Is Garrett McNamara’s wave really a world record?

Was Garrett’s Nazaré monster wave really 90ft?

April 18th, 2012

Big wave surfing is one thing that can only be done, and only wants to be done by thrill seekers, but not just any thrill seekers.  Garrett McNamara is said to be “One of the most extreme high sensation seekers on the planet.” He proves this when he sits out in freezing water to wait for a “Kids Glacier” to cave in hope for him and his friend to surf a tsunami size wave. He is also known for taking on some of the biggest barrels and escaping from wipeouts that most people would die from. But this article is not just about Garret McNamara and his life in thrill seeking, but is about him possibly surfing the biggest wave recorded in history. On the Portuguese coast called Nazaré is where McNamara tackled a wave that most people could not even believe could be so big. The possible 90-foot wave was built off a three-mile deep slice in the sea floor off the coast that can produce waves that can be compared to Jaws and Mavericks. Once he was on this 90-foot monster, he ran down the line for 20 seconds while avoiding the falls and a massive wipeout. The wave didn’t get much attention until Kelly Slater (11 time World Champion) made a tweet about it telling him to post it ASAP. Then there was a lot going around in the media about this wave, as there was no official measurement of the wave, it was forwarded to XXL judges to be considered the “Biggest Wave” and “Ride of the Year.” The current world record for largest wave is still held by Mike Parsons who surfed a 77-foot wave, however, Kelly Slater and Greg Noll (both highly respected surfers) still believe it to be a big wave, and one of the biggest waves documented. This might be the biggest wave ever surfed but everyone has to leave it up to the XXL panel to decide. 

Greg Noll’s said “You ride big waves for the love, and the joy, and the adrenaline rush, and that’s what Garrett, hell, what all these guys have in common. How they express themselves may come out a little differently, but they’re all part of the same family.” Personally big wave surfing looks awesome, it is one of the craziest things human do till this day, however it is something that most people should leave up to the extreme thrill seekers. I have seen the wave surfed by both Garret McNamara and Mike Parsons has surfed, and I still believe Mike Parsons wave is bigger. It could be the cameral angle and all that stuff, but the time it takes for Mike Parsons to surf his wave takes a lot longer. But who am I to judge though? I would never in my dreams attempt anything close to this size, I surf the small waves I do for the love and the joy of it.

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http://www.surfing-news.com/is-garrett-mcnamaras-wave-really-a-world-record/