Griffin Colapinto is having an amazing surfing season so far. The 25-year-old surfing sensation is leaving spectators in awe with his incredible performances on the World Surf League’s Championship Tour. After securing a momentous win at the Surf Ranch Pro in May, he soared to the top of the world rankings and is now set to represent the U.S. at the 2024 Olympics.

He became the first surfer and the second athlete overall to achieve this prestigious feat. Now as Colapinto prepares to chase the coveted World Title, he reminisces about a thrilling moment with a Hollywood A-lister that helped him qualify for the Olympics.

Which Hollywood celeb hyped up the surfing sensation?

Hollywood star Matthew McConaughey is known for his iconic dialogues. Be it his timeless “alright, alright, alright” or his chest-thumping chant from a scene with Leonardo Di Caprio in ‘The Wolf of The Wall Street’. Now it seems his words of wisdom have traveled to the giant barrels of Hawaii as well.

Recently, Griffin Colapinto revealed that McConaughey played a role in inspiring the talented surfer during one of the WSL stops in Hawaii. The actor, who was present at the event with his family, took out time to offer his words of encouragement before the heats. Despite not being extremely close with the acclaimed actor, Colapinto had the opportunity to share some valuable surf tips with McConaughey’s 15-year-old son, Levi. The young surfer has been passionately pursuing the sport and has shown a genuine interest in honing his skills.

The Olympic-bound surfer also highlighted that Levi visits San Clemente, where Colapinto hails from, to surf the local waves. Speaking about the actor’s son to People magazine, Colapinto said, “He’s been super psyched on surfing, so I’ve been helping him with some surfing tips.” Colapinto also notes that he’s not the only surfer attracting Hollywood’s attention.

The allure of riding the waves seems to have drawn in other big names like Chris Hemsworth and Jonah Hill. Colapinto believes that, for these celebrities, surfing serves as an escape from the hustle and bustle of fame, allowing them to embrace the peace and serenity of the ocean. Surfing may be a leisurely pastime for Hollywood actors, but for Griffin Colapinto, it’s his exhilarating job. However, behind the fun lies also lies a world of high risks and danger, and Colapinto is about to face those challenges next year at the Olympics.

Teahupo’o’s Olympic challenge awaits Colapinto

Teahupo’o is a surfer’s paradise. Its monstrous swells attract surfers from all over the world. But it comes with a price. Colapinto, who has regularly surfed at Teahupo’o, points out that waves here are adorned with coral heads that resemble razor-sharp knives. He explained that, in order to conquer Teahupo’o, wave selection becomes critical for a surfer. The Olympic-bound surfer also highlights that one needs to have a deep understanding of the waves in order to master Teahupo’o.

Read more: Watch: Sibling of Renowned American Surfing Star Stuns Crowd With Incredible Move at Home Event

Through his impressive run this year and with McConaughey’s encouragement, Colapinto is on track to have a big year. He’s already qualified for the 2024 U.S. Olympic team, and he’s one of the favorites to win the World Title. Additionally, with the growing interest in surfing among celebrities, the sport’s prominence as a unifier and an inspiration is on the rise.

Watch this story: The US Open of Surfing Takes a Violent Turn as the Video of Clash at Huntington Beach Goes Viral