“It’s the most challenging, dangerous wave I’ve ever surfed – it’s the only place in the world in which a giant canyon reaches all the way to the beach.” – Garrett McNamara
The Guinness Book of World Records has confirmed that 44-year-old Hawaiian Garrett McNamara has secured the world’s largest wave ever ridden. That wave is measured to be 78 feet tall and was located in Nazaré, Portugal.
Garrett’s wipeout is the last one show in this video at 2:20.
The old record was set by Santa Cruz, CA boy Mike Parson’s who surfed a 76 foot monster at Cortes Bank (100 miles off shore of San Diego) in 2008.
Is Garrett nuts? Of course he is. He’s also known for being the first to surf the tidal waves created by calving glaciers.
Both Garrett and Mike’s record waves were caught using a jetski and a rope to tow them into the waves.
The record for the largest wave ever paddled into is held by Shane Dorian. The wave was 57 feet and it was surfed at Jaws in Maui last year.
“It is an honour to bring this title to our waters.. For the strength, bravery and the constant will to improve. Nazaré is a bit like your second home and our population admires you.” – Mayor of Nazaré, Portugal (where the world record wave was surfed by Garrett)
Garrett McNamara Recognition:
2012
Guinness World Record Largest Wave Ever Surfed @ 78 Feet
Billabong XXL Awards – Biggest Wave Award
Billabong XXL Awards – Wipeout of the Year Award
Billabong XXL Awards – Ride of the Year Nominee
2010
Exploration of the North Canyon
2009
Billabong XXL Awards – Monster Tube Nominee
Billabong XXL Awards – Ride of the Year Nominee
2008
2nd Place Puerto Escondido, Mexico SUP Contest
Billabong XXL Awards – Performance of the Year Award
Billabong XXL Awards – Golden Donut Nominee
2nd Place Free Wave Challenge Tube of the Year
2007
Billabong XXL Awards – Performance of the Year
Billabong XXL Awards – Biggest Wave Award
2006
1st Place Nell Scott Tow Surfing Championships
Billabong XXL Awards – Golden Donut Award
2005
1st Place North Shore Tow Surfing Championships
2004
Surfer Poll – Best Tube Award
2003
1st Place Jaws World Cup Expression Session
2002
1st Place Jaws World Cup Tow in Surfing
This is what Garrett sounds like in person.
