The Gigantic 90-foot Wave in Portugal

I guess that by now many of you have heard about the largest wave ever surfed here in Portugal. On 17 October, Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara made history by breaking the world record when he successfully surfed on a gigantic 90-foot wave (27 meters) at Praia do Norte, off the coast of Nazaré, in central Portugal - near where I live.

Theses incredible waves reach such an abnormal height because the coast of Nazaré is home to a special geomorphological feature known as the “Nazaré Canyon“. This unusual formation is a gap on the continental plate of about 170km in length and 5km deep, located right in front of Praia do Norte, which when receives large swells creates abnormally-sized waves... The previous biggest wave record, 77 feet, was set by another surfing legend – Mike Parsons in 2008.

This is the first time that a wave from Portugal has been entered into the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards (2012) competition. "I feel so blessed and honored to have been invited to explore this canyon and its special town" said Gareth in an interview. (see video of Garrett surfing wave).