Eli Olson has never been one to play it safe. Whether it’s charging 20-foot waves at Pipeline or taking hard hits on a Hollywood film set, the North Shore of Oahu native has built a career on dancing with danger — and walking away smiling.
This week, Olson released a new edit that blends both halves of his life: surfing and stunt work. The video, which quickly went viral on Instagram, shows Olson taking brutal wipeouts at Pipeline — and somehow making it look cinematic. It’s raw, real, and perfectly fitting for a man who literally earns a living taking hits.
The Stuntman Surfer
Olson isn’t just another name in Hawaii’s crowded surf lineup. He’s part of the elite North Shore crew that includes Nathan Florence and Koa Rothman — surfers who rule the world’s most famous wave with fearless precision. But what sets Eli apart is what he does outside the surf.
A black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a trained MMA fighter, Olson also works as a professional stuntman in major film productions. Most recently, he served as a stunt double in the Apple TV+ series Chief of War starring Jason Momoa. His ability to handle pain and perform under pressure makes him a natural for both Hollywood and Pipeline — where courage is currency.
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The Video: Pain as Performance
The new edit uses dialogue from The Fall Guy (2024), Ryan Gosling’s tribute to Hollywood stunt performers. In one of the film’s standout lines, Gosling’s character narrates:
> “They’re in almost every movie — you just don’t know they’re there. Because that’s the job. They get paid to do the cool stuff. They also get paid to take it on the chin. And everywhere else, if you know what I mean.”
For Olson, that line hits home. During the 2024–25 North Shore season, he dislocated his shoulder and rolled his ankle — yet many of the clips in this video show him surfing through those injuries. The caption for the edit reads:
> “During one of the best winter seasons at Pipe, Eli dislocated his shoulder and rolled his ankle. In many of the clips featured, he’s surfing hurt. But he can’t help but fall for Pipe.”
It’s a perfect metaphor — a man who literally takes beatings for his passions, both in the surf and on set.
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A Tribute to Resilience
Olson’s edit doesn’t just glorify wipeouts; it honors the art of getting back up. As one of Hollywood’s favorite quotes goes — from Batman Begins — “Why do we fall, sir? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.”
Eli has built his life around that lesson. Whether being slammed by a reef or thrown across a movie set, he rises, smiles, and paddles back out. His Pipeline reel isn’t about perfection — it’s about persistence, grit, and love for the craft.
And in that sense, it’s more than just a surf video — it’s a salute to every performer, athlete, and dreamer who keeps charging despite the pain.