Remarkable footage of professional surfers performing amazing rides during the first big swell of the season in Nazare, Portugal.

The video, captured on October 21 in Praia do Norte, shows surfers riding up to 65-ft waves and experiencing terrifying wipeouts.

''Despite a soft starting, the session rapidly developed into a stormy and uncommonly dangerous day, with massive waves, strong currents, and a heavy shorebreak on the inside,'' the filmer later wrote online.

''It was a nightmare for the safety teams to operate. However, despite many wipeouts, failed rescues and several jet skis flipped by the huge surf, there were no major injuries on record,'' he added.

Praia do Norte beach, near the fishing village of Nazaré, has become famous for huge waves since Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara set a then record in 2011 for the largest wave ever surfed when he rode a 78-foot wave.

October 21st, 2017 - Nazaré Portugal
The first big swell of the season took place this Saturday in Nazaré, Portugal. Praia do Norte (the North Beach) is known for having some of the biggest waves worldwide, including the current world record for the biggest wave ever surfed, by Garrett McNamara in 2011. Many of the Big Wave Surfing elite travelled to Portugal last week from many places across the world, in order to ride this specific swell, including Professional Big Wave Surfers: Francisco Porcella, Lucas Chumbo, Carlos Burle, Rodrigo Koxa, Pedro Calado, Maya Gabeira, Ross Clarke-Jones, Axi Munian, Rafael Tapia, Tom Butler and many others.

The videographer Pedro Miranda who captured the footage later added:

“Despite a soft starting, the session rapidly developed into a stormy and uncommonly dangerous day, with waves ranging from 10 to 20 meters high with bigger sets, strong currents, and a heavy shorebreak on the inside, making it a nightmare for the safety teams to operate. Despite many wipeouts, failed rescues and several jet skis flipped by the huge surf, there were no major injuries on record.”

“There were many memorable rides both paddling and tow-in, the biggest waves of the session were ridden by Carlos Burle, Francisco Porcella, Rodrigo Koxa and Lucas Chumbo, it’s expected that some will be entries on the WSL Big Wave Awards as the footage and photos are still emerging.”

Video Notes:
Surfers, by time code for lower thirds inclusion if needed:

00:27 to 00:37 - Lucas Chumbo (Brazil)
00:40 to 00:54 - Rodrigo Koxa (Brazil)
00:55 to 01:13 - Pedro Calado (Brazil)
01:14 to 01:31 - Francisco Porcella (Italian-Hawaian)
01:42 to 01:56 - Axi Muniain (Spain / Basque Country)
01:58 to 02:11 - Carlos Burle (Brazil)
02:22 to 02:36 - Lucas Chumbo (Brazil)