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Dave KalamaProfessional surfer, racer, guide.
Country:
 USA |
Content:
Biography of Dave Kalama
Dave Kalama, a professional surfer, racer, and guide, is known not only as an exceptional wave conqueror and actor but also as the inventor of several forms of surfing. His creations, such as tow-in surfing and stand-up paddling, have been highly praised by professional surfers and are gaining increasing popularity. Kalama comes from a lineage of outstanding Hawaiian athletes. It is known that his grandfather introduced outrigger canoes to mainland USA, and his father, Ilima Kalama, became the world surfing champion in 1962. Several notable landmarks, such as a beach in Maui and a city in Washington, are named after Kalama's family.
Early Life and Sports Career
Kalama began actively participating in sports during his school years, specializing in skiing and football. He trained primarily at the Mammoth Lakes ski resort in California. It is believed that Kalama, together with Laird Hamilton, Darrick Doerner, and Buzzy Kerbox, laid the foundations for tow-in surfing. This type of surfing involves using relatively short boards with special foot straps, designed to conquer fast and high waves. Since catching such a wave by traditional means is often impossible, tow-in devices, such as jet skis or handheld water jet turbines, are used to propel the tow board for gliding.
Contributions to Surfing
Kalama and Hamilton also actively promoted another unique water sport, stand-up paddling (SUP surfing). Although the modern variation of this sport is less than a decade old, it draws inspiration from ancient Hawaiian art known as "hoe he'e nalu." Furthermore, Kalama and Hamilton are credited with the creation of hydrofoil surfing, a technique that involves riding waves on underwater wings.
Apart from inventing new forms of surfing, Kalama and Hamilton also contribute to the development of the sport through filmmaking. Their work on surfing films was recognized in July 2006 when they received the "Beacon" award at the Maui Film Festival for their contributions to the revival of surfing cinema. To minimize risks during film shoots, Kalama and Hamilton carefully prepare the necessary equipment and select a trustworthy team of surfers and lifeguards. They prefer shooting on their invented tow-in surfboards, as this style of riding allows them to tackle the largest and most spectacular waves. Their favorite filming location is Pe'ahi Bay, famously known as "Jaws."
With their extensive experience and incredible wave intuition, Kalama and Hamilton are able to perform tricks that appear highly dangerous or simply impossible. While they have faced life-threatening situations caused by the powerful waves of local atolls, Kalama and his partner have managed to come out victorious.
