French surfer beats McNamara's world record at Nazaré

A French surfer has beaten Portugal’s surfing ambassador Garrett McNamara’s 30 metre record

Nazaré on Portugal’s stormy west coast on December 11th was the scene of monumental waves and an effort by French surfer Benjamin Sanchis to beat the world record set by Hawaii resident Garrett McNamara.

The Frenchman’s successful and death defying achievement now has been approved as a Guinness World Record and beats McNamara’s best by a full three metres.

The approval and official confirmation that that wave was the highest ever surfed sets the bar at an almost impossible height for wannabe world champions.

Benjamin Sanchis fell from the wall of water and was rescued by Deric Rebière who had accompanied the French surfer on a jet-ski to provide assistance.

The giant waves of Nazaré are acting as a magnet to the most radical surfers in the world and bringing worldwide attention to Portugal as a surfing destination to match, and recently to exceed, the best locations on the planet.

The waves at Nazaré’s north beach are created by particular features on the ocean floor that create an almost perfect confluence of wave power and height.

For the Sanchis interview, see

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya-ug4SFCWU#t=70

For the surfing, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39pyQVQJxjs

See also

http://www.algarvedailynews.com/news/4146-british-surfer-wiped-out-in-bid-for-world-record-at-nazare

http://www.algarvedailynews.com/news/2233-turismo-de-portugal-signs-up-surfer-garrett-mcnamara

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