- 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.
- 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
- Was chosen by director Albert Pyun to replace Dolph Lundgren as He-Man in the unproduced sequel to Masters of the Universe (1987).
- As a small boy, he introduced his mother to his stepfather, after having met Bill Hamilton on a Hawaiian beach.
- 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.
- Stepson of 1960s surfing legend Bill Hamilton who is also a surfboard shaper.
- Chosen by People (USA) magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world (1996)
- Release of his book, "Force of Nature: Mind, Body, Soul and, of course, Surfing". (2008)
- He is the son of Joann V. (Zyirek) and L. G. Zerfas. The surname "Zerfas" is German.
- 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.
- Had a daughter, Izabella, with Maria in 1995.
- Daughter, Brody Jo Hamilton, born 2 January 2008, weighing 8 pounds, 2 ounces.
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