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Massive swells create incredible big wave surfing from Nazare, Portugal to Maui’s North Shore
Surfing 100-foot waves is an all-time photo op.
Big-wave surfer nearly dies in jetski mishap at Nazaré
After surviving a wipeout in the dangerous surf of Portugal’s Nazaré, pro surfer Alex Botelho very nearly died during the subsequent rescue.
After surviving a wipeout in the dangerous surf of Portugal’s Nazaré, a famous big-wave destination, pro surfer Alex Botelho very nearly died during the subsequent rescue when he and his partner, who was driving a jetski, were sent flying by colliding waves.
The incident occurred Tuesday during the World Surf League’s Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge, and it had those watching from shore holding their collective breath.
After the wipeout, the Portuguese surfer was picked up by partner Hugo Vau on a jetski, but they were unable to outrun a wall of whitewater and went airborne when an approaching wave slammed into them. Moments later, another wave washed over them as the cameraman panned the water.
Anxious moments passed as spectators watched in hopes that Botelho would pop up to the surface. Vau had already been located.
Finally, near the shore, Botelho was spotted unconscious and floating facedown in the water. Rescue crews from shore were quick to reach him and place him on a spinal board. Botelho was rushed to the hospital.
The WSL announced later that he was “stable and conscious,” and that he was to remain hospitalized for further evaluation.
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“Today I was confronted with the reality of our sport, heartbreaking watching my brother Alex Botelho between life and death right in front of the eyes of the world,” fellow Portuguese big-wave surfer Nic Von Rupp wrote on Instagram. “Honestly, very few would have survived, just a beast of a human like Alex [could] pull thru…not only because the strong human he is, but mostly for the love many people have for him praying to pull thru.”
The Guardian reported that this was the first time the WSL’s Big Wave world tour has visited Nazaré where Brazilian Rodrigo Koxa set a world record for surfing the biggest wave at 80 feet in 2017.
The WSL was quick to recognize the efforts of the rescue crew, writing on YouTube, “A heartfelt thank you to the safety and medical teams for their quick response. We are wishing Alex a full and speedy recovery. The work of the Water Safety Team in rescuing and saving Alex’s life was incredible.”
Photos of the incident courtesy of the World Surf League. Photos of Alex Botelho riding out a big wave and later carrying his broken surf board at Nazaré in December 2016 by Lars Baron/Getty Images.