Footage of Brazilian surfer, Rodrigo Koxa, breaking the world record for the biggest wave ever to have been surfed has hit the web.
The dramatic video shows the extreme sports star surfing a colossal 80-foot wave at Nazare beach, Praia do Norte in Portugal, back in November last year.
The World Surf League confirmed the achievement at its Big Wave Awards in Santa Monica, California, earlier this year, and the Guinness Book of Records has noted the accomplishment.
Speaking after the event Koxa said it was the best day of his life, adding it was a dream come true the Independent reports.
In a statement, the World Surf League congratulated Koxa on his win, saying:
The award goes to the surfer who, by any means available, catches the biggest wave of the year.
Not only did Koxa win this year’s honour, but he now holds the Guinness World Record for the biggest wave surfed.
Koxa broke American surfer, Garrett McNamara’s previous record of surfing a 78-foot wave which has stood since 2011 before being eclipsed.
Big wave surfing is a popular but dangerous subculture within surfing circles where experienced surfers paddle onto waves which are at least 20-feet high on specially designed surfboards.
As fun as riding a literal mountain of water is, the sport is ludicrously dangerous. Wiping out on a wave so big can and does push surfers up to 50-feet under the water.
One big wave surfer who had a terrible experience was British Surfer, Andrew Cotton, who broke his back while surfing on the same day Koxa broke the world record.
Video of Cotton’s wipeout shows him jumping off his board as the wave starts to break but he’s crushed by the whitewater which crashes down on top of him.
Cotton was rushed to a hospital where doctors informed him of the extent of his injuries.
Remarkably, despite breaking his back and suffering ‘the worst wipeout impact wise of his life’ Andrew was eager to get surfing again.
He wrote on Instagram:
What can I say, I got a little excited this morning and ending up having possibly the worst wipeout impact wise of my life.
Thank you to all the lifeguards and crew on the beach who helped stabilise me and do a great spinal recovery, I can’t name everyone but you all did your bit to get me safely to the hospital.
I have broken my back but I’ve been really lucky, I’m already looking forward and focusing my energy to get fit and back out there on some more big rollers!
Cotton was awarded the Wipeout of the Year award by The World Surf League so at least he got something out of his accident.
The waves at Praia do Norte, where Cotton and Koxa were surfing, are infamous for being among the largest in the world. This is because it’s one of the most westerly points in all of Europe, meaning the wind generates huge waves.
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