The brilliant blue waves in Nazaré, Portugal, are famous for their height, speed, and sheer power. The waves here are unparalleled, which attracts brave and thrill-seeking big-wave surfers from all over the world. But how fast do surfers go on these waves?
Surfers at Nazare who ride the big waves at the North Beach can go more than 80 MPH (128 KPH). The waves themselves are often taller than 70 ft (21.34 m). However, the speed range for these waves can be between 57 and 80 MPH (92 and 128 KPH).
So, let’s talk about why Nazaré is one of the best big-wave surf destinations in the world. I’ll tell you all about the speed and size of the waves that crash against the shores at Nazaré. I’ll also discuss how this small seafaring municipality gained its fame as the most famous surfing spot.
A Need for Speed: The Largest, Fastest Waves in the World
Nazaré, Portugal, located just north of the country’s capital Lisbon, holds the record for the largest tides in the world. Because of these extreme waves, the municipality has long been a popular spot for thrill-seeking surfers from around the globe.
Smaller, more common beach waves are generally 4 to 5 ft (1.22 to 1.52 m) tall and usually move at speeds of about 8 to 10 MPH
(12.8 to 16 KPH).
These waves are mild enough for beginner surfers.
However, the waves in Nazaré have been known to reach more than 80 ft (24.38 meters) tall. When you ride a wave that big, you can expect to travel at 57 to 80 MPH (92 to 128 KPH), depending on the speed of the waves.
However, getting to these waves is a challenge in itself. Paddling into the ocean to surf doesn’t work with large waves since they move quickly and fiercely. Additionally, it’s impossible to swim out to catch the gigantic waves, as they are so fast that they will catch you first.
In big-wave surfing, you need someone on a jet ski to tow you out into the ocean with your board. That way, you can access the wave before it peaks, allowing you to surf it before it comes crashing into you.
With the sheer height of Nazaré’s waves, catching speed is not an issue. Many people believe that if a 100 ft (30.48 m) wave could exist, it would be at Nazaré.
However, Nazaré’s waves aren’t just tall. They are also powerful and often break right against the cliffs on the beach, which further increases your speed as a surfer.
Nazaré, Portugal, and Its Surfing History
Nazaré also has one of the oldest fishing traditions in Portugal, and its people take pride in the stunning coastline, which is steeped in thousands of years of ocean-living history.
The shore is still stuffed with fishing ships and dried fish merchants.
However, starting in October and ending in March, the city is taken over by tourists hoping to see the largest waves on the planet. Since 2012, these waves, found on the city’s North Beach, have brought in many big-wave surfers who hope to see if they have what it takes to surf the world’s largest known waves.
The way that the ocean in Navaré is structured is unique. Underneath the North Beach lies a huge canyon unlittered by coral and debris, which allows the waves to blow in from the ocean without resistance.
The first known person to surf the waves in Nazaré was an American who visited Portugal and recorded his surfing trip in 1968.
However, in the mid-1990s, Americans usually visited in the summer months, when the waves were much calmer.
They usually surfed on the main beach, which has much milder waves. Because of this, even though Nazaré has been a popular surfing spot since the 60s, it only gained fame as a big-wave destination in the early 2000s.
When Garrett McNamara, one of the worlds’ most famous big-wave surfers, heard of the waves at Nazaré’s North Beach, he had to check them out. He was astounded by the massive size of the waves when he got there in 2010.
Watching the tide crash in, he saw the potential for a record-breaking surf.
In 2012, McNamara took to the waves in Nazaré, setting the Guinness World Record for surfing the largest wave ever. When measured from trough to crest, the tide was 78 ft (23.77 m) tall.
Check out this YouTube video of McNamara’s graceful record-setting trip along the massive Nazaré, shared by The Surfing Network:
In 2017, Rodrigo Koxa broke McNamara’s record, surfing an 80 ft (24.38 m) wave in Nazaré.
Even more recently, in 2020, António Laureano, a Nazaré native, claims to have surfed a 101 ft (30.8 m) wave on the North Beach. However, this wave, which the University of Lisbon’s Faculty of Human Kinetics in Portugal measured, is yet to be confirmed by experts from the Guinness World Records.
Have Any Surfers Died at Nazaré?
No one has died so far at Nazaré. Most big-wave surfers are experienced and know what they are getting into when they get in the water. Experienced surfers usually bring safety crews and friends along to help out in the case of a big wipeout.
However, two surfers reportedly had near-death experiences on the water at the North Beach, and many others have undoubtedly also had close calls in these waters. That’s why, in 2021, Nazaré officials enlarged the safety crew on the beach to include a doctor and more nurses and lifeguards.
Ultimately, the surfers at Nazaré know what they are doing, and they take all of the precautions they need to ensure that they come out of the water safely.
For an inside view of what it takes to surf at Nazaré, check out this fascinating video from 60 Minutes Australia:
Final Thoughts
Nazaré is the ultimate place to catch gigantic, powerful waves, which can send surfers gliding at speeds of around 80 MPH (128 KPH).
These monster waves haven’t always been the attraction they are today but gained popularity in the 2000s.
Today, with more big-wave surfers looking to find a 100 ft (30.48 m) wave than ever before and the growing popularity of the sport of surfing, Nazaré has become a popular destination for ocean enthusiasts around the globe.
