Surfing the ‘Holy Grail’ of waves

Dec 12, 2014

Surfing the ‘Holy Grail’ of waves

Matt Bracken 0 Comment The Baltimore Sun, World

Big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara scoured the world for the biggest waves to surf. He calls Portugal’s Nazare coast the “Holy Grail of huge waves.”

: People gather to watch a tow-in surfing session at Praia do Norte, in Nazare December 11, 2014. Praia do Norte beach has gained popularity with big wave surfers since Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara broke a world record for the largest wave surfed here in 2011. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: Big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara drops in on a large wave at Praia do Norte, in Nazare January 31, 2013. McNamara of Haleiwa, Hawaii, won the Biggest Wave title at the 2012 Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards with his world record 78-foot (24-metre) wave ridden at Praia do Norte on November 1, 2011. McNamara leaves Nazare tomorrow, after trying to beat the record during the last four days. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: Big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara carries his surf board after a surf session at Praia do Norte in Nazare January 29, 2013. McNamara of Haleiwa, Hawaii, who won the Biggest Wave title at the 2012 Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards with his world record 78-foot (24-metre) wave ridden at Praia do Norte on November 1, 2011. McNamara has returned to Nazare because he wants to try to beat the record again, and the forecast for the next days are of big waves. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: Big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara (front) looks at the sea with his colleague Kealii Mamala before a surf session at Praia do Norte in Nazare January 29, 2013. McNamara of Haleiwa, Hawaii, who won the Biggest Wave title at the 2012 Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards with his world record 78-foot (24-metre) wave ridden at Praia do Norte on November 1, 2011. McNamara has returned to Nazare because he wants to try to beat the record again, and the forecast for the next days are of big waves. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: Big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara drops in on a large wave at Praia do Norte in Nazare January 29, 2013. McNamara of Haleiwa, Hawaii, who won the Biggest Wave title at the 2012 Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards with his world record 78-foot (24-metre) wave ridden at Praia do Norte on November 1, 2011. McNamara has returned to Nazare because he wants to try to beat the record again, and the forecast for the next days are of big waves. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: People take pictures of large waves at Nazare beach, December 25, 2013. (REUTERS/Hugo Correia)

: Big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara of the U.S. drops in on a large wave at Praia do Norte, in Nazare November 1, 2013. McNamara, who lives in Haleiwa, Hawaii, won the Biggest Wave title at the 2012 Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards with his world record 78-foot (24-metre) wave ridden at Praia do Norte, Nazare, Portugal on November 1, 2011. McNamara has returned to Nazare because he wants to try to beat the record again. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: Big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara of the U.S. drops in on a large wave at Praia do Norte, in Nazare November 1, 2013. McNamara, who lives in Haleiwa, Hawaii, won the Biggest Wave title at the 2012 Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards with his world record 78-foot (24-metre) wave ridden at Praia do Norte, Nazare, Portugal on November 1, 2011. McNamara has returned to Nazare because he wants to try to beat the record again. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: Big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara of the U.S. drops in on a large wave at Praia do Norte, in Nazare November 1, 2013. McNamara, who lives in Haleiwa, Hawaii, won the Biggest Wave title at the 2012 Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards with his world record 78-foot (24-metre) wave ridden at Praia do Norte, Nazare, Portugal on November 1, 2011. McNamara has returned to Nazare because he wants to try to beat the record again. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: A surf board is seen on the air after a surfer failed to ride on a large wave at Praia do Norte, in Nazare December 11, 2014. Praia do Norte beach has gained popularity with big wave surfers since Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara broke a world record for the largest wave surfed here in 2011. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: Big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara enters the water during a surf session at Praia do Norte, in Nazare January 31, 2013. McNamara of Haleiwa, Hawaii, won the Biggest Wave title at the 2012 Billabong XXL Big Wave Awards with his world record 78-foot (24-metre) wave ridden at Praia do Norte on November 1, 2011. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: People gather to watch a tow-in surfing session at Praia do Norte, in Nazare December 11, 2014. Praia do Norte beach has gained popularity with big wave surfers since Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara broke a world record for the largest wave surfed here in 2011. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: A surfer drops in on a large wave at Praia do Norte, in Nazare December 11, 2014. Praia do Norte beach has gained popularity with big wave surfers since Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara broke a world record for the largest wave surfed here in 2011. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: A surfer drops in on a large wave at Praia do Norte, in Nazare December 11, 2014. Praia do Norte beach has gained popularity with big wave surfers since Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara broke a world record for the largest wave surfed here in 2011. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: A surfer drops in on a large wave at Praia do Norte, in Nazare December 11, 2014. Praia do Norte beach has gained popularity with big wave surfers since Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara broke a world record for the largest wave surfed here in 2011. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: A surfer drops in on a large wave at Praia do Norte, in Nazare December 11, 2014. Praia do Norte beach has gained popularity with big wave surfers since Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara broke a world record for the largest wave surfed here in 2011 .(REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: Big-wave surfer Cliff Skudin of US drops in on a large wave at Praia do Norte, in Nazare November 29, 2014. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: Big-wave surfer Sebastian Steudtner of Germany drops in on a large wave at Praia do Norte, in Nazare November 29, 2014. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: Big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara rests during a surf session at Praia do Norte, in Nazare January 31, 2013. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

: Surf supporters attend a surf session of big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara at Praia do Norte in Nazare January 31, 2013. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante)

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