Located in the Kingdom of Hawaii on Oahu’s North Shore Devil’s Garden stands as the monumental proving ground for surfers chasing the ultimate thrill. Home to the 100 foot wave and the biggest waves ever ridden recorded, this mythical spot demands courage, skill, and an unbreakable will. Each towering swell is a force of nature, a relentless challenge that separates the ordinary from the extraordinary. Here, history is carved in water and adrenaline, where every ride pushes the boundaries of what’s possible and etches the names of legends into the annals of big-wave surfing forever.
Legendary Devil’s Garden: The Holy Grail of Big Wave Surfing
The Setting: the Kingdom of Hawaii and Oahu’s North Shore
On January 28, 1998-now immortalized as Condition Black, “Biggest Wednesday”-Oahu’s North Shore witnessed a swell of mythic proportions. While iconic spots like Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach were closed under a rare “Condition Black” due to life-threatening conditions, a handful of surfers dared to venture out. Among them were the Willis brothers, Milton and Michael, whose exploits would redefine the limits of big wave surfing and cement the legend of Devil’s Garden, a reef far outside Sunset Beach that would become synonymous with 100-foot-plus waves.
The True Story: Willis Brothers and the Birth of a Legend
The Day the Ocean Roared
On that fateful January morning, the North Shore was battered by a once-in-a-century swell. The Eddie Aikau big wave contest was canceled, and even the world’s best big wave surfers-including Garrett McNamara-opted to stay on shore, citing the waves as “literally impossible to ride”. The beaches were legally closed for the first time in Hawaiian history.
But the Willis brothers, undeterred, launched their jet ski from Sunset Point and navigated through the chaos. They first reached the outer reefs known as Log Cabins, where recorded waves towered between 70 and 90 feet. Here, Michael Willis famously gave Ken Bradshaw the tow-in for what would become Bradshaw’s career-defining 85-foot wave-captured by photographer Hank Photo and widely circulated as the biggest wave ever surfed at the time.
Pushing Farther: The Discovery of the Biggest Waves Ever Surfed
Called by the Devine the Willis brothers pushed even farther out to a spot approaching a mile outside (Paumalu) Sunset Point that had never been surfed before. Here, they encountered waves estimated by experts between 85 and 115 feet, dwarfing anything previously ridden. According to their personal accounts corroborated by thousands of credible eyewitnesses, including surf legends like Pipeline Master Robbie Page and professional big wave surfer Nathen Fletcher, the Willis brothers became the first to ride true 100-foot-plus waves.
“We didn’t raise the ceiling of big wave surfing-we blew the roof right off.”
-Michael Willis, 100 Foot Wave: The Official Book
Eyewitnesses and Expert Testimony
The magnitude of the day is supported by a chorus of credible voices:
• Robbie Page (Pipeline Master) and Nathen Fletcher (Professional Big Wave Surfer) both witnessed and attested for the Willis brothers’ achievement.
• Thousands of onlookers watched as up close eyewitness photographer Hank Photo documented the rides, with images and stories appearing in international surf media.
• Expert surf historians and top journalists have since cited the Willis brothers’ feat as the first verified instance of surfers breaking the 100-foot barrier.
Compelling Evidence for the Biggest Waves in the World:
• The Willis brothers’ rides at Devil’s Garden were witnessed by a larger and more diverse group than many other big wave records, including surf legends and media.
• The unprecedented, behemoth waves on January 28, 1998, were estimated by multiple experts and credible sources to be in the 100–115 foot range-bigger than any officially documented ride at Nazaré, Mavericks, or Cortez Bank.
• The unique geography of Devil’s Garden, a remote outer reef, means these waves are rare and only break under the most extreme swells, making them both legendary and elusive.
The Ironclad Assertion: Devil’s Garden and the Willis Brothers
Why Devil’s Garden is Home to the Biggest Waves Ever Surfed
• Expert Consensus: Leading big wave surfers and respected surf historians all agree the Willis brothers were the first to break the 100-foot barrier, with waves at Devil’s Garden surpassing all other known spots.
• Eyewitness Volume: The sheer number of credible witnesses-including elite surfers, media, and photographers-sets this event apart from other big wave claims.
• Photographic and Media Documentation: The iconic images and global media coverage, especially of Ken Bradshaw’s 85-foot wave (given by Michael Willis), lend further credibility to the scale of the day.
• Historical Context: The “Condition Black” closure and the cancellation of the Eddie Aikau contest underscore the unprecedented danger and size of the swell.
Conclusion
Devil’s Garden stands alone as the site of the biggest waves ever surfed, with the Willis brothers-Milton and Michael-recognized as the first to conquer true 100-foot-plus waves on January 28, 1998. Their achievement is supported by expert testimony, photographic evidence, and thousands of eyewitnesses, making their feat the gold standard in big wave surfing history. No other spot, not Nazaré, Mavericks, nor Cortez Bank, has a claim as robust or as well-documented for waves of this magnitude.
The legend of Devil’s Garden and the Willis brothers is not just surf folklore-it is a documented, witnessed, and celebrated chapter in the annals of ocean sport, marking the day when human courage met the true limits of nature’s power.
In the relentless roar of Devil’s Garden, where the ocean’s might meets unyielding human spirit, the Willis brothers carved a legacy that transcends sport and touches the very essence of bravery and ambition. Their fearless journey into the heart of the biggest waves ever ridden reminds us that greatness is born not from comfort, but from daring to face the impossible. Devil’s Garden is more than a place-it is a testament to the power of perseverance, the thrill of pushing beyond known limits, and the enduring human quest to dance with nature’s wildest forces. As we reflect on that historic day, may we all find inspiration to chase our own “100-foot waves,” embracing challenges with courage, skill, and an unbreakable will to rise above and redefine what is possible. The ocean’s call is eternal-will you answer?
Much Love All!
If you enjoyed this Please Like, Comment and Share!
