The “Biggest Swell in Years” Just Hit Nazaré (Video)

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated Jan 31, 2025 2:21 PM ET

It’s been a somewhat quiet season, thus far, in the Atlantic big wave surfing sector. Elsewhere in the Pacific, there's been less crickets – capping off 2024, the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational ran at Waimea Bay (congrats, Landon McNamara), a potential world record wave was surfed at Maverick’s (Alo Slebir, 108-foot), and another undetermined behemoth at Jaws (Benjamin Sanchis).

But Nazaré, Portugal’s premier heavy-water gauntlet, has been slightly MIA – aside from a season-opener session, which was bursting with crowds that brought to mind the 1995 film, Waterworld.

The most recent swell, however, was not nearly as crowded. And for good reason. This swell, which was utterly humungous and accompanied by gale force winds, was not one for the masses. Only experts, like Portugal’s own Nic Von Rupp, tempted fate in search of glory and motored out to have a crack at what Rupp called the “biggest swell in years.” Check out his video recap below.

“Some of the roughest seas I’ve ever seen,” NVR says post session. “We knew it was going to be 36 knot wind. Then, all of a sudden, the wind kind of stopped. It started going in the right direction. I got one left and it felt super good. It was perfect timing. It’s been Nazaré at its fullest – big, stormy, short period, as dangerous as it gets…but we survived. It’s not a guarantee to survive these conditions. Another swell at Nazaré. That was one for the books, at least my books.”

There’s more on the way, too. A couple more storms are heading for western Europe, and these have the potential to produce longer period, less stormy conditions. Stay tuned for more Naz soon.

And in the meantime, check out the raw footage from the most recent session below.