Local surfer Laird Hamilton speaks to a group of people gathered in front of Pepperdine University’s Payson Library last Thursday. Laird was promoting his new book, “Forces of Nature,” which details the mental, physical and spiritual regimens he takes on to train for competitions and to surf in general. Laird will appear at Diesel, A Bookstore on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. to speak and sign his book.