The beast has awoken. Just in time for the holidays, Portugal’s premier big wave spot, Nazaré, rose from its wintery slumber and produced some of the best conditions ever surfed. It wasn’t the biggest it has ever been, but at a mid-range size, it allowed for the world’s best big wave hellmen to push their sport to new heights.
From Nic Lamb’s 2016 Ride of the Year entry to Garret Macnamara letting go of the rope and s-turning on a tiny board, the level of progression was maxing out. And be sure to check out Tom Lowe’s magnificent wipeout around the 1:40 mark. Scary, scary stuff. He’s been having quite the season out in Portugal, if you remember, he’s the guy that nearly got taken out by a jetski.
