20-Foot Rogue Wave Shorebreak Annihilates Beachgoer (Video)

Shorebreak waves, generally speaking, aren’t good for surfing.

There’s nowhere to go when a wave breaks right on the sand, they’re typically more closed-out like a wall of water, and they crumble quickly – not much time to actually ride the wave. From a skimboarding perspective, they’re great; surfing, not so much.

But then there’s something else. Some folks (with perhaps a few screws loose) willingly submit themselves to some of the heaviest shorebreak waves in the world, sans board of any kind. Like this clip below, featuring Jack “Crazy Legs” Howie in Cabo San Lucas.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pWf8cn8g8lA

Greg Viviani (aka @SoLagLocal), who captured the viral clip (13.8 million views, and counting) explained:

“Going down to Cabo San Lucas for the annual El Rey De Lovers Skimboarding Contest this year was one for the books! This was one of the largest swells I’ve seen first-hand in person the whole time I’ve been going to Cabo. The incredible power of the ocean at Solmar beach and all of Cabo is something that should never be disrespected.”

As for this clip, in particular, it shows Crazy Legs charging towards a massive wall of water, willingly, then, at the last second, running in the opposite direction. It’s something that most people wouldn’t dare do, due to the sheer power of the waves.

But that’s something Viviani and Crazy Legs have been doing for decades, and there’s a method to their madness:

“This running towards the massive shorebreak is something we have done our whole lives. You have to be quick to your feet and try not to get knocked down as the water is rushing back out. And if for some reason you get pulled out, going under the waves and getting back to shore can be pretty difficult sometimes.”

Of course, however, this isn’t advised for the general public. Viviani added:

“These waves are very dangerous and I do not recommend anyone who isn’t familiar with the ocean or a strong waterman to even go into the ocean during these major swell events. The adrenaline rush is half the fun though. But leave this past time to the professionals so you don’t die. And to all of those people saying, ‘this is dangerous.’ Yes, we know. But so is driving on the freeway, and we still do that every day.”