH AND MADISON: LAIRD HAMILTON DROPS IN ON US!

It could be argued that no one has changed the face of a sport more in the last twenty years than Laird Hamilton has for surfing. The man reinvented how surfers look at and access the ocean. For starters, he and some friends invented the tow-in, which in one winter seemingly doubled the number of waves that could be surfed in the world (it all cumulated in this "Oh, my God" wave in 2001 from the movie Riding Giants). He's also been instrumental in pushing stand-up paddling, foilboarding, windsurfing, kitesurfing and long distance paddling (watch more here and here). Seriously, if there's something that can be done in the ocean, you can bet Laird has done it and made it better in some way.

In addition to being a hell-man in the water, Laird has also been a major ambassador of his sport, spreading his love and respect for surfing around the world—and even in our offices! He recently dropped by to talk about the launch of his new clothing line Wonderwall, which offers surf and skate-inspired duds for less than ten bucks (by the same people that did Stephon Marbury's Starbury line). He also talked sports in general, his thoughts on the greatest living athlete and surfing Easter Island with Obama.

We're not ashamed to admit it: we think Laird rules the school. So let's just say it was a happy day around here.

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