ADVERTISEMENT

Was A 100-Foot Wave Ridden Yesterday At Nazare?

As big and as clean as Nazare gets, and a guest appearance by Italo Ferreira
It is entirely possible that the biggest waves ever ridden went down at Nazare on Thursday. In one of those rare swell forecasts that really, really delivered, there is every chance that a 100-foot ride may have been ridden. 
 
“This is the swell I’ve been waiting my whole lifetime,” Nic Von Rupp told Tracks on Monday. After catching the biggest wave of his life today, he said it was worth the wait. 
 
The swell at Nazare kinked to the north-west late on Wednesday evening and the expected six metre plus, 22 second period arrived with a few hours of daylight. That evening Kai Lenny and Lucas Chianca scored the biggest bombs, before the fog came in. 
 
Thursday dawned even bigger, just with a light south-east offshore breeze and sunny skies. From the early morning waves it was immediately apparent that this could be an historic day. Regular Nazare watchers were calling it as big as they had seen it ridden. Towering peaks were breaking left and right, but such was the size even the best surfers couldn’t outgun them. 
 
Sebastian Steudtner, who yet again caught one of the biggest bombs of the day, was mowed down early in the morning. It took the skis a good two minutes to rescue him by which time he’d risen to the surface and was being belted by a series of foam walls as high as three houses. He made it to shore, had a 25-minute breather, and was straight back out there. Respect. 
Watch Lenny throw a chop-hop on a giant face and a massive board.
 
An hour later Kai Lenny went through the same process. Seemingly safe on a giant left, he was clipped on the end. Again he was dragged underwater for hundreds of yards before being pumped by a series of set waves once he reached the surface. The impact forced him from the water for a few hours. He returned for the afternoon session, where, with partner Lucas Chianca, he scored some of the bombs. 
 
In terms of the biggest wave of the day many thought it was between Sebastian Stuednter, Chumbo and Justine Dupont, who all rode massive lefts. Other notable mentions also went to Nic Von Rupp and his partner Pedo Scooby. 
 
Then as the swell dropped a little, Italo Ferreira made a last-minute guest appearance. The World Champion rode a few oversized teepees, further cementing his all-round, and legendary, status. 
 
“Man, it was everything we hoped, and so, so much more,” Nic Von Rupp told Tracks just after the session. “It was the biggest waves I’ve ever seen with just a handful of teams, who were all looking after each other. Who cares what size you wanna call it, the main thing is everyone made it in safe.” 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS
A bi-monthly eclectic tome of tangible surfing goodness that celebrates all things surfing, delivered to your door!
SUBSCRIBE NOW
HAPPENINGS
Your portal to cultural events happening in and around the surfing sphere.
Find Events
SUBSCRIBE TO TRACKS
A bi-monthly eclectic tome of tangible surfing goodness that celebrates all things surfing, delivered to your door!
SUBSCRIBE NOW
HAPPENINGS
Your portal to cultural events happening in and around the surfing sphere.
Find Events

LATEST

Ellie Harrison's dream CT debut just got a whole lot more dreamy.

Pairing Italy's famous delicacies with a healthy dose of barrels.

The formation of Goons of Doom, why you should get pissed at their gigs and what a band with Occy, Steph Gilmore, Yago Dora and Jacko Baker would sound like.

ADVERTISEMENT

PREMIUM FEATURES

Bestowing the highest praise upon a surfer.

An edited extract from ‘The Immortals of Australian Surfing’ by Phil Jarratt.

How a land-locked mainlander chased ocean dreams to the North Shore lineups and beyond.

TRACKS PREMIUM

Get full access to every feature from our print issues, read classic Tracks issues from the 70s, 80s and 90’s, watch all of our classic films & more …

TRACKS PREMIUM

Get full access to every feature from our print issues, read classic Tracks issues from the 70s, 80s and 90’s, watch all of our classic films & more …

CLASSIC ISSUES

A threat to Angourie, the death of vibes, and a tongue in cheek guide on how to become a surf star.

PREMIUM FILM

YEAR: 2008
STARRING: JOEL PARKINSON, MICK FANNING AND DEAN MORRISON

This is the last time the original cooly kids were captured together and features some of their best surfing.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

PRINT STORE

Unmistakable and iconic, the Tracks covers from the 70s & 80s are now ready for your walls.

Tracks
Kandui Resort Interstitial