The world is full of crazy waves, the type that most of us would never dream of surfing when it gets big. Self-preservation usually kicks in and tells us that dropping into these gigantic ocean offerings could end badly. But still surfers persist in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on a surfboard. From Africa to Asia and a few other places in between, here are 5 insane waves from 5 different continents…
Dungeons – Africa
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Just off Cape Town on the South African coast is a wave called Dungeons, and while it’s a fickle wave that doesn’t rear its head too often, when it does it’s like a mystical gigantic monster awakening. If the sheer size of the waves that break here isn’t enough to put you off, the fact that Great White sharks patrol these waters looking for a bite to eat undoubtedly will. Still, when this wave pumps there’ll be surfers out there scratching into skyscraper-sized waves…
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Mavericks – North America
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This NorCal big wave spot is a beast that only certified hellmen dare to ride. Every year, if the swell is big enough, big wave chargers descend upon Half Moon Bay to take on the monster waves that break here. One of the most lethal cold water waves in the world, even experienced surfers have lost their lives at Mavericks…
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Nazaré – Europe
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The culture continent isn’t renowned for its gnarly surf, but if one surf break bucks that trend it’s Nazaré in Portugal. Mammoth Atlantic swells batter the west coast of Europe during the winter and Nazaré is constantly in the sights of big wave surfers from across the world. The biggest wave ever surfed was recorded here, ridden by the Hawaiian legend Garrett McNamara…
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Shipsterns Bluff – Australia
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In the chilly depths of Tasmania, off the southern coast of Australia, is a mutant wave that looks nasty, very nasty. Just looking at this thing turn inside out in front of a towering cliff is enough to put you off going anywhere near it. Shipsterns Bluff is reserved solely for those surfers crazy enough to give it a go, and there aren’t that many of them…
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Nias – Asia
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This freight-train-ride of a wave is perhaps the most tame of all the breaks on this list, but you’ll still need a balls of steel to paddle out when Nias is pumping. A thundering right-hander that spins and spits its way across a shelf of cheese-grater-style coral reef. A wipeout here can literally shred the skin from your back, if you’re lucky enough to land on your back…
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Featured image: Ray Collins @raycollinsphoto via Instagram