When he isn’t pushing the limits of aerodynamics on the Formula 1 racetrack, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton enjoys chasing adrenaline in a totally different landscape: on the water.
In a new video posted to his Instagram, the racing icon traded his Ferarri cockpit for a wake surfboard, carving a clean wave behind a high-performance tow boat.
The clip sent shockwaves through the global surfing community when Hamilton casually pulled off a 360-degree spin on the face of the wake – a bygone maneuver, once very popular amongst surfers, but has since gone somewhat out of style.
See below.
While aerial reverses and haily mary hacks dominate modern surfing, a clean, carving 360 on the surface is a classic, flow-heavy maneuver that is rarely seen in mainstream surfing these days.
The surf world quickly flooded Hamilton’s comment section with high praise, with professional surfers and fans marveling at his progression.
“Yewww that was epic,” wrote Kai Lenny.
“You know the feeling,” penned Italo Ferreira.
“Ripping!!” the WSL commented.
Of course, this is far from the first time Hamilton has shared his deep, authentic love for surfing.
The racing legend is a self-proclaimed surf addict who has visited Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in Lemoore, California a handful of times in the past.
“Surfing is one of my favorite sports— outside of racing.
I love sitting out beyond the waves, feeling the ocean around me, it makes me appreciate the power that’s around us everyday.
Emotionally and physically this has been a challenging break, but the opportunity to get in the waves has cleared my mind and opened me up to the beauty around us.
“I hope to one day surf everyday.
Catching that perfect wave and riding it into the sunset.
This is me speaking it into existence.
If you have a dream, don’t let anybody tell you can’t achieve it.
Manifest those dreams by putting your all into it and never giving up.”
