Robbie Maddison Pipe Dream

Despite the presence of a full camera crew, and a rescue team in position along the menacing saltwater terrain of Teahupo’o, the man known as “Maddo” was just a tad nervous.

I’d become quite terrified, trembling in my boots, but I made my bed and it was time to lie in it.

So what drove Maddison to tempt fate and push the limits of technology? It all started during a wakeboarding: While riding on the water, Maddison realized that with the right mechanics, he could combine his love for moto and surf. His epiphany led to the development of a dozen different versions of custom skis that attached to his dirt bike, with “fins” beneath to act as rudders for maneuverability and control. A paddle tire on the rear wheel would propel the bike forward on the water, but also handle well on land. After two years of trial and error, Maddison approached DC Shoes with his idea of surfing on a motorcycle. Months later, all efforts paid off, as Maddo took to the ocean on his KTM 250 SX, making surfing on his motorbike a reality.