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He kept saying to himself "the hardest day paddling out is still better than the best day at work!"

67 duck dives until He made it to the line up. Never went back to rest those arms for a moment. Legend. That's determination and a good state of mind and health. All my respect to this warrior.

This is how my parents used to get to school.

This is a man on a whole new level he deserves so much respect

This be me, when it's 4 - 6 at my local beachy.

By 11am I would have just said to myself “well you got a good 20 minutes worth of exercise” and caught the whitewater back to shore.

His shoulders must be burning up!! What a savage! And then still catch a wave, must have felt like the biggest accomplishment, hats off to him!

There's a reason why no one else was out that day. He just showed us all why.

This guy is like the David Goggins of paddle outs.

Relentless Mother Nature..I’ve done this in the past so many times on even smaller days..an absolute beating . One wave session

This reminded me of a time I paddled out at "Garbage" in San Diego, during winter of 2016. That was the year huge storms were battering central and northern CA, and sending huge swells to southern CA. It was about a double overhead day, and I spent a long time trying to paddle out, when I received a two-wave hold down. I was barely able to hold my breath through the second hold-down, and when I came up, gave my last to paddle through the next wave to make it out. As a 59-yr-old at the time, I don't think I would have survived a third hold-down! I stayed out about two hours. I never caught a wave. I paddled in. Ocean 1, me 0.

45 min of wrestling waves, what a training. That's a strong man, mentally and physically.

Ocean Beach is the only place I ever didn't make it to the outside. It happened once, and I'll never forget it. The dude in this vid is a savage.

He probably saw the dude with the camera and was like “Ah dang..... this will end up on KZfaq. Now I HAVE to get a wave!”

Legendary!! Quicksilver should do a Hardest Paddle of the Winter award. Like the commenter below said, that place is more about the paddle than the ride. Heavy!!

Almost an hour paddle out in a 4/3 while getting mowed down by bombs... brutal!!!

By my count that was 73 frigid ice cream headache duck dives before shoulder hopping a mush burger. Having spent a lot of time there I can tell you this is not uncommon. Respect to this surfer!

I use to live at 48th and Pacheco and remember 45min paddle outs were the norm on big winter days. Learned to gauge the surf just by looking at the conditions to determine risk vs reward. Lot of good surfers at Ocean beach, had some of the most epic waves of my life there...

what a freaking alpha legend.... also props to the person who filmed it. rare you get to see a proper paddle out on a pumping day!!

Never minded catching waves alone but it’s so much easier and enjoyable paddling out with your bros. The competitive nature of it just pushes you to make it out . Paddling out solo and in those conditions is a whole different mindset. My arms and shoulders ached just watching this absolute unit. Even felt my calf cramping up a few times. 😂

Courage & tenacity on a day when there's no one in the bleachers. Anyone who's been at this game long enough understands what this individual is going through. Kudos to him for his never say die attitude.

“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!”

I’m there Friday. I didn’t think anyone would paddle out today! Guy has some serious balls!

This reminds me of a scene described in barbarian days by william finnegan. He is living in SF at that time and Mark Renneker, a friend of his, is paddling out at an especially stormy day, also on Ocean Beach i think it was. This really visualizes the struggle of paddling out on those huge days even more and just further made me respect all of the people daring to paddle out on such days

Give that man a medal!

The most amazing exhibit of strength, endurance and persistence I have ever seen.

60 Minutes needs to find this guy and make a documentary about him. This is the unsung American hero.

He should get an Olympic gold medal for something...swimming, wrestling, marathon...something.

That’s the reality of OB paddle outs. Sometimes you make it and sometimes you don’t! Respect ✊🏽

Twice I've paddled for 20 mins (not here and not that big) got out the back and got caught inside by a bomb set snapped my board and leg rope and had to swim in without getting a single wave. I was worried this vid would be the same. So stoked he got one!

Surfer: Damn..everybody is on the beach watching...I gotta make it out

This guy must have the Avenger Ironman Arc Reactor in his chest. Huge resilience points!

Paddled out there many times, but never in waves like that. I wouldn't have even tried in those conditions. That was amazing. High speed really gave it the impact it needed.

Being an OB surfer made me realize two things. 1) OB makes you a powerful paddler, and 2) I don't even want to make to it the lineup on days like this. Nicely done lone surfer.

One time in about 1991 I paddled for two hours non-stop to get out.. When I finally got out I was 3 miles north up the beach... A coast guard zodiac came along and asked me if I okay, they had two surfers on board that had gotten sucked around the cliff house north.. I gave them the thumbs up and yelled "no thanks!" OB is Pay to Play!

My stomach hurts after watching that. I've been to that beach on a huge day and wondered how the surfers got out. Brute force and perseverance.

thanks for posting this! I get rattled getting caught inside for 10-15 min at Ocean Beach. Which happens probably every surf regardless of the size... I need to remember this for inspiration.

pretty standard paddle for a big day at OB. OB is more a "how was the paddle" than "how were the waves" place.

When i feel ready for the nursing home…when i have difficulty getting up and standing..in other words,on days like today…what a joy it is to watch thisliving testimony to the human will to “seek to strive and not to yield” . Dammit..i admire him , what a hero!!

Props to him. Damn he was persistent and had no fear. I was exhausted just watching this.

Allegory of a life well-lived, represented here in three minutes, forty seven seconds

I don’t know why, but even days that seem pretty mellow can be absolutely punishing for me at OB. Huge props and respect to this guy. Thanks for sharing this video.

Incredible desire! Soul Surfers rule in my book. Not about being seen but living in your passions. 😎

Hardest paddle I ever had was OB, also the closest I have come to drowning. Sucks to think you’re finally out and the small pack that’s out all lay down and start paddling outside because something is coming, a washing machine freight train that hits like a Mike Tyson sized whale. Feeling like an ant is humbling.

OB is where some finally learn no means no! This guy is a beast!

Until you've surfed at OB you have no idea how impressive this is.

Rumors are saying that he’s still paddling and he’s going for the 2,554 duckdive 🥶🥶🥶

Legend has it he is still paddling out.

haha... oh man, this was my home break for 2 years. seriously the paddle out is death. still surfed almost daily and often alone in the rain and wind. the place was perfect training for my next home break that followed... north shore oahu.

AND Big, BIG props to the camera man - NorCal Surfer - for hanging in all morning to bring all of us this act of heroism. Passing through S.F. I happened to hook up a sweet B and B - 2048 Sloat Boulevard and by some cosmic coincidence was reading William Finnegan's brilliant book "Barbarian Days - A Surfing Life". William splendidly describes his considerable battles there. Got to spend a few hours watching the monster surf. So glad I live on Maui. Don't think I could have ever have measured up to that maelstrom.

This man deserves a jetski for this accomplishment 👏

Huge props to the commitment and tenacity. OB was no joke on Thanksgiving. Duly impressed that he never gave up, made it out, and caught a wave. Much respect!

My arms began to hurt watching this. If you surf you know those days. Props. Hope he eventually caught a great wave.

That guy is more tenacious than my dog. Must be a badass person.

The true spirit of a surfer is unbreakable!

We've all been there, arms burning, puffing like a steam train, and seeing yet another set coming at you. This guy's a legend, digging in like a man, and getting through it all. Huey was smiling down on you, mate, and he'll grant you many primo waves for your dedication.

Somebody is going to need a serious shoulder/back massage when he gets home

I felt that way at latigo canyon one day in 10- 15 foot surf. Paddled out for a half hour. Got rejected. Paddled out again for 1/2 hour. Made it out. Pretty sure I was going to die that day.

I’m watching this in my truck on the beach right now after I just got owned by Mother Nature on a 6 foot clean day with a break 1/2 the distance, I’m not feelin great haha. This man is an animal nothing but respect for everyone able to get out on those big days and nothing but respect for the ocean.

People that sit in the gym on a bike that goes nowhere be like I feel you bro hahaha

I'll remember seeing this the next time I'm cursing at the waves on Lake MI on my paddle out

I would have raised the White flag and performed the "Walk of Shame" after about 15 minutes of that thrashing.

ONLY a surfer knows that feeling 🌐🌈 Respect to his tenacity 🤟💎

Well I imagine paddling out by yourself on a day like this at Ocean Beach would be difficult with giant steel balls, Lol! I used to sit here for hours and just chill. Great memories. Awesome video.

This was how I felt paddling out at chest high OB...

One thing I've learned in all of my years of surfing - if there are zero people out, there's a very good reason why.

I almost drowned just watching this from my couch! Absolute Animal!

The sped up sounds of the waves were very easily the most relaxing thing I’ve ever heard

dude got his workout in for the day

As soon as he got out the back, the swell dropped 😂

Brings back many chilling memories! Soooo many 30-45 minute paddle outs in brain numbing water with plenty of rips. Then the reward of maybe 10 seconds riding that freight train. Don’t miss it one bit! Love these videos though! San Francisco’s Ocean Beach will test the faithful!

Living in Washington state now, it's a 3-4 hour drive to the closest spot so you tend to paddle out no matter what . Just need that one. Was the only guy out once on this heinous blown out day but I had to try . First attempt I got denied 100%. Waited for tide to change a bit and went again. After what felt like an hour I finally got outside where I planned to rest but , no. Outside I could see what was clearly a clean up set coming through and I was too gassed to get over so I took the first wave that came. However, my arms weren't having any of it . Went to pop up and they said "No thank you Sir." and came off the board entirely . I face planted then spent the next few minutes getting my laundry done. Ended up hanging onto my leash like I was getting drug by a horse until I got inside. As I called it a day the Tom Waits song "The Ocean Doesn't Want Me Today" came to mind.

Holy shiii. This is some next level commitment and courage mad respect. And especially being there all by himself like damn

i shldve just watched this instead of wasting 3 hrs watching tom hanks in castaway. lmao

This is gives me courage for when it is way smaller than that out there and I am struggling. Thats dedication!

I counted over 65 waves on his head in the footage you showed, and some of them were huge. That was an unbelievable demonstration of persistence. I have tried that before and I was done after about 20 waves on the head

Looks like drowning water....That lad should be the solo man he's a beast

The speed up really shows how epic of a battle that was.

This guy is a real deal soul surfer, not many of em around. Hella people drown at Ocean beach and this guys goin straight into many peoples nightmare. Big props to this man for sure!!! 👊👊🤙🤙🤙

Brutal. 49-degree water. 3mm of wetsuit on your shoulders. Almost total closeout and a vicious rip current. I love it.

Anonymous hero. Sometimes getting out there's the hardest part.

Who the hell is this guy?! That's some determination beyond comprehension!

Been there done that...no thanks! Mad props to these hellmen. I was the sole surfer to paddle out on arguably the biggest Mav's ever and still haven't gotten out at OB on a huge day. One time I paddled out and couldn't get any further so I turned around. I couldn't even go in at that point because of the current. I finally just sat and waited for the tide/current to shift and was finally able to go in after about 45 minutes. I gave up going out in more than overhead conditions there even though I still surf massive waves.

Man I’m beat just watching this guy. Hats off to him !

I didn't make it past 1st bar on a double overhead day. Got washed down the beach and had to do the walk of shame back to the car.

Yeah I remember my dad actually dropping us off a mile above where the actual takeoff spot was in Ventura. And it took about 45 minutes to get out there. My arms were pretty dead but I caught some of the best waves of my life like this.

Big respect. Dude took a serious beating and just kept going. I know I wouldn't make it 🙌

you never wanna conduct any type of négociation with that guy

He finally drifted into the rip.

That was epic. 45 min of brutal paddling.

not to give anyone a lecture, but that's why pro surfers will often sit and watch the surf for 45 minutes before paddling out.. timing the sets, studying the rips, etc.. so they know what's the paddle out window period and where's the rip is sucking out best.

Feel like i can never have excuse again when waves are 5-8 ft and i'm struggling to get out ha

The most honest OB video on the internet

Been there .... crying after half an hour screaming at the gods to give you a break in the sets. Worst is you often are so tired once out there you end up taking off one something, mess up and end up right back in the white water.

Great post! Of all the select footage we see of the perfect waves, rides etc. to recognize the amount of dedication, perseverance and mental fortitude required to "play" in the ocean is the part of the sport seldom described. No slight to all the electo gadgets that we invent to get more waves or survive in huge surf the paddles have a unique character associated with the doers.

Ugh this gives me anxiety. That man is a champion

The worst part is if you take a long enough break, you will get sent back straight to where you started. Someone needs to interview that man for us and tell us how he did it.

My shoulders were burning watching this

Legend says he's still out there...