The World Surf League even estimated the waves could have reached 60 feet.
The gigantic swell was triggered by a massive north-west swell that had closed out Waimea and turned Jaws into a monster.
Some of the most daring big-wave heavies took on the swell, including Nathan Florence, Kai Lenny, Makuakai Rothman, Brad Domke, Justine Dupont, Albee Layer, Ian Walsh, Shaun Walsh and, incredibly, a 12-year-old by the name of Steve Roberson.
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d) Tank the penguin from
Surf’s Up.
3. Azores based Nazaré charger Hugo Vau has taken a lower key approach to garage/HQ/base camp at the port, opting for an old shipping container and a rickety yellow camper van.
What classic surf vehicle serves as both Hugo’s accomo and kitchen?
a) Ford Transit
b) VW Transporter
c) one of those Lada truck thingies usualy found in carparks in the Algarve with the chimney pot, proprietor with one long dread and undone clompy leather boots, full quiver of juggling accoutrements.
d) Mercedes Vito
4. Maya Gabeira has paid her dues at Praia da Norte. In September 2020, she beat her own Guinness World Record for the biggest wave surfed by a woman (albeit in controversial circumstances). Earlier in the year,
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There are obvious reasons why not wearing a leash in the lineup can be hazardous. If you’re not an absolute expert, lose track of your 50-pound, water-logged board and it can easily go smashing into the teeth of some hapless young grom sitting on the inside with no idea why they’re now on the way to the dentist. But on the other side, not wearing a leash can make one be less likely to go for it, to unleash the beast (pardon the pun), to absolutely tear into a wave without worry of what happens to one’s board. To Albee Layer, there’s no point in not going full throttle. This is “Random Thoughts With Albee Layer,” presented by our friends at Infinity Surfboards. Albee has thoughts. And they’re worth a listen.
The East Coast Is Set to Pump, the WSL Gets Rolling, and Was This the Best Maverick s Ever?
Ten Things from Surfing & the Internet on the Week That Was December 11 2020
Photo: Billy Watts
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1. Maverick’s Was Perhaps the Best It’s Ever Been
Here’s one way to know that Maverick’s is kind of a big deal: it’s one of the only surf spots to have a big Hollywood movie made about it. I mean, have you seen Gerard Butler on the big screen surf South Curl Curl? (No, you haven’t.) Have you heard of a movie called