Tamayo Perry was born and raised in the rough town of Hauula, which is near the North Shore, but actually considered the east side of Oahu. For a long time now, Tamayo has had just one goal---which is to get a Pipemasters crown on his head. This king has proven he's worthy by being a heavy standout at the Banzai. He got close to his goal in 1999 by winning the Pipemasters trials against the likes of such talent as Bruce Irons and all of the other Pipe royalty. Tamayo has put together an incredible eighteen board quiver (from Jeff Bushman) especially designed for Pipeline. It is probably the best war chest for one of the world heaviest waves. It get's more refined and better tuned each year for paddling into some of the meanest and perfect waves on the planet.

2005 was an extremely heavy year for Tamayo. An early season swell rolled in October that was 12-15' feet. Pipe was in it's most glorious and terrifying fashion and Tamayo was like a Gladiator ready for battle. He locked into some of the biggest barrels to date and but his session was cut short when a panicked rookie let go of his board during a succession of 15' footers that landed on Tamayo and fellow Pipe surfers. The board caught Tamayo on the head and it nearly cost him his life. A combination of fifty stiches and staples were needed to close the enormous wound that scalped him.

But that accident hasn't held Tamayo back one bit. Three weeks later he surfed the Pipe Trials with a helmut and he commenced putting on awesome display charging Pipe with calculated abandon and continuing his stature as one of the greats that surfs the notorious wave. In the 2006 Pipe Masters he had a solid showing making it through the trials and into the main event placing 17th.

Tamayo is activaly searching out heavy barrels like Teachupoo, Western OZ, and is looking forward to some travel time when Pipe falls asleep for the Summer. But until then Pipe is still calling his name.