Photos: Extreme surfers flock to Portugal’s Nazare to catch record waves

After news broke out that a set of fearsome 20-metre waves were coming to the small town Nazare in Portugal's Atlantic coast, big wave surfers have been frequenting the town to ride these waves. The monster waves have always crashed at the town's beach, but surfers had previously ignored Portugal and gravitated towards beaches in California and Hawaii. The town was put on the surfing map in 2010 when the town's mayor launched an initiative to attract surfers. The surge in the popularity of Nazare has led to more traffic in the town and increased construction activities. However, it has boosted local businesses with more shops open during the winter season.

Updated on: Nov 25, 2019 11:17 AM IST

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Brazilian surfer Rodrigo Koxa rides a wave during a free surfing session in Nazare, Portugal. Big wave surfers have been flocking to this formerly sleepy Portuguese fishing town, chasing monster waves that are some of the highest ever surfed. Nazare hosts one the two big waves surfing contest in the world, with waves reaching up to 30 metre during winter time. (Olivier Morin / AFP)

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French surfer Justine Dupont waxes her surfboard before a big wave surfing session in Nazare.Earlier this month the news broke that a set of fearsome 20-metre waves were coming to this small town located in the Atlantic coast. The message spread like wildfire and soon extreme surfers and sports fans -- as well as keen photographers -- arrived at the town’s Praia de Norte beach. (Olivier Morin / AFP)

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Dupont poses with her equipment -- airbag, life jacket, padded undersuit, surboard with footstraps, wetsuit -- for a big wave surfing session in Nazare. The masses missed out on seeing Dupont have the ride of her life on November 13. It could be a new surfing world record set by a woman. “I began riding the wave, I felt I was going faster than usual, and that it was steeper,” said the 28-year-old surfer. (Olivier Morin / AFP)

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Dupont rides a big wave during a free surfing session in Nazare. She has spent four winters chasing the extreme waves in the town. She said the seaside town with a population of 15,000 has become a surf haven over the last few years. “It’s mad!” she said. “Two years ago we went to see the sea by the lighthouse, there were no cars parked -- now, you can’t drive.” (Olivier Morin / AFP)

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Garrett McNamara, 52, the American legend of big waves surfer poses before a surfing session in Nazare. The town was put on the surfing map in 2010 when the town’s mayor launched an initiative to attract surfers. “We were looking for someone who could develop big wave surfing” said Pedro Pisco, a local sports minister. He asked for help from McNamara, who until last year held the world record for the highest wave ever surfed. (Olivier Morin / AFP)

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Surfers watch the wave conditions early morning before a free surfing session in Nazare. The monster waves have always crashed at the town’s beach, but surfers had previously ignored Portugal and gravitated towards beaches in California and Hawaii. Anne-Marie Sana-Boisson, who owns a market stall in Nazare, said that the town has changed rapidly over the last four years -- and not necessarily for the better. (Olivier Morin / AFP)

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Spectators watch waves break on the cliff during a free surfing session in Nazare. “At first there were a few people but now it’s crowded,” said Sana-Boisson. She said many buildings are being constructed and sold, making it “hard to find houses”. But she admitted the town has become “more dynamic”. And, she adds, not everything is closed over winter as it was before. (Olivier Morin / AFP)