Dave Kalama

Dave Kalama is an accomplished big wave surfer, windsurfer, and watersports enthusiast residing in Hawaii with his family. He is renowned for co-developing tow-in surfing alongside notable figures such as Laird Hamilton, Darrick Doerner, and Buzzy Kerbox. In addition to this, Kalama has been instrumental in reviving interest in stand-up paddling, an ancient Hawaiian water sport. Partnering with Hamilton, he has embarked on a series of ambitious solo paddle events between the Hawaiian islands.

Before his prominence in the watersports arena, Kalama was an accomplished athlete in high school, competing in ski racing and football in the picturesque winter resort town of Mammoth Lakes, California. His deep-rooted connection to Hawaiian culture shines through his lineage; his grandfather introduced outrigger canoe paddling to the U.S., while his father, Ilima Kalama, was a world champion surfer in 1962 and a dedicated outrigger canoe paddler.

In recognition of their contributions to the surf film genre, Kalama and his business partner, Laird Hamilton, received the Beacon Award at the Maui Film Festival in July 2006, underscoring their impact on surfing culture and the arts. With his extensive background and continuous innovations in water sports, Dave Kalama remains a significant figure in the world of aquatic athletics.