Laird getting worked at Malibu

[lopezwill]

  What an epic swell for southern Calif and the Malibu region!  I took a sup surfing trip down there and captured some photos of Laird getting out of a dangerous area (situation) near the Malibu pier.  He caught an outside bomb and three proners - surfers cut him off.  He had to straighten out and take a very long set on the head then get dragged south to near the pier.  He just straddled the board while facing the foam head on and when he got into a safer spot, stood up and tried to paddle out through the plus surf and foam.  He got "Bucked off" on the third or fourth wave then was forced to prone paddle in a very dangerous south pulling rip current area.  This area had surf smashing into structure pilings just north of the pier.  I witnessed many surfers getting rescued from lifeguards in this area and it was dangerous.  There's more to the story and I'll save some advanced paddling maneuvers he performed at a later date.  This was a very long Hurricane set from the beginning to the end and it was relentless.  I got the feeling he finally just got pissed off and put his head down and with sheer determination, strength and Lairdness just prone paddled back out.  I learned a lot!  I had a great surf later in the day and will take with me great memories of huge surf in an area that I surfed when I was young.
 

[lopezwill]

Oops, I forgot these two.

[surfcowboy]

Makes you feel a little better knowing he pays dues too.

[OUTSIDEWAVE]

some how his getting worked seems like a lot less  than when I get worked.

[PonoBill]

He's paid plenty of dues. I've seen him at the guard shack at Ho'okipa looking like Popeye with a wad of spinach in his mouth. Stuck the nose of one of is big 14' boards through his cheek. Many stitches and he was back at the beach a few hours later.

[OUTSIDEWAVE]

Not exactly what I meant > i was referring to his skills as a  waterman and suggesting that because he is so good that he seems to be less impacted by  getting worked much  like a dolphin is less impacted by surf than say a pelican.

[Zooport]

Malibu is one of the worst places I have ever seen for people dropping in and it always has been.  You would think that Laird would get some respect, but I guess not.  Does anyone remember seeing video of Micky Dora shoving people who dropped in on him way back in the day? 

[XLR8]

His sheer Lairdness... .

[surfcowboy]

Ok, I'll bring up the elephant. Did he or did he not hit a guy thereby breaking that guy's arm. Not saying he's a bad guy but I will say that I didn't hear of a surfboard breaking an arm that day. I heard he hooked the arm with his paddle.

This may be a malicious rumor but I'd like to know the story since we all defend SUP gear and how safe an experienced rider is in the line up. Don't attack me, and please don't remind me that it's a dangerous sport, I know all that but if a paddle broke an arm in the lineup I'd like to hear about it, for educational purposes if nothing else.

As to the drop ins. It's Malibu, that's what happens, people share waves, drop in, bump each other, it's the way that spot is. Not saying it's right or wrong but it is actually pretty fun when good guys do it together and it's been that way since the 60's. Don't go there. It's horrible.

[XLR8]

I havent heard anything about that but I havent been all over the internet lately.  If that happened then whoa...

[surfcowboy]

I hate even bringing it up since it would have been unintentional and it could happen to anyone at any time. But we all discuss the safety of our gear and so I brought it up. And yes, please don't flame me, I know shortboards and pointy and fins are sharp and all that, but we are all carrying paddles and riding larger boards and if things happen I'd like to know more.

I only heard whispers of it and it's been mentioned in comments on the videos of him, mostly proners griping, but it'd be good to know about.

I can't imagine the remorse you'd feel. I've dinged boards but it's gotta be crazy to really hurt someone. I imagine if it happened that the locals are pretty protective of it. It'd be really bad press and as we all know, accidents happen, no need to pillory someone.

[SeaMe]

Ok, I'll bring up the elephant. Did he or did he not hit a guy thereby breaking that guy's arm. Not saying he's a bad guy but I will say that I didn't hear of a surfboard breaking an arm that day. I heard he hooked the arm with his paddle.

This may be a malicious rumor but I'd like to know the story since we all defend SUP gear and how safe an experienced rider is in the line up. Don't attack me, and please don't remind me that it's a dangerous sport, I know all that but if a paddle broke an arm in the lineup I'd like to hear about it, for educational purposes if nothing else.

As to the drop ins. It's Malibu, that's what happens, people share waves, drop in, bump each other, it's the way that spot is. Not saying it's right or wrong but it is actually pretty fun when good guys do it together and it's been that way since the 60's. Don't go there. It's horrible.

The name mentioned was "Brian E."—I have no idea who that it, but maybe someone local is familiar with him. I placed it in the mental rumor pile since it wasn't mentioned in any of the online reports.

[PonoBill]

I goggled it a half dozen different ways and even Binged it (bing?? Whot's that??). Nada. I'd say chances are it's rumor.

[The Kernel]

Appears that all those "Blame Laird" stickers have gotten traction....

[TallDude]

A few years ago, a very well know shaper and past champion surfer lost control of a new front steering race board he was testing in the surf, and hit a guy. The guy was pretty hurt, but was understanding. He knew it was out of character this well know shaper and that it was completely an accident.

Hey, 'Laird Happens'!