Mark Healey Surfs Possibly the Biggest Paddle-In Wave Ever at Puerto Escondido

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Puerto Escondido is flooded. The XXL surf is taking the streets of Mexico for one hell of a ride. Naturally, madman Mark Healey is a culprit, caught red-handed on the biggest bomb of the morning.

The photo is mind-boggling. It’s a wave so big it challenges what is possible by paddle power alone. Just a day after the Big Wave Awards, Healey found himself right smack in the middle of one of the biggest days Puerto Escondido has seen in decades. And of course, Healey found himself right smack in the middle of one of the biggest waves of the day.

“Today was honestly twice as big as the biggest I’ve ever seen it here,” he told Stab, who has his phone number. “The energy and the water moving was just… so beyond anything I’ve ever seen here. Everything else pales in comparison.”

According to local big wave surfer Coco Nogales, it was the heaviest surf Mexico has seen in twenty years. And both eyewitnesses and big wave surfing aficionados are tossing around the phrase “biggest paddle-in wave ever” – and almost certainly at Puerto Escondido.

We will trust the locals on this one. Mainland Mex saw the heaviest surf in decades this weekend, and it’s not over yet. Here are a few accounts of what will go down as an epic day in the history books:

“It was really scary out there this morning. Glad everyone is OK. Managed to be in the right place for a solid one on my @meeksboards @wrv1967 9’8”.” – Mark Healey

Not much to say the picture says it all but from my point of view to me this is the biggest #paddle in wave ever riding in puerto… Yea @donkeyshow today was the craziest ocean I have ever seen at list in 20 years respect every one who was out there, very glad that I got to make it out and rescue @othochouf thank god we made it. #puertoescondido #zicatela #mexicanpipeline #respect #mexico #swell #surfing by @clarinhahartmann

A photo posted by Coco Nogales (@coconogales) on May 3, 2015 at 4:05pm PDT

“Today was the craziest ocean I have ever seen in at least twenty years. Respect to everyone who was out there, very glad that I got to make it out and recue @othochouf. Thank God we made it.” – Coco Nogales

And a horror story by Othane Choufani, the survivor:

Puerto Escondido is a beast of wave. After I wiped out I pulled my vest and couldn’t deflate it before the second one it explose and all the water came in I did like 10 or more full swim and I wasn’t lucky @coconogales was here during This whole night mare and pick me Up before the ocean got me. I really focused and what I learned with @d_man333 last September in a pool and it helps me a lot ! By the way one of my favourite Big wave surfer @donkeyshow got a monster congrats ! Everybody came out safe and this is the most important thing I guess , right ? Can’t wait to see what tomorrow is going to bring. @jers_say @nicvaughan1 @trevorsvencarlson @tomloweyo @natxogonzalez1 @bastienbonnarme @yassineouhilal crédit : Daniel Nava

A photo posted by Othmane Choufani (@othochouf) on May 3, 2015 at 6:05pm PDT

The most humbling ass beating session of my life today. Paddled out from the Zicatela harbor early, waited for 3 hours and committed to 1 wave. I got hung up and blown out the back almost getting sucked over then the offshore winds flew my board in the air landing just missing my head. Already a little freaked out from that I turned around to see a set wave break 100 yards outside of me. I had a moment to relax and breath up for the heaviest beating of my life. My leash broke immediately on the first of 10 waves I took on the head. I hit the bottom twice but never get a chance to push off. I was only wearing my impact vest since Mexico Airport took all of my Co2 cartridges for my inflatable vest. Eventually I got blasted all the way to the beach, I could barley walk and all I wanted to do was lay in the sand but there was a 100 people on the beach watching so I mustered up the energy to grab my board and walk away. I’m still shaking from the experience. .. #PuertoEscondido #Mexico @sparrowsurfboards @banzaisushibar @novatraction @poidogdist

A video posted by Trevor Sven Carlson (@trevorsvencarlson) on May 3, 2015 at 11:07am PDT

May 3rd, 2015. An epic day indeed. Possibly another record-breaking paddle-in wave pushes the envelope, but Puerto isn’t all massive waves (well, right now it is) and fun. The huge swell is causing a lot of carnage. The military is out in full force making sure that looters are kept in check, it’s a holiday weekend (and God knows Mexico loves a good party), the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight just blew up the world, and to top it all off, it’s a full moon. So basically, it’s a maelstrom of chaos. Healey didn’t make it out of his wave, but when it’s this big, this heavy, and this oh-so-terrifying, the world is watching.

We’ll be sure to keep you posted as more imagery and video surfaces. In the meantime, get some waves and be safe!

O. M. G.