Wipe out! Is this the moment Andrew Cotton, a plumber from Devon, broke the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed?
Andrew Cotton, 34, tackled the monster wave in storm seas off the coast of Nazaré, Portugal, on Sunday
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.These remarkable pictures show the moment plumber and professional surfer, Andrew Cotton, may have broken the record for the largest wave ever surfed.
Cotton, 34, tackled the monster wave in stormy seas off the coast of Nazaré, Portugal, on Sunday.
The photographs are taken on the notorious Praia do Norte beach near the fishing village of Nazare on Portugal's Atlantic coast. The beach is a favourite spot for extreme surfers thanks to its huge waves.
Estimating the size of the wave experts have suggested it could be at least as big as the 80ft wall of water that Cotton rode in October of last year.
Local photographer Bruno Aleixo told the North Devon Journal that the wave looked as big as his earlier effort.
Cotton, along with fellow extreme surfer, Garrett McNamara, who had been tempted to fly to Portugal from his home in Hawaii amid rumours of a massive swell, both caught a huge wave each.
Mr Cotton told the North Devon Journal: "It was victory at sea, really. I got one wave, as did Garrett.
"It was stormier, so way harder to drive the jet ski and surf. It was bordering on not surfable."
Whether or not the waves that Cotton rode in October, and then again yesterday have beaten the world record will be decided by Billabong XXL judges in March.
The current world record for the biggest wave ever surfed is held by Garrett McNamara who successfully surfed a 78ft wave off Nazaré in November 2011.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments