From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Big wave surfing is a discipline in surfing where riders paddle into waves which are at least 20 feet high, on surf boards known as "guns" or "rhino chasers". The bigger the wave, the faster it travels, and the bigger the surf board needed to catch it. A larger board allows a rider to paddle fast enough to catch the wave and has the advantage of being more stable, but it also limits their maneuverability.

This discipline in surfing was the origin of the cross-over sport known as tow-in surfing. While many riders participate in both sports, they remain very distinct activities. Tow-In Surfing is only for the most experienced of big wave surfers.

Contents 1 Hazards of big wave surfing 2 Notable big wave surfing spots 3 Noted big wave surfers 4 Big wave surfing movies 5 References 6 See also 7 External links

In a big wave wipeout, a breaking wave can push surfers down 20 to 50 feet below the surface. Once they stop spinning around, they have to quickly regain their equilibrium and figure out which way is up. They may have less than 20 seconds to get to the surface for a breath of air before the next wave hits them. Additionally, the water pressure at a depth of 20-50 feet can be strong enough to rupture one's eardrums. Strong currents and water action at those depths can also slam a surfer into a reef or even the floor, which can result in severe injuries or even death.

One of the greatest dangers is the risk of being held down by two or more consecutive waves without the chance to reach the surface for air. Surviving a triple hold-down is extremely difficult.

Despite these hazards, very few big-wave surfers have ever died in the practice of the sport, with the notable exceptions of Mark Foo, who died surfing Mavericks, Todd Chesser who died at Alligator Rock on the North Shore of Oahu on February 14th, 1997, and Donnie Solomon died exactly a year later at Waimea Bay.

• Waimea Bay, Hawaii
• Mavericks, California
• Ghost Trees, California
• The Wedge, California
• Teahupoo, Tahiti
• Jaws (beach), Hawaii
• Shipstern, Tasmania, Australia
• The Outer Banks, North Carolina

• Titus (Nihi) Kinimaka
• Mike Parsons
• Laird Hamilton
• Eddie Aikau
• Ken Bradshaw
• Jeff Clark
• Shane Dorian

• Mark Foo
• Greg Noll
• Milton and Michael Willis
• Ross Clarke-Jones
• Cheyne Horan
• Koby Abberton

• Riding Giants (2004)
• Billabong Odyssey (2004)
• Biggest Wednesday - Condition Black (2001)

Raleigh Thompson

• Matt Warshaw: Maverick's: the story of big-wave surfing, Chronicle Books, ISBN 0-8118-2652-X

Bruce Jenkins 'North Shore Chronicles'

• Diving hazards and precautions

• Wave Warrior (pbs.org)
• Shipstern photo gallery
• Surfing Forum
• Summary of the worlds biggest surfing waves