surfer garrett macnamara
We had no idea Portugal's coast got such big waves, but would you beleive it, it does. 90 foot ones, waves bigger than your house, your neighbour's bigger house, and things that are 89 feet -- that big. It's all thanks to the massive underwater gorge called "Nazaré Canyon" that creates unusual giant waves.



Hawaii-born Garrett McNamara describes himself as a "Extreme Waterman Explorer & Big Wave Champion" on his website, but by us, he's the luckiest surfer alive, happening upon the record-breaking wave whilst out tow-in surfing with Andrew Cotton and Al Mennie during the surfing gathering known as the "ON North Canyon Project 2011".



"I feel so blessed and honoured to have been invited to explore this canyon and its special town. The waves here are such a mystery", Garrett said afterwards. Um, okay Garrett, right you are. Still, nice job!








And for another angle, here's a Portguese news report on the big wave...