Is Nazare a legitimate big wave spot?

[Pterodroma]

So video of massive Nazare has done the rounds again this week, and has previously given the world the "biggest wave ever surfed". There is no doubting it gets huge... So why no real attention from many of the big wave guys? Sure, Dorian paddled it a while back but thats about it.

It's obviously a tow wave when it's that big (although that's what everyone said about plenty of other big waves until guys started paddling them). Is this just indicative of the current preference for paddling over towing amongst the best of the best? The passing of the tow surfing madness?

Too difficult to predict accurately for it to be worth the effort/logistics?

Is it because it often looks like the biggest scariest mushburger ever and no one wants to get killed by a wave like that?

[WP101]

Is it because it often looks like the biggest scariest mushburger ever and no one wants to get killed by a wave like that?

yep, total mushburger

[Pterodroma]

http://vimeo.com/58479789#

[insideout]

Big wave surfing to me just looks like people going really fast and holding a straight line....

I reckon most surfers could get towed into a wave at Nazare and make it if they were in a life or death situation.

[mal-nourished]

its probably more legitimate as theres no channels etc like pico alto its a open ocean wave so realistically more of a challenge than some big name breaks ....

[danny1]

this isn't a legitimate thread

[Chris F]

I reckon most surfers could get towed into a wave at Nazare and make it if they were in a life or death situation.

But how many are prepared to take that chance?

[Philshoz]

Roy would go

[rodent]

its probably more legitimate as theres no channels etc like pico alto its a open ocean wave so realistically more of a challenge than some big name breaks ....

Don't get the comparison, Pico Alto is about a KM out to sea and is a popular paddle in spot

[briggfoot]

I reckon most surfers could get towed into a wave at Nazare and make it if they were in a life or death situation.

But how many are prepared to take that chance?

Agreed.

And it's these guys who developed the techniques of 'getting towed' in in the first place: - speeds, trajectories, angles, wave selection, take-off areas etc. Their 'skill' is a lot more than just standing on a board riding down the face, it's getting to that stage in the first place.

Plus they have the experience and specialist fitness and mindset to handle large wave wipeouts and come back for more, whereas for us they'd probably be fatal.

[mal-nourished]

the comparasion with pico alto- rodent was in relation to them being shifting heaving waves with no channel should imagine pretty scarey to have a big monster wave doing that whilst in the water... the tow in paddle in in argument i personally think is one will be tested over the course the wind would play a big part its a shame the boys over in irelland arent getting same exposure for the sessions going down at mullaghmore this week.....

[buttholesurfer]

Shifting around snarling monster! NO THANKS!

[WP101]

this isn't a legitimate thread

totally. makes no sense what so ever.

[Chris F]

Is Nazare a legitimate big wave spot?

Are the Kennedys gun shy?

[WP101]

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

[Vince Noir]

Whey to send a thread off course

[Matt Rose]

Captain, I see a wave approaching on the horizon, it looks quite big.

Is it legitimate?

[dixie]

seen saunton bigger

[dixie]

and funny mushrooms in my yard

[Underdog]

Nah, Looks like a bastard to me...........

[WP101]

Captain, I see a wave approaching on the horizon, it looks quite big.

Is it legitimate?

guaranteed ill be using that one

[Pterodroma]

its a shame the boys over in irelland arent getting same exposure for the sessions going down at mullaghmore this week.....

Agreed.

I reckon most surfers could get towed into a wave at Nazare and make it if they were in a life or death situation.

Rather you than me...

The dedication, preparation and skill set involved in catching one of these beasts at Nazare is something I have great respect for. Plenty of surfers with this skill set have not surfed there. Why aren't more guys surfing/towing Nazare? Maybe they will after this?

If I was going to go and sit on the cliff to watch a swell I would travel to Mullaghmore over Nazare. The mainstream media (understandably) seem most interested in the biggest wave, are surfers the same? Or are we more impressed by something less easily defined and understood by people who don't surf?

[Archy_is_God]

Nazare has been surfed by decades - 99% paddle and only just recently has it hit the media attention as a tow spot, quite legitimately if you ask me.

It's a giant beachbreak and like all beachies, you get some bonkers inside-out barrels and the odd one that mushes out... but TBH, I would steer clear of it in most circumstances.

When you speak to Cotty, he says it's a pretty freaky place even at 8ft and if it spooks him, then I'll give it a very wide berth thank you

[Pterodroma]

Nazare has been surfed by decades - 99% paddle and only just recently has it hit the media attention as a tow spot, quite legitimately if you ask me.

Thanks, had wondered if it had always been surfed but only more recently on the really massive days. When you see more panned out footage of the whole set up it looks really intense and terrifying.

I guess the double up effect (constructive interference - http://magicseaweed.com/Nazare-Up-To-11-Content/3549/3/) also plays a part in the waves that seem to roll and tumble rather than throw over.

Kudos to anyone with the balls to go anywhere near it though.