We took a spur-of-the–moment day trip this week. We rented a car and drove a little over two hours south to the coastal town of Nazaré (Nazareth in English.) The town is world famous among professional surfers as the mecca for the world’s largest waves ever surfed. Competitions are held there each year and you can find skilled surfers there year-round. The huge waves result when conditions are optimal for their formation. The unique factor is the underwater canyon off this coast. The enormous Nazaré North Canyon is 227 kilometers (141 miles) long and 5000 meters (over 3 miles) deep with steep walls. It can amplify large waves by a factor of three when winds and currents are ideal. The biggest waves typically happen between November and March. Last year a British surfer was filmed surfing a wave believed to be the new record at just over 100′ high. Then, just last month, a female surfer claims to have broken that record (yet to be confirmed.)
Wave conditions are constantly monitored here. When the large waves are expected, they send out notices 2 to 4 days out. This year’s “Nazaré Challenge” (part of the world championship tour) will be called when conditions are optimal. Professionals participating will get the heads-up no more than a week in advance and the date will be confirmed just 48 hours ahead. It could be anytime between now and March. People will flock in from all over the world for the one day event.
We weren’t lucky enough to see any mega waves on the sunny day we went. But, the 12-15′ waves we saw were still impressive and beautiful. The mist from the powerful crashes rises to the bluffs high above where people watch and take photos. I had to constantly wipe my camera lens. There were a number of professional surfers present and hundreds of people watching. Surfers get towed way out by jet skis who also race in to pick them up after they finish their ride. The weather was nice for December and well worth the trip. The small town is also very cute and we had an excellent lunch there. Maybe we’ll make a trip back when they forecast the giant waves.
