The surf legend and volleyball star open up about weathering rough seas in their 20-year marriage, staying in incredible shape and raising their family
Here’s one perk of being married to a professional surfer: When he arises every day well before dawn, with his wife, Gabrielle Reece, and daughters still fast asleep in their Malibu home, Laird Hamilton makes sure to empty the dishwasher before heading to the beach. “For married women, that’s called foreplay,” jokes Reece. Still, there’s a tradeoff: “He also leaves empty coffee cups.”
One of the world’s most athletically gifted couples, legendary big-wave rider Hamilton, 53, and pro volleyball champion Reece, 47, are about to celebrate their 20th anniversary next month. That milestone hasn’t been easy for two driven competitors, and they’re candid about how they’ve weathered struggles in their marriage. “I say it’s called a relation ‘ship,’” says Hamilton. “We are in a boat, we have to work together. Sometimes it’s stormy, sometimes it’s calm, but you have to put the effort in.”
This story is from the October 23,2017 edition of People.
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This story is from the October 23,2017 edition of People.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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