Laird Hamilton -- SHOOTS THE PIER ... Insane Surf Video

When he wasn't saving lives yesterday, surf god Laird Hamilton pulled an INSANE move off the beaches of Malibu -- SHOOTING THE PIER -- and TMZ Sports has the footage.

It's pretty crazy video ... you can see Laird paddling up to the pier on his board and then carefully positioning himself to ride through the wood beams ... without smashing into 'em.

Warning -- DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME ... it's super dangerous and most people are not Laird Hamilton.