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Big Wave Surfer

The Greatest Rides of Our Lives

Kai Lenny author Don Vu author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Rizzoli International Publications

Published:21st Sep '21

Should be back in stock very soon

Big Wave Surfer cover

This book explores the thrilling world of big wave surfing through personal stories and stunning photography, featuring elite surfers and their incredible rides.

In Big Wave Surfer, readers are taken on an exhilarating journey through the thrilling and perilous world of big wave surfing. This captivating photographic display showcases some of the most colossal and dangerous waves ever ridden, alongside the legendary surfers who challenge them. Over the past decade, a select group of surfers has pushed the boundaries of the sport, taking it to new extremes. Among them is Kai Lenny, a prominent figure in the big wave surfing community, who shares his experiences and insights, inviting over 30 elite surfers to contribute their personal narratives.

The stories featured in Big Wave Surfer highlight the incredible feats and challenges faced by these athletes. From Shane Dorian's remarkable rides at Peahi (Jaws) in Maui to Peter Mel's historic wave at Mavericks in California, each account reveals the spirit of adventure and the risks involved in this extreme sport. Keala Kennelly's groundbreaking achievements at Teahupoo, Tahiti, and Kai Lenny's and Lucas Chumbo's victories at Nazaré, Portugal, emphasize the evolution of big wave surfing, showcasing how both seasoned veterans and emerging talents are redefining the limits.

Accompanied by stunning imagery from top surf photographers, Big Wave Surfer captures the essence of life and death in the surf. The breathtaking photographs not only portray the dramatic waves but also reflect the unwavering dedication and courage of these extreme athletes, making this book a must-read for surfing enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.

"[O]ne of the most impressive photographic tributes to [big wave surfing] ever published." —MAXIM

"Now, is there anything Maui’s Kai Lenny cannot do? Conquer oceanic mountains on all manner of craft, paddle between his islands like it was nothing at all, befriend the world’s 5th richest man and teach him to fly, charm two aging recently converted fitness buffs, revive the long-thought dead art of hardback book publishing. No, there is nothing he cannot do and, regarding the later, his gorgeous immortalization, published by Rizzoli, is due out October, 26th." —BEACH GRIT

"If racing down the face of a 70-foot-tall wave off the coast of Portugal sounds like a lifelong dream rather than a nightmare, you’ll appreciate this ode to big-wave surfing written by Hawaiian-born surfer Kai Lenny. Lenny shares stories and jaw-dropping photographs from his own escapades — including the time he successfully surfed that massive wave in Nazaré — alongside the experiences of 30 other big-wave surfers who have ridden giants across the globe, from Jaws in Maui to Teahupoo in Tahiti." —NEW YORK MAGAZINE

"It takes a special type of person to run toward danger. Or to paddle toward a massive wave. Most of us: not that type of person. But Kai Lenny is. He's one of the world’s best surfers, known for riding some of the world's biggest waves, and he's the youngest person to be inducted into the Surfers’ Hall of Fame. He's also the author of "Big Wave Surfer: The Greatest Rides of Our Lives," a new hardcover tome that offers an inside look at the sport. Throughout the book, Lenny shares his personal stories and perspectives, but he's also joined by more than 30 elite surfers—from old-school legends to exciting young athletes—who contribute tales of the greatest waves they've ever ridden. And since the book is published by Rizzoli, you know it's loaded with gorgeous imagery. Flip through the 304 pages to find photos of surfers riding waves in California, Maui and Nazaré, Portugal." —URBANDADDY.COM

"[Kai] Lenny's latest surfing endeavor is...sizeable: Big Wave Surfer is a 304-page large-format photography book that encompasses his journey as a surfer and waterman, but also shares the stories of more than 30 of the world’s top surfers with images from 50 of the world's best photographers alive today. The project took over two years to complete, and wouldn’t have been possible without the collaborative effort of the very people within its pages." —FIELD MAGAZINE

ISBN: 9780847870851

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

304 pages