Garrett McNamara makes history again by breaking the current record of the biggest wave ever surfed. The wave came during the two month period of the ZON North Canyon Show 2011, with a height of around 90 feet.
He was towing with Andrew Cotton, from the UK, and Al Mennie, from Ireland, when the bomb came in. Al was in the channel and describes the moment. “Everything seemed to be perfect, the weather, the waves. Both Cotty and I rode two big ones in the 60ft + range and then when Garrett got on the rope a wave, maybe 30 feet bigger came out of the canyon, it was meant to be. I had the best seat in the house as I was doing water safety on the ski as he dropped down the face of the biggest wave I’ve ever seen. It was incredible. Most people would look scared but Garrett looked in control as he went down the most critical part of the wave. It was an inspirational ride by an inspirational surfer. After the ride it was as if the sea calmed down. We sat out there and just absorbed both what had just happened and the surroundings. What a day!”
The three were surfing in Praia do Norte off the coast of Nazaré, Portugal. McNamara has been spending quite some time here once he discovered the magic of the spot. The coast of Nazaré is home to one of the only deep water canyons that runs all the way to shore. He has been working with the Portuguese Hydrographic Institute to understand how the waves reach such an abnormal height.
According to the Portuguese Hydrographic Institute, “the proximity of the ‘Nazaré Canyon’ to Praia do Norte creates a situation that greatly increases the swells intensity. The conditions of the swell and wind direction observed on this day exemplify this phenomenon”. “By 9:00 AM, the monitor on the buoys registered a swell with around 8 m near Nazaré. With a WNW swell direction with favorable wind, it is reasonable to conclude that this wave had a significant swelling effect, which is characteristic of this place.”
“I feel so blessed and honored to have been invited to explore this canyon and its special town. The waves here are such a mystery”, said Garrett.
ZON North Canyon Show 2011
Garrett McNamara is back in Portugal to embark on another mission exploring the waves of Nazaré, in the ZON North Canyon Show 2011. This is the second mission of a three years project, initiated last year. This is a Nazaré City Hall project, sponsored by ZON, to internationally promote the region as a destination for surfing, show casing the unique aspects of the “Nazaré Canyon”.
The “Nazaré Canyon” is a rare geographical phenomenon, the biggest in Europe and one of the largest in the world, which can be explained as a gap on the continental plate with 170 kilometers of length and 5 kilometers of depth. The “Nazaré Canyon”, that is located right in front of Praia do Norte, receives the swells from the Atlantic Ocean and creates waves with abnormal size, compared to the rest of the Portuguese coast.
23 Comments
[…] Al Mennie was in the channel when it happened (via Driftsurfing.eu): […]
[…] via Drift Surfing […]
On the portuguese news
http://sicnoticias.sapo.pt/desporto/article974819.ece
[…] Drift Surfing - According to the Portuguese Hydrographic Institute, “the proximity of the ‘Nazaré Canyon’ to Praia do Norte creates a situation that greatly increases the swells intensity. The “Nazaré Canyon” is a rare geographical phenomenon, the biggest in Europe and one of the largest in the world, which can be explained as a gap on the continental plate with 170 kilometers of length and 5 kilometers of depth. The “Nazaré Canyon”, that is located right in front of Praia do Norte, receives the swells from the Atlantic Ocean and creates waves with abnormal size, compared to the rest of the Portuguese coast. […]
[…] largest wave ever surfed. McNamara successfully surfed on a monstrous 90-foot wave (27 meters) in Praia do Norte off the coast of Nazaré, Portugal. The previous biggest wave record, 77 feet, was set by another surfing legend - Mike Parsons […]
Great job … just wanted to complement you thats all.. I live in malibu and care for the hardest rider… I really don”t get why I have to give my info just to say I am so proud of you… peace out
ohh just on a note if your in caly I know the best surf shop if you need a board , I’m sure you may not anyway just in case… And I am not doing this for business or promotion I a am just a single mom that loves the surf…
… I am sure you get it all… may the tides be kind to you and be safe.. Monica Christine
[…] seem to have no stinking tape measures…. Nazares, Portugal. The shore end of a marine canyon. Garrett McNamara. Biggest? Don’t know. Awesome? […]
[…] Mehr auch hier: Garrett McNamara breaks world record | Drift Surfing […]
[…] reportedly “the biggest wave ever ridden” at allegedly 90 feet, according to a story on Drift Surfing. The three were surfing in Praia do Norte off the coast of Nazaré, Portugal. McNamara has been […]
You’re awesome. Inspiring us all to push the limits of this world and our lives. Thank you
[…] McNamara was towed in to the wave during the ZON North Canyon Project, a big wave competition to promote the region off the coast of Nazare, Portugal. The spot is “home to one of the only deep water canyons that runs all the way to shore,” which is related to the abnormally large waves, according to Drift magazine. […]
[…] This town in Portugal has deep underwater canyons that crank wave heights up much higher than would normally be expected. According to the Portuguese Hydrographic Institute, “the proximity of the ‘Nazaré Canyon’ to Praia do Norte creates a situation that greatly increases the swells intensity. The conditions of the swell and wind direction observed on this day exemplify this phenomenon”. “By 9:00 AM, the monitor on the buoys registered a swell with around 8 m near Nazaré. With a WNW swell direction with favorable wind, it is reasonable to conclude that this wave had a significant swelling effect, which is characteristic of this place.” - dirtsurfing.eu […]
[…] to this November 8, 2011 report, Garrett McNamara broke the record for the biggest wave ever surfed. McNamara surfed the 90-foot […]
[…] = drift surf and deadspin) Tags: garrett mcnamara, mike parsons, surfing, what the hell […]
[…] = drift surf and deadspin) Tags: garrett mcnamara, mike parsons, surfing, what the hell […]
[…] to the Portuguese Hydrographic Institute, as reported in Drift Magazine, “the proximity of the ‘Nazare Canyon’ to Praia do Norte creates a situation that […]
OMG! That wave is HUGE!
[…] alla Praia do Norte di Nazaré, in Portogallo, una zona famosa nel mondo per le onde giganti. Qui maggiori dettagli sull’impresa, qui un articolo sulle onde più alte mai registrate e sui […]
[…] to the Portuguese Hydrographic Institute, as reported in Drift Magazine, “the proximity of the ‘Nazare Canyon’ to Praia do Norte creates a situation that […]
[…] acuerdo con el Instituto Portugués Hidrográfica, reportado a su vez en la revista Drift Magazine, “la proximidad con la barranca de Nazare a Praia do Norte” crea una situación que […]
Garrett McNamara & Nazaré, Portugal & 90'.
Portugal , who knew?