Nazaré, Becoming the Big Wave Mecca
Cover image: FABIO VILHENA on Unsplash
In the last few years Nazaré, Portugal has become THE big wave surfing mecca. Today its thrilling rides are home to claims of "biggest waves ever ridden" and the big wave chargers like Kai Lenny and Justine Dupont pushing the boundaries of what is possible on XXL swells. A previously quiet little fishing town is now home to multiple big wave events every year and is predicted by many to be the place of the first 100ft wave ever ridden. Here is a brief history of how Nazaré came to claim big wave fame.
Surf Debut in the 1960s
In the 1960s, American surfers were the first, on record, to ride the waves on the main beach in Nazaré town, Praia do Sul. The three surfers, featured in a 1968 episode of a surf travelogue called Follow me, played around in three-foot surf on a seemingly sunny and pleasant day.
In the following decades Praia do Sul and Praia do Norte became a bodyboarding hot spot. In the early 2000s, multiple competitions were held and featured bodyboarders charging the big surf. However, it wasn't until the early 2010s that anyone attempted to surf Nazaré's larger swells.
Becoming a Big Wave
The recent reinvention of this small Portuguese fishing town into a big wave surfing mecca happened overnight. In the early 2010s local bodyboarders let Hawaiian big wave surfer, Garret McNamara, in on the secret of Nazaré's true big wave potential come winter. Mcnamara went out for himself and was truly awestruck by the monsters that rose out of the ocean beyond the Praia do Norte lighthouse.
In 2011, McNamara charged big Nazaré for the first time. He was filmed riding an XXL wave clocked in at 78ft and set a new Guinness Book World record for the biggest wave surfed. This feat turned McNamara and Nazaré into overnight media sensations.
Over the next few years, XXL swell chasers flocked to Nazaré. Year after year, claims of the biggest waves ridden ever were hosted by the monster break, as well as some of the world's most gnarly wipeouts. In 2013 Maya Gabeira nearly drowned after breaking her ankle and getting knocked unconscious in the ferocious shore break. Andrew Cotton broke his back in a horrific wipeout, and many more close calls have occurred, however, these big wave stars come back every year to chase the biggest waves in the world.
Nazaré’s Big Wave Fame
The first official big wave competition held at this break was the 2016 Nazare Challenge, and since then, it has been the star spot on the big wave tour. In 2017, Rodrigo Koxa officially broke McNamara's record for the biggest wave ever surfed after navigating down the face of an 80 ft wave. In 2020, Maya Gabeira broke her previous record and rode the biggest wave ever surfed by a female, which clocked in at 73.5 ft.
Today all the big-name big wave surfers come to Nazaré each year to try and claim the ride of the 100 ft. wave. Some of the most dedicated, well-known men and women are Justine Dupont, Maya Gabeira, Andrew Cotton, Carlos Burle, Kai Lenny, Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca, Michelle Des Bouillons, Antonio Sulva, Nico Von Rupp, and more. Each season at Nazaré they make history by pushing boundaries of what can be accomplished in big wave surfing. Check out replays of the latest Nazaré Tow Surf Competition here.
Did reading about the history of Nazaré 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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