10 Biggest Waves Ever Surfed
Cover image: Karim Sakhibgareev on Unsplash
When we say biggest, we mean the largest, heaviest, most gnarly waves surfed by people crazier than the break themselves. Mother nature’s incredible ability to produce these monsters is something out of a fairy tale or Harry Potter. Here are 10 of the biggest waves ever surfed.
Nazaré (Praia do Norte) - Portugal
Nazaré is world-renowned for its incredible size and power, attracting only the bravest big wave surfers. It holds the world records for largest waves ever surfed by a man (80 ft wave ridden by Rodrigo Koxa), woman, (73.5 ft wave ridden by Maya Gabeira), and is home to the annual big wave surfing event Nazaré Challenge.
Jaws (Pe ’ahi) - Maui, Hawaii
Located off the North Shore of Maui, Jaws earns its name from its massive barreling waves that swallow even the most experienced surfers whole. In the winter months, there is sizable swell, and, though rare, it has seen waves up to 70 ft in its crystal blue waters. It is a regular for big wave events of all kinds. Check out some highlights from the last Jaws Big Wave Championships to see this break in the action.
Teahupo’o - Tahiti
This wave looks like something straight out of the classic surf film, Surf’s Up. Teahupo’o is known as one of the heaviest waves in the world. First arriving on the big wave scene in the late 1990s, its scenic barrels, sometimes reaching 30 ft, crash down onto a shallow reef. Though the risk is high, the reward for getting tubed in one of these gorgeous monsters is stoke that lasts a lifetime. Check out French Polynesian surfer, Matahi Drollet, conquer what could be the biggest wave ridden at Teahupo’o.
Mavericks - Half Moon Bay, California
The jewel of California big wave surfing is located 20 miles south of San Francisco. Mavericks, internationally one of the best-known XXL breaks, is named after a German Shepard who followed the first surfers of this break, Alex Matienzo, Jim Thompson, and Dick Notmeyere, into the water. This wave is cold, big, heavy, and frequented by sharks. Many movies, including one of our favorite, is Chasing Mavericks, feature this legendary break.
Cortes Bank - San Diego, California
One of the most allusive big waves, Cortes Bank, is located 100 miles west of San Diego in the open ocean. An underwater seamount surrounded by deep channels creates this Ghost Wave with the potential to be one of the largest waves in the world. Cortes Bank came into the spotlight in 2001 when California big wave surfers Peter Mel, Ken Collins, Brad Gerlach, Mike Parsons set out on their mission named “a shot to the moon” to conquer this massive mystery break. During his first surf, Mike Parsons rode a 66 ft wave. This ride claimed the first of two World Records at this location for the largest wave surfed.
Todos Santos, Killers - Baja California, Mexico
Before Mavericks, Killers was the first legitimate west coast big wave spot. Situated on Isla Todos Santos, 11 miles off mainland Mexico, this break has seen waves in the 50 – 60 ft range. Though overshadowed by more popular XXL waves, Killers remains an important ride for any big wave surfer to conquer.
Mullaghmore Head - Ireland
This Irish break is a mix of all the craziest big waves in the world. It’s heavy like Teahupo’o, has bumps and steps like Shipstern’s Bluff, and is located in freezing water like Mavericks. This North West facing break takes on big swells with faces sometimes reaching 60 ft. It is unpredictable, dangerous and only the bravest big wave surfers take it on.
Shipstern Bluff – Tasmania, Australia
Shipstern Bluff is one of the gnarlier big waves out there. Not only can this wave see faces 30 ft tall, but the weight in volume of water in each wave is equivalent to about 50 semi-trucks. Furthermore, this break is known for its unpredictable inner “step” formation. This step pops up in a different spot each ride making each wave difficult and dangerous. Check out this video to see how crazy this break truly is.
Belharra - La Côte Basque, France
Located off the French Basque Coast where France meets Spain, Belharra is a rare yet massive site. It is super sensitive and needs the perfect combo of conditions to break. When the stars align, huge clean faces, sometimes up to 60 ft, become a playground for big wave foilers, tow-in surfers, and prone paddling surfers.
Dungeons - Cape Town, South Africa
Dungeons earns its name from its cold, rough, and super sharky location. Located a few miles from Cape Town on Cape Peninsula, this break is big and unforgiving. It came to the spotlight in the late 1990’s as one of the biggest waves in Africa.
Did reading about the biggest waves ever surfed inspire you to hit the waves? Remember to check out the Jamie O’Brien Surf App here for anytime, anywhere surf coaching.
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