30 Apr Surfer Risks His Life Attempting To Break World Record By Riding Monstrous 80-Foot Wave

I think it’s fair to say that the prospect of breaking a world record is appealing to many of us. And that’s because there’s something deep down in all of us that really seeks to be immortalized as the “best in the world”.

After all, what is the point of being able to do something well if you don’t receive any recognition for it?

Then again, world records aren’t always “impressive” in the traditional sense of the word. Many of them are just downright bizarre. Some of the most ridiculous “victories” recorded in the Guinness World Records include “Most toilet seats broken by the head in one minute” and “Most steps walked by a dog balancing a glass of water”. Need I say more?

However, that certainly shouldn’t take away from the fact that many world records are incredible feats of athletic skill. The thing is, often such records can put the life of the athlete in an alarming amount of danger.

Watch the impressive and spine-chilling moment a surfer breaks the world record for riding the largest wave ever surfed:

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The surfer in question is Rodrigo Koxa and the inspiring video was taken on November 8, 2017, at Nazaré in Portugal. The record received official recognition on Saturday night at the World Surf League’s Big Wave Awards in California.

Koxa could have put his life in serious danger when he caught the 80-foot wave. But fortunately, he came out of the experience with undeniable victory and a world record to his name. He said winning the award was “the best day of my life”.

The previous record breaker was set at 78 feet by Garrett McNamara back in 2011. Other awards that were handed out at the awards ceremony include the Best Men’s Overall Performance trophy which fellow Brazilian Lucas Chianca was awarded. The 22-year-old surfer also won the Nazare Challenge earlier this year.

Hawaiian surfer Paige Alms was awarded the Best Women’s Overall Performance for the third time in her career. Earlier this year, Alms defended her Big Wave Tour crown after she won the Pe’ahi Challenge.

British surfer Andrew Cotton won the Wipeout of the Year award after his horrific fall in Nazare, Portugal last year. He was absent from the ceremony as he still recovering from the broken vertebrae he endured in that wipeout.

We wish him a speedy recovery and also wish his fellow competitive surfers continued success in their careers.

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