Big wave surfing is a discipline in surfing where riders paddle into or are towed onto waves which are at least 20 feet (6,2 m) 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. For other uses, see Surfing (disambiguation). ... The term Surfboard can refer to: Used for Surfing, the popular recreational water sport and activity, surfboards are divided into three types: shortboard, funboard or longboard. ...

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. Tow-in surfing is a surfing technique pioneered by Laird Hamilton, Buzzy Kerbox, Dave Kalama and others in the late 1990s where a surfer is towed into a breaking wave by a partner driving a personal watercraft or a helicopter with an attached tow-line. ...

Hazards of big wave surfing

In a big wave wipeout, a breaking wave can push surfers down 20 to 50 (6,2 m to 15,5 m) 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 which is why it is important to know how to swim out of these situations.

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 on December 23rd, 1994, Donnie Solomon, who died exactly a year later at Waimea Bay, and Todd Chesser who died at Alligator Rock on the North Shore of Oahu on February 14th, 1997. A possible explanation for the relatively low fatality rate is experience; most big-wave surfers are highly skilled in the water and have likely trained themselves to handle the situations described above. Mark Foo was a professional surfer born in Singapore in 1958, relocated to Hawaii at age 4, where he spent his early childhood surfing the South Shore of Oahu. ... Mavericks or Mavericks is a world-famous surfing location in Northern California. ... Waimea Bay is located on the North Shore of O‘ahu in the Hawaiian Islands at the mouth of the Waimea River. ... Oʻahu (usually Oahu outside Hawaiian and Hawaiian English), the Gathering Place, is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous island in the State of Hawaiʻi. ...

Notable big wave surfing spots

• Waimea Bay, Hawaii
• Mavericks, California
• Ghost Trees, California
• Teahupoo, Tahiti
• Peahi, aka, Jaws, Hawaii
• Shipstern, Tasmania, Australia
• Pico Alto, Lima, Peru
• Aill na Searrach, Ireland (AKA " Aileens")
• Hout Bay, South Africa (AKA "Dungeons")
• Cyclops, Western Australia, Australia

main break margaret river western australia Waimea Bay, viewed from Puu o Mahuka Heiau State Monument Waimea Bay is located in HaleÊ»iwa on the North Shore of O‘ahu in the Hawaiian Islands at the mouth of the Waimea River. ... Official language(s) English, Hawaiian Capital Honolulu Largest city Honolulu Area  Ranked 43rd  - Total 10,931 sq mi (29,311 km²)  - Width n/a miles (n/a km)  - Length 1,522 miles (2,450 km)  - % water 41. ... Mavericks or Mavericks is a world-famous surfing location in Northern California. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Ghost Trees is a famed big wave surfing location off Pebble Beach, California. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Teahupoo (pronounced Cho-pu) is a world-renowned surfing location off the south-east of the island of Tahiti, French Polynesia, southern Pacific Ocean. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Jaws is the name given a beach near the town of Peahi on the island of Maui in the US state of Hawaii. ... Official language(s) English, Hawaiian Capital Honolulu Largest city Honolulu Area  Ranked 43rd  - Total 10,931 sq mi (29,311 km²)  - Width n/a miles (n/a km)  - Length 1,522 miles (2,450 km)  - % water 41. ... Slogan or Nickname: The Apple Isle; Holiday Isle Motto(s): Ubertas et Fidelitas (Fertility and Faithfulness) Other Australian states and territories Capital Hobart Government Constitutional monarchy Governor William Cox Premier Paul Lennon (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 5  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $16,114... This article is about Lima, Peru. ... Hout Bay as seen from Chapmans Peak Drive at sunset. ... This page is about the mythical creature. ... Slogan or Nickname: Wildflower State or the Golden State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Ken Michael Premier Alan Carpenter (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 15  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $100,900 (4th)  - Product per capita  $50,355/person...

Noted big wave surfers

• Ken "Skindog" Collins
• 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
• John McCarthy
• Bob Pike
• Jack Pomeroy

Mike Parsons (born March 3, 1965) was a surfer sponsored by the Billabong company who famously set a world record for the tallest ocean surface wave ever surfed successfully, a 66-foot wave at Cortez Bank, CA in 2001, for which he was awarded $66,000, the highest prize ever... Laird Hamilton (born Laird John Zerfas on March 2, 1964 in San Francisco) is an American big-wave surfer and former male model. ... Edward Ryan Makua Hanai Aikau (May 4, 1946 – March 17, 1978) was a well-known Hawaiian lifeguard and surfer. ... Ken Bradshaw (born October 4, 1952 in Houston, Texas) is a professional surfer and winner of the 1982 Duke Kahanamoku Surfing Classic. ... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Mark Foo was a professional surfer born in Singapore in 1958, relocated to Hawaii at age 4, where he spent his early childhood surfing the South Shore of Oahu. ... Greg Noll (born February 11, 1937) is known as a pioneer of big wave surfing. ... ewwwwww, that is not appropriate Mr. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... Koby Abberton (sometimes credited as the Son of Beaches) was born in Maroubra beach, Sydney, Australia and is an Australian thug best known for his high profile arrogance, as the face of Oately surfwear and his inclusion in the legal battle surrounding his brother, Jai Abberton, who was accused of... John McCarthy may be: Government: John McCarthy (1857–1943), American politician Science: John McCarthy (born 1927), American computer scientist John McCarthy (born 1953), American phonologist Sports: John McCarthy, Mixed martial arts referee Johnny McCarthy, a NBA player Johnny McCarthy, a MLB first baseman John McCarthy, a former Australian rules footballer... Bob Pike (1940-May 20, 1999), full name Robert Hughes Pike, was an Australian surfer who specialized in big wave surfing. ...

Big wave surfing movies

• And the the wind died... Irish big wave surf film (coming late 2007)
• Riding Giants (2004)
• Billabong Odyssey (2004)
• Biggest Wednesday: Condition Black

Riding Giants is a 2004 documentary film directed and narrated by Stacy Peralta, a famous skater/surfer who helped to define modern skateboarding. ...

References

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

Bruce Jenkins 'North Shore Chronicles'

See also

• Diving hazards and precautions

Divers face specific physical and health risks when they go underwater (e. ...

External links

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