- 11 November 2011 | Surfing
The questions have been all around. Has Garrett McNamara broken the world record of the biggest, largest or highest waves ever surfed?
The best scientific approach might start by identifying the base of the wave. That is the lowest point you can spot in any wave. Then, it's time to get to the peak or the highest point in the crest of the wave.
Of course, you may adopt other measuring models but, normally, you don't get photographs or video footage from the back of the wave. That's why wave records are usually confirmed by the wave face measurement.
To get things into perspective you also have to identify and measure the surfer's height. We’ve decided to consider 1.75 metres, in Garrett McNamara's case. Fair enough.
Finally, from the take off point, we've measured the wave down the falls. The wave height measuring system is not perfect and never will be, but it's fair to consider that the biggest wave ever surfed has been accomplished by GMAC, at Praia do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal, on the 1st November 2011.
Watch the complete video of the Garrett McNamara's big wave ride. What do you say?