Chosen by People (USA) magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world

Known for surfing the monster waves, having been a pioneer of using jet skis to tow surfers into huge waves. Big wave accomplishments: the "Millennium" in Teahupoo, Tahiti in 2000 and "Jaws" in Maui in 2002

Stepfather Bill Hamilton is a surfboard shaper.

Left school at 16 to take up modeling.

Mother, Joan (also a surfer) gave birth to him in a "bathysphere" as part of an experiement at UC Med Center in San Fransisco.

Stepson of 60s surf legend, Bill Hamilton.

Revolutionizing surfing with a sport he calls Foilboarding. A surfboard with foot straps has a hydrofoil attached underneath so that at speed the board rises out of the water making it much more maneuverable.

Is widely considered to be the greatest big wave surfer in history.

Met his wife when she interviewed him about big wave surfing as a host for the TV series, "The Extremists " (1995).

Has one daughter with Gabrielle Reece, named Reece, born October 2003.

Had a daughter, Izabella, with Maria in 1995.

Was chosen by Albert Pyun to replace Dolph Lundgren in the unfilmed Masters of the Universe (1987) sequel.

As a small boy, he introduced his mother to his stepfather, after having met Bill Hamilton on a Hawaiian beach.

Daughter, Brody Jo Hamilton, born 2 January 2008, weighing 8 pounds, 2 ounces.