When most surfers think of big wave surf spots, the usual suspects come to mind—Jaws, Mavericks, Waimea Bay, Nazare, and Pipe’s outer reefs, to name a few.
But in the latest episode of Portugal Back to Back, big wave surfer Nic von Rupp takes viewers to a lesser-known big wave spot off the coast of Portugal.
In the episode below, von Rupp and a big wave crew surf the “swell of the decade” at a surf break he says is “arguably the best big wave point break in the world.”
The spot is on Madeira island, which he explores in the episode above. It’s captioned:
“Known for its powerful, heavy, long, and perfect waves, Madeira Island is seen by many as the Hawaii of the Atlantic. Surrounded by crystal-clear blue waters and covered lush subtropical vegetation it plays the part all too well.
“But the absence of big crowds, the fine wine culture, the boulder-riddled beaches, the delicious food and the general look and vibe of Madeira, really sets it all apart.”
Von Rupp opens the edit with a brief breakdown of the island, which he calls a “very traditional Portuguese place” that’s “very European” in terms of structure. The “surfing paradise” is closer to Africa than it is to Lisbon.
Its south shore catches west swells and is “all about the rights,” while the north shore is all about the lefts.
Finally, he’s ready to surf, and says:
“Enough talking. We’ve got some serious stuff going on right now. We’ve got a historic swell in the ocean right now, one of the biggest ever.
“Madeira’s really recognized for its big waves, comparable to places like Hawaii. We’ve got a group of big-wave surfers here with us right now. It’s about to happen, we’re gonna ride some huge waves. Let’s go.”
Press play above to explore Madeira. Is it bucket list worthy? Looks like it.
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