There aren’t many people on this earth that can surf big waves as well as Laurie Towner. He does it quietly, though, and a light tread, easy smile, and a soft voice aren’t always what a sponsor wants.
Remember back in 2014 when Billabong was looking down the barrel of a failing industry and was forced to ax a few of their people? Well, Laurie Towner, one of the best big wave surfers in the whole wide world, was one of them. It seemed to be an odd decision.
Laurie, however, took it in stride. With a baby on the way and no other major sponsors banging down the door, he simply stepped back into a normal life. He got a normal job and surfed when he could, just like everyone else. Except he’s not like everyone else. Laurie Towner was a bonafide hellman who surfed enormous waves with the sort of preternatural ease that can only come from putting oneself in very dangerous waves very often.
And he still can. When he saw a swell headed for Fiji and the stars aligned for him to be there, he made damn sure to remind us that he’s still got it.
Surfing Huge Cloudbreak | Lucid Dreaming | Laurie Towner | needESSENTIALS from Skuff TV on Vimeo.
