Big wave kayaking - Tao Berman 2012

Tao Berman is revered as one of the worlds most innovative kayakers. Berman has pushed the sport to new limits and is doing it again with "Big wave kayaking."
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[@chobson1989]

That same week I was paddling into bigger waves in the UK, no support, no cameras... its such a shame that me, 3x world surf kayak champion can not even get to speak to a company like redbull to get support for something like this, and tao berman can get them to support him to do this...'towed into big waves...' more like Bounce uncontrollably down a big wave.... I have utmost respect for Tao, as he has pushed kayaking to new limits, but stick to what you know, stick to the rivers... The big companies should look further than the end of their nose and give someone like me a chance! Surfing the biggest wave in a kayak is my dream, and my goal, i will do it with or without their support.

[@alisternelson2273]

i totally agree , but the funny thing is that you say stick to what he knows , most of his videos show how much he doesn't know even a stick can get down a water fall and i think the stick has more brains anyway . (I'm no grade 5 paddler or big wave kayaker , i just do the small stuff so far)

[@oregonxyz]

everybody wants to be a celebrity - all of us "average" people are very bored with all the cat-fighting amongst the look-at-me crowd

[@BugTheRoot]

It is all about marketing, mate

[@pebblespaddles]

@@alisternelson2273 your assumption that waterfalls are easy to run shows your lack of understanding and kayak ability

[@stew-tube]

No you weren’t lol

[@music4lifesux]

4:00 "At that point when I'm getting rag-dolled end over end I realized how significant you are out there" I think he meant INsignificant, or maybe he just thinks he's more important than the waves.

[@C---M]

***** hehehe hey man it takes a lot to think, talk and sound important at the same time :)

[@davidly8059]

Lol I think he meant insignificant

[@charleyhibschweiler4555]

The second one

[@masonmonnie]

This had me crying

[@tr3nta345]

Hopefully he does, who sees waves as more important than themselves

[@martibridges1]

I'm with Jamey Moore who says no one retires from kayaking. I'm 57 and still running whitewater after 36 years. It's only Class III and IV, but still. And surf kayaking is a lot harder than river whitewater for sure. Glad to see Tao trying something new.

[@ValerieprimcessAmanda]

I'm 54 and when it gets delivered I'll just be beginning kayaking. :)

[@savagecabage]

"thats the same things that waves around going to do, push you forward" great, thanks for the physics lesson there mate

[@dickylobster]

Every wave no matter what the size, is a challenge and an adventure in life. One day in the surf and you want to retire? Your not a Waterman.

[@soad4ever16]

Exactly my thoughts!

[@byronpratt9697]

You’re*

[@mortuimordent7866]

Indeed i'm not that good but the trill is what makes it fun not some camera or the attention

[@pebblespaddles]

dude he literally pushed the limits of kayaking for most of his young adult life. we both know you cant say the same.

[@Belisarius277]

@@pebblespaddles if you look at the video i mostly see gravity collaborating with poor risk assesment. But hey, apparantly falling flat on your face equals "pushing the limits".To me this is just testing the tolerance of nature with stupidity

[@kaibe5241]

That shot at the end is awesome, showcases just how big those waves are.

[@joynthis]

Tow Berman.

[@Romany1111]

Basically a Red Bull ad. Berman's "performance" was heavily edited because he was unable to do anything near what he thought he'd be able to do. Doesn't understand ocean/surf kayak skills and is not interested in learning. He collected his check, I am sure.

[@AdventTour_net]

There is a realy awsome Kayak-Surfing movie by Steve Fisher. There you can realy see, what is possible in a Surf-Kayak

[@Romany1111]

THeQUAKt Thanks. Also check out "Fly Don't Fall" featuring Chris Hobson (UK) boater.

[@stoneweasel]

THeQUAKt It is a cool film but still does not really begin to show what is doable in a surf kayak. Steve, while an amazing paddler, will still very much admit that he still has a lot to learn about surf kayaking. He does seem to be keen to learn and become great in the surf though so fair play to him.

[@meatballpit]

I disliked because he said he could think of nothing more and is "retiring from paddling"...there is always more to shoot for my friend

[@jacobrutherford2407]

Yeah like take on Nazare or peahi then your in the big waves

[@jakedavid2523]

Or like paddling into a wave. He’d get rocked at an average beach break a couple feet overhead

[@jamesbadham228]

Or just drive down the coast to Mav's. The whole Red Bull, overproduce, over-edited thing is just bullshit.

[@gretazagarino]

Wow... can't believe the haters have nothing better to do. Tao made a living at a sport he loved, and he did push the envelope for all of the punks doing his same tricks today. Like him or hate him, he's managed to do something I admire: play to work and work to play. He made a living, providing for his family... kayaking. Congratulations, Tao, you have way more fans than haters who have respect for all that you do. Nuff said.

[@Dan-Rather]

But he was rude and inconsiderate. He ignored the whole aurf kayak community during his prep for this.... he even came out to Jalama to "train" for three days. Many of us were catching overhead bombs while he sat on the beach and drank. He never got wet 🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@graemestevens3560]

Kids an absolute beater

[@199hamill]

tao berman.. the most hated pro in kayaking

[@jessicatritt3458]

who Tao he is better then you will ever be I bet you did not run a 98 foot waterfall like him

[@alexsolli6680]

lol this chick tf

[@gabrieldeschenes607]

Ya Jessica Tritt u can’t run such a drop ether so stfu! My step dad Brent Cooper competed many times with that dushe and he know for a fact that he’s the cockyest kayaker he’s ever met!

[@lordofnothing.]

@@jessicatritt3458 i'm sure he is not hated for his achievements, but for his character ^^

[@madmiguelh2o]

You're right. Even the rivers he paddled earlier in his career are way more serious than towing into big waves. the same goes for some of these really tall drops too though. They are impressive but the threats are more about injury than drowning. Rush Sturges and Steve Fischer just paddled the Congo river with like 1.5 million cfs. That makes this big wave thing seem like class 3. But whatever its still cool.

[@jesterthezombie6923]

Okay....Biggest I saw there was about 30ft.... I've kayak surfed 55(ish)ft in Mullaghmore, about an hour's drive from my house. This guy should come visit, he'd be in for a shock.

[@Norwegian733]

But that would take him 10 years, as this "project" took him 3 years....

[@tiderider]

I kayak surf. What you're describing sounds incredible and beyond what I could imagine.

[@stoneweasel]

Just check out what Dessie McGlinchey does on a regular basis ;)

[@laidbacklocalproductions6717]

Respect to you

[@jamesbadham228]

Jeez, that's insane. Kayaking Mullaghmore sounds like going over Niagra Falls on a 2x4. Yikes.

[@shr3ddd557]

This video was a dissapointment and god dam that guy holds himself on a throne

[@asushiiiPDX]

the Truck is an MXT International, and the location is Nelscott Reef in Lincoln City, OR

[@Rixoms]

Bloody egg beater :) guys have been dropping in on paddle skis for awhile. I remember big punch outs in the parking lot between the paddle skiers and surfers when I was a wee grom surfing in East London South Africa.

[@seanbaskett5506]

There is enough Seafoam at Lincoln City to clean the fuel system of every car and truck ever made since 1900

[@gounderusbyMichaelTomlins]

EPIC kayaking some gnar gnar! Wow, imagine accomplishing everything in your sport/job/life...incredible! Props to him for never being complacent!

[@koreanature]

Wow, That's a great video. I will always cheer for you in Korea I'm looking forward to a great video. Have a nice day.

[@RandomJackson7]

Don't set projects, they can end. Set ambitions, that'll only ever end when your compassion does.

[@kayakclimbsnowskate7742]

Keep it up, please don't retire, you know you cant give this sport up!

[@scottyemccomas]

@ToysCollective It the air bulbs on the end of bull kelp

[@Clan501-Scotland]

I know old guys with beer bellies who would have ridden that wave better first time.

[@jimyoung1133]

Hey, Nothing wrong with Old beer bellies ;)

[@Antipodean33]

You must've seen me kayak surfing

[@kayasper6081]

That's a nice retirement! I love to surf waves in my kayak too, but what you do is next level. Didn't you go for a swim not once? Impressive.

[@darcydejoux3614]

I thought it was cool I m into surfing but can appreciate what he did

[@dum309]

do not end I look up to you

[@LVC85costa]

just not amazed... its like a big budget experiment... no paddling, no carving, and he kinda just accepted that pounding. should have done a lot with that wave plus he got a tow in...

[@Romany1111]

Yup. Much ado about nothing.

[@SenateDebates]

You do it

[@Mega1trigger]

hey tao, you might even want to surf some small ones...just so you can learn how to surf.

[@pompom906]

I used to paddle white water 20 years ago, I paddled the first squirt boat in the UK, thanks Jason. But I always wondered why nobody used kayaks on the sea, the video shows why, they don't go fast enough. Maybe a longer boat would help?

[@PilgrimShred]

It's a damn good thing he decided to retire... only a matter of time til he destroyed himself for good. It's amazing what he's accomplished so far, and to still be in one piece, he gets my respect big time. Cheers to a great career Tao!

[@jmc1271]

ok...not sure how much of a Tao fan I am...regardless, I have 2 words: English Channel. The bloakes have been working the waves in their Makos since the 90's.

[@patrickwilliamson29]

"I'm retiring from paddling" Don't you do sports for the enjoyment not to say "I won"

[@allegedrain878]

5:19 anybody else see the ray in the wave

[@pantone95330]

Seems quite practical to perform the "turtle" duck dive

[@NICAEXPLORE]

Wow amazing

[@behrensf84]

Now you should do it with an 18 foot sea kayak...

[@getmeoutofsanfrancisco9917]

Jesus Christ this man is insane. Props.

[@FunnyMarxz]

Dont retire!

[@lachips5789]

mon c'est d’être comme vous des pros du kayak bravo

[@TheNich8888]

dont quit yet! theres so much more you can try on the big waves, like getting into the pipe, trying to launch out of it, doing all sorts of surfing tricks in a kayak, or transferring the kayak tricks into huge waves, not to mention kayak big waves all over the world. theres TONS of stuff you could still do, dont stop cause you cant think of anything new, the possibilites are endless!

[@GuyCruls]

such mini kayaks...what is the brand and model for an entry-level person on a budget? many thanks! also lookin' for a great forum...

[@conradserrano5948]

No footage from the helmet cam? Forgot to turn it on?

[@padlnjones]

what struck me was "I am in it for the challenge. no challenge, so i retire." what about the joy of surfing and paddling (I do both)....

[@DragoSolitario67]

Wow...Fantastico!

[@jeffnewton9396]

LEGEND 🫡

[@advancegraphics6400]

Very nice Cheers, 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@SuperMichael300]

Goodjob dude, your awesome!

[@Apolofvfvfvfvfv]

I'm not the only one that catch waves with kayak!

[@s.e.c.3222]

Nelscott Reef. The Mavericks of Oregon

[@365kayak]

One does not simply, "Retire from Paddling." Awesome skills bro!!!

[@TimonMaxey1]

This comment of his suggests he does it purely for affirmation rather than simply loving sport.

[@_multiverse_]

Man is this video ever 2012... that hat and jacket.

[@linebacker79]

It’s called wave ski surfing. They have been doing it in South Africa for almost a century

[@mellowmoods420]

Question.... how did that Contour camera do without the underwater housing???? I'm thinking of picking one up, but plan on buying the housing for it (for surfing). May change my mind on the housing...

[@199hamill]

@givealittletakealot tyler bradt has the current world record. tao set it a few times a few years ago.

[@prephasfallen5168]

How about you actually paddle out, then paddle a wave instead of getting towed outside and then towed into every wave.

[@BurtonSnowboard123]

contour on the helmet but gopro on the kayak?

[@falconmeeker]

Congrats Tao, I've been watching ya for years, way to go out well, and screw the haters.... Out with a good ride cowboy, good ride....

[@birdmanbl]

where is nelscot reef?

[@jacksonplymale3355]

Bro this is already an entire sport. It's called downwind surfski. Thousands of people have done this before you, and for many decades. It pisses me off that he thinks he's a professional.

[@davidlang9939]

NICE MOVE!!

[@birdmanbl]

Where is this clip shot? Thanks

[@jameymoore1995]

For all the people that said this looks easy. Get in a kayak and go down a class 3 river. You will fall out in the first rapid. I guarantee you. Now for Tao to go and do this is incredible. He is inventing new areas of the sport that I love. And Tao, no one retires from paddling. If you don't ever paddle again just because you can't find the next biggest thing to do, then I ashamed for looking up to you as much as I have. The river/ocean is a place to have fun and create memories with ur friends

[@RuediKlein]

ok, different question: what were those black things in the water? don't think they were swimmers, but they looked like he even hit some of them while kayaking

[@nurz33]

thats fantastic!

[@themrjones]

it's like you got a little speed boat. so sick.

[@nadamasdisponible]

he's not even paddling into them?

[@Sunelification]

What do you call his boat?

[@jkdsagkjgasd]

tao Berman is a god!!!! does anyone know the name of the song which start at 4:15....is such a nice song :)

[@ifell3]

Whats those little black blobs in the sea just before the wave?

[@chrisomahony851]

its a type of kelp called bull kelp

[@ohlolololololollol]

Monsters.

[@tanrio11]

OMG The gut crunch at 0:17

[@rolfhendel6047]

Blog Caiaque Aventura e Natureza.Irado,radical mesmo,muita adrenalina. It's power.

[@RUDYAKAHALIBU77]

Why to go Tao , setting the bar ! Great team work out there : )

[@SeanMorley100]

Tao, if you think those were the biggest waves surfed in a kayak you are deluding yourself and conning your sponsors and everyone else. You may be the first to get towed into a wave and congratulations for that but the biggest wave - no way. I know I have surfed bigger and so have others. Of course our challenge is to capture it on film like you did...

[@ExploringElements]

You do need "big balls"!!! Congrats on getting it done Tao. The ocean has been by new frontier as of late, but the rivers will always be home:) Your too young and on top of it to retire, keep up the good work!

[@fernandomachado3970]

crazy man!

[@dezionlion]

Now soo it on fire at Teahupoo!

[@intotheoutside1]

awesome!

[@guidingmike2823]

Why do I get the impression that Tao Berman smokes a lot of dope and got his way through life paid by his father?

[@wrybread]

Harsh! The guy is at the top of his sport, he deserves respect, in my opinion at least. But back on topic, I'm surprised to see him getting towed in. I'd have thought with all the extra push and speed of a kayak he could paddle into those waves.

[@jessicatritt3458]

Tao is the best at his sport

[@Hobojoemama]

@@wrybread From my experience, kayaks are much too buoyant and would just get taken out if attempted to paddle into those waves and even smaller waves. It's not like a surfboard where you can just dive into the wave when paddling out. Shorter kayaks like that, and kayaks of a similar size like whitewater kayaks, are not very fast at all (against a current). They're made to ride waves and currents, not against them. A sea kayak or surfski, on the other hand, are long and narrow. Those are built for speed and cut through water and waves much easier. I'm not trying to defend Tao cause he seems like a d-bag and there's so many more qualified people that could be filmed kayak surfing than him, but I'm seeing a lot of ignorance in the comments about him being towed and the capabilities of that type of kayak lol

[@wrybread]

@@Hobojoemama Agreed those aren't kayak friendly waves, but it's waaaay badass to seem him surfing him on those highly inappropriate craft. I like surfing the wrong craft in waves too, love to ride everything from surfski (S1-X) to my crappy old Necky Jive. But certainly not in waves like those. But I'd love to ride my Jimmy Lewis Bombora SUP in there, no jetski needed... But man, have to admire the beating he took at 3:50.

[@Hobojoemama]

​@@wrybread Hell yeah, most of my kayak surfing experience is in sea kayaks, which is loads of fun especially when you've got an old plastic boat you can beat up and not worry about. I mainly mess around in a Venture Capella 166, and a bit in a P&H Delphin though its my newest kayak If Tao has one thing going for him, he can definitely take a beating

[@ToysCollective]

2:23 whats all that in the water? seals?

[@dezionlion]

No do it on fire at Teahupoo!

[@benjermy]

What Kayak is it ??

[@Cri5pyDuck]

Don't retire your sick man!

[@edullanie2893]

GREAT

[@scottyemccomas]

Im always curious about stuff like this, why wouldn't he just learn to surf its more efficient and will have more area to progress ie airs, turns, etc?

[@tanman9954]

The frist part is so funny

[@jeffbrowne555]

2:23 what are tall the things in the water? seals?

[@jomanoluful]

Name ok song min 4,15 please

[@nomzu1]

kook

[@jean1846]

I understand where you come from however like Tao Berman i search for adrenaline rushes within paddlesports and well once you step it up a notch you get hooked to it and after a while anything below this level will not give you that same rush. Tao here has reached such a level there is nowhere for him to progress to unless if he literally would want to do something that can only be classed as suicidal which is why he has retired which is the sensible option.

[@scooterkid66]

he is retiring?

[@alexsurfingwaves]

Hey Tao! I have a challenge for you... why don't you try and cayac down a glacier!!! That would really be narlly!

[@BugTheRoot]

Aaaagh! How can you "retire" from kayaking? Man, come on Tao. Well, it has been an amazing ride. I have loved watching you for years.

[@wav3rider808]

Why wouldn't he try to paddle into big wave as the next step? Everyone in surfing knows the real talent of big wave surfing is not towing in it is paddling in!

[@michaelloon9142]

Why would you ever retire from paddling?

[@mozdickson]

Whole Lotta Hating Going On. TBH he didn't seem to even know if he was going left or right on the right, but in saying that --- bigger then I've ever surfed, so props to you mate.

[@77powder]

WOW ! CRAzy!!!!

[@barendvh100]

Not too impressed to be honest. There's a 70 year old lady who surfs bigger waves than this with a entry-level paddle ski at Santa Catalina reef in Panama. Look her up.

[@adamatch9624]

If you ain’t done it shut up

[@olibiermann]

Does anyone know the name of the song in the end?

[@SeaToSummit1969]

@ToysCollective Kelp most likely.