Question: What iconic 2002 moment helped launch modern stand-up paddleboarding into mainstream attention?
Answer: In 2002, big-wave surfer Laird Hamilton stood tall on a paddleboard off the coast of Malibu, riding waves while carrying a massive American flag. The striking image went viral in surf circles and beyond, helping ignite global interest in stand-up paddleboarding as a sport and lifestyle. See the photo here.
