SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Man that surfed record-breaking 90 foot wave looking for bigger

Nov 14, 2011, 8:41 AM | Updated: 1:46 pm

The man that surfed what some are saying is the largest wave ever ridden says he’s not done yet.

“There are bigger fish to fry,” said Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara after surfing a wave estimated at a record-breaking 90 feet.

McNamara caught the wave off the coast of Portugal. He tells 97.3 KIRO FM’s Ross and Burbank Show that the area is known for huge waves because of an underwater canyon close to shore.

“There’s a 1,000 foot deep canyon that runs all the way to the shore. It’s the only place in the world that has this phenomenon.”

Listen to Garrett McNamara: Surfer Breaks Record in Portugal

While the wave he rode sets the record at 90 feet, McNamara is still in the area hoping to find one over 100 feet.

“I’m pitching a tent, camping out here for awhile,” says McNamara, “living my dream, and hopefully inspiring people to live their dreams and do what they’re passionate about. It makes the world a much better place if you do what you’re passionate about.”

McNamara acknowledges the waves can be so powerful, “it could rip your head off your body.”

But he says he has a skilled crew that aids him in his attempts.

“We just work as a team,” says McNamara, “managing what could go wrong.”

He says many factors have to come together at once to give rise to a 100 foot wave, but he’s willing to wait and take his chances.

By JAMIE GRISWOLD, MyNorthwest.com Editor

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Man that surfed record-breaking 90 foot wave looking for bigger