big-wave surfing

15 Stories

On His Breaks, Lifeguard Wins Big-Wave Competition

Luke Shepardson takes title at Eddie Aikau Invitational, then returns to tower

(Newser) - Other people might call or text friends when they're on a work break, or grab a coffee, or find something to eat. Luke Shepardson managed to win the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational while on duty Sunday as a Honolulu lifeguard, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. His supervisor allowed...

Surfing Legend Dies Riding Giant Waves

'Mad Dog' surfer Marcio Freire died while practicing in Nazare, Portugal

(Newser) - Surfing legend Marcio Freire died Thursday in a place some call surfers' heaven: Nazare, Portugal, which is famous for its giant waves. The 47-year-old Brazilian died while practicing tow-in surfing, the local maritime authority said, per Reuters . He was one of three surfers in the documentary Mad Dogs , which looked...

This Is the Largest Wave Ever Surfed by a Human

It measured 86 feet in height, and Sebastian Steudtner rode it

(Newser) - The wave that surfer Sebastian Steudtner rode in October 2020 has been confirmed as the beast it appeared to be. Guinness World Records on Tuesday announced the 36-year-old German did indeed break the record for riding the largest wave when he rode an 86-footer off Portugal. The Washington Post reports...

'Anyone Who's Ever Broken Their Pelvis in Half Can Relate to This'

Billy Kemper talks about the wave that almost killed him

(Newser) - "Anyone who's ever broken their pelvis in half can relate to this," Billy Kemper says of the injury that almost ended his surfing career, and his life. The 30-year-old Hawaiian, widely considered one of the best big-wave surfers in the world, tells CNN that friends saved his...

This Year's Biggest Wave Was Surfed by a Woman

Maya Gabeira broke her own world record

(Newser) - On Feb. 11 this year, Maya Gabeira rode a monster wave all the way into the Guinness Book of World Records. Scientists determined that the wave the 33-year-old Brazilian rode off Nazare, Portugal, was 73.5 feet tall—a world record for a woman, and the biggest wave surfed by...

Surfer Breaks Record for Biggest-Ever Wave

Brazil's Rodrigo Koxa mastered 80-foot wave

(Newser) - A Brazilian surfer has claimed the "Biggest Wave" award—and a place in the record books—for mastering a monster wave big enough to wash away Godzilla. Officials at the World Surf League determined that Rodrigo Koxa set a new record last November for the biggest wave ever surfed...

Women Make History in Big-Wave Surfing Contest

Turquoise ceiling shattered in Hawaii

(Newser) - Charging into violent waves at a Maui surf break known as "Jaws," a group of women made history Friday as they competed for the first time in the World Surf League's big-wave surfing competition. The female competitors paddled into mountains of turquoise water towering more than 30...

Dramatic Rescue After Pro-Surfer Goes Under at Deadly Spot

Body-boarder Andre Botha pulled unconscious man to surface

(Newser) - Florida pro surfer Evan Geiselman, 22, was riding a 20-foot wave at Hawaii's Pipeline—one of the world's deadliest surfing spots—on Sunday when he disappeared as the lip curled over him. The Pipeline off Oahu's North Shore delivers breakers that can force a surfer underwater until...

This Could Be Biggest Wave Ever Surfed

Surfer follows up rescue with possible new record

(Newser) - The huge storm that lashed much of Europe yesterday created some huge waves, including a monster that might earn surfer Carlos Burle a place in the record books. The Brazilian rode a behemoth of a wave at Nazare, on Portugal's central coast, that appears to be even bigger than...

100-Foot Wave? Maybe, for US Surfer

Garrett McNamara rides to a possible world-record in Portugal

(Newser) - The surfing world is buzzing today on reports that Hawaiian Garrett McNamara got the holy grail of the sport—a 100-foot wave. Surfer Today has an image of McNamara riding the behemoth in Nazare, Portugal. Surf experts say it looks like a 100-footer, but it will be a while before...

Surfers, Spectators Flock to Alaska for Big Tide

Bore tide expected to be biggest of the year

(Newser) - Mother Nature put on a show near Anchorage, and it had nothing to do with Venus and the sun. The largest bore tide of the summer arrived in Turnagain Arm last night, drawing hundreds of people to highway pullouts south of Anchorage. It also drew a few surfers and kayakers...

Gerard Butler Survives Accident in Surf 'Boneyard'

Actor saved from Mavericks waves while filming

(Newser) - A safety worker on a jetski saved actor Gerard Butler from dying at a northern California surf spot that has claimed the lives of pros. Butler, 42, was filming a scene at Mavericks for upcoming movie Of Men and Mavericks when a freak set of waves, some higher than 12...

Legendary Big-Wave Surfer Drowns in California

Sion Milosky went under at famed surf break Mavericks

(Newser) - The man credited in surfing lore with paddling into the biggest wave of all time (a 60-footer in Hawaii) has been killed in a surfing accident near San Francisco, reports the San Jose Mercury News . Sion Milosky, a 35-year-old Hawaii native, was surfing 20-foot waves at the renowned Mavericks surf...

Rogue Waves Rough Up Surfing Spectators

At least 15 people hurt while being swept onto beach

(Newser) - Enormous rogue waves swept over a northern California beach today and injured at least 15 people watching a surfing contest. A handful of spectators were taken to the hospital, some with broken bones. They were watching the renowned Mavericks Surf Contest, held only when the world's top surfers think waves...

Californian Wins Hawaii's Big-Wave Blowout

Waves hit 40 feet in first 'Eddie' held since 2004

(Newser) - A Californian won Hawaii’s most prestigious big-wave surfing event today, getting a perfect score in the final heat of the competition, which mandates waves of at least 20 feet and was held for the first time since 2004. Greg Long, 26, beat out superstar Kelly Slater, who held the...

15 Stories