Memorabilia

Item Description

Greg was born and raised in San Clemente, California where he grew up on the beach. His father, Steve, was the lifeguard supervisor for the San Clemente and San Onofre State Parks. Consequently, Greg was introduced to the water and surfing at a very young age. He began surfing competitively at the age of twelve and continued to surf at the top of his class during the years following. Along the way he met local Big Wave hero, Jon Walla, who took Greg under his wing and introduced him to the world of big wave surfing. At age 15, following the lead of his mentor, he soon found himself tackling some of the largest waves in the world. His competitive focus and desire quickly took a back seat to his new found passion, but not before taking one last victory at the NSSA National Championships during the summer of 2001. Greg surfed his way to a dramatic underdog victory, clinching the 2001 Open Men’s Title at his home break Trestles. Renowned as one of the most prestigious amateur events in the world, his name is now enshrined among a list of past champions along the likes of Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, and CJ Hobgood.

Today, Greg is now often referred to as “The best young big wave surfer on the planet.” Following an “endless winter” he tracks and follows the biggest storms and swells around the planet and has become seemingly adept at being in the right location at the perfect moment. At a mere 25 years of age, his big wave credentials and accolades speak for themselves. He is currently the winingest surfer at the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave awards with a total of 8 nominations and 4 awards. He won “performer of the year” in 2005 and 2008, Biggest Paddle-in wave in 2008, and Biggest Wave of the Year in 2007 with a 65 foot behemoth caught down off the southern cape of Africa at a break called Dungeons. 

In 2003 at the age of 19, he won the Red Bull Big Wave Africa, the second longest running big wave paddle event in the world. That win earned him an invite the following year to the Mavericks Surf Contest where he placed second in 2005 and won the event in 2008. In 2008 he also earned an official invitation to the “Eddie Aikau” Big Wave Invitation held at Waimea Bay Hawaii. Renowned as the most prestigious big wave event of all time, Greg has become one of only two surfers in the world to be invited to all three major big wave paddle events.

The board is a 6' 5" Chris Christensen board.

Item Special Note

Shipping and handling not included. Item can be picked up at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel or purchaser can arrange for shipping. Boards will be available for pick up or shipping on or after Wednesday, January 2, 2013.