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Meet the following 5 Big Wave Surfing World Champions and find out more about their incredible feats. When you take the time to reflect on the fact that more humans have walked on the moon (12) than have surfed waves 100 feet or larger (4) you can begin to comprehend the enormity of such human achievement border lining on miraculous.
Garrett McNamara
Garrett McNamara was recognized by Guinness Records for riding a 78-foot (23.77-meter) wave at Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal, on November 1, 2011
Though his ride was never officially verified by credible big wave surfers. Non the less his ride was touted by Guinness World Records as the largest wave ever surfed at the time. McNamara stars in the HBO hit series 100 Foot Wave and is considered one of the top Big Wave Surfing World Champions
McNamara claimed to have surfed an even bigger wave at Nazaré, estimated at around 100 feet (30 meters), but this later wave has not been officially verified by eyewitnesses or any credible big wave surfers except Garrett MacNamara himself. Ironically, McNamara rarely ever surfs with out a camera crew on hand. It’s very hard to believe he would have missed this opportunity.
Sebastian Steudtner
The World Surf League and Guinness World Records assert the current world record for the biggest wave ever surfed is 26.21 meters (86 feet), set by Sebastian Steudtner at Praia do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal, on October 29, 2020. However, Steudtner’s wave was never officially confirmed by experts within the big wave surfing community.
On the day Sebastian Steudtner set the Guinness World Record for surfing the biggest wave-October 29, 2020, at Praia do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal-nearby buoy readings reported the following pertinent information, the swell peaked at approximately 16.5 feet at 18 seconds from the northwest. No Big Wave Surfing World Champions recognize the WSL or Guinness Records as valid record keepers when it comes to surfing
Sebastian Steudtner claims to have surfed a wave measuring 28.57 meters (93.73 feet) at Nazaré, Portugal, on February 24, 2024. This would surpass his previous “record” ride of 26.21 meters (86.4 feet) set at Nazaré in 2020. No serious big wave surfing expert recognizes Steudtner’s claims nor the WSL and Guinness Records credibility when it comes to accurately understand and interpret wave height.
Ken Bradshaw
Ken Bradshaw claims to have surfed an 85-foot wave at Outside Log Cabins on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, on January 28, 1998, a day known as “Biggest Wednesday.” This wave is widely regarded as the largest he has ever ridden and was considered one of the biggest waves ever surfed at the time. The wave’s size has been described as having an 85-foot face.
Though it was never officially verified by the WSL or Guinness Records I can personally verify Ken’s claim as I was out there surfing on what Ken calls “the biggest day ever ridden” and in addition, I gave him the wave, captured by photographer Hank Photo which turned out to be the crowning glory of his surfing career.
Accounts from witnesses and media sometimes range between 70 and 90 feet. Despite the lack of formal verification, Bradshaw and many in the surfing community continue to reference the 85-foot figure for this historic ride.
Laird Hamilton
Laird Hamilton claims to have surfed a 100-foot wave, though this ride was undocumented and there is no photographic or official verification. If official verification means the WSL and Guinness Records word or Lairds word I have to believe Laird’s. Laird has experience, expertise, authority and trustworthiness.
Hamilton has stated he knows what it’s like to ride a real 100-foot wave, describing it as an experience that happened without cameras or media present. The 100-foot claim remains verified by Laird Hamilton himself. When it comes to Big Wave Surfing World Champions many consider Laird Hamilton at the top.
Laird Hamilton “ I know what it’s like to ride a real 100 foot wave” has publicly claimed to have ridden waves in the 80- to 100-foot range. In interviews and documentaries, he has described his biggest wave as “somewhere between 80 to 100 feet,” specifically referencing tow-surfing sessions in the late 1990s at Maui’s outer reefs, including a spot called “the Pyramids” near Jaws.
He has repeated this claim in several media appearances including Joe Rogan’s popular pod cast. Because there is no photographic evidence to verify that Hamilton surfed a true 100-foot wave, and he himself has acknowledged that some of these sessions were not filmed, it only adds to his mythic and legendary status.
The Willis Brothers Milton and Michael
Thousands of eyewitnesses, including media and many expert expert big wave surfers claim to have witnessed the Willis Brothers Milton and Michael ride waves breaking well over 100 feet during the historic “Biggest Wednesday” swell on January 28, 1998, on Oahu’s North Shore, making them the all time Big Wave Surfing World Champions .
According to their own accounts and other eyewitness accounts from notable big wave surfers such as Nathen Fletcher and Robbie Page the brothers ventured out to Outer Log Cabins (70 to 90 feet) and then eventually further out to Outer Sunset Beach at what’s known as “the Devil’s Garden” (100 foot plus) on a day when most considered the conditions literally impossible to surf. They proved 100 foot waves can be surfed.
Expert Big Wave Surfers and Respected Surf Historians assert the Willis Brothers Milton and Michael are the very first surfers to break the mystical 100 foot wave barrier, and they rightfully hold the official records for surfing the two biggest waves in history,” referencing this event and waves at Outer Sunset Beach estimated by everyone present to reach over 100 feet plus.
The 100-foot plus figure is based on trustworthy expert eyewitness accounts and backed up by photographic evidence, accurate buoy reports and other strict scientific evidence. The Willis Brothers are widely recognized in the surfing world for surfing the biggest waves in history.
One can learn a great deal from these 5 elite Big Wave Surfing World Champions, especially reflecting that they were once just fledgling beginners. It takes Lion hearted courage and commitment to go for a dream.
Certainly there were many highlights and wipeouts along the way, but each of these surfers were determined and kept going through it all. Keep going on with your dreams and just like the Willis Brothers … don’t let anyone tell you something is impossible.
Question,; When it comes to judging wave, heights who has more experience , expertise, authority and trustworthiness expert, big wave, surfers, or corporations?
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Happy Surfing ! Much Love All !
