Tag: nazare

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.

Also on FTW Outdoors: Spearfisherman dragged out to sea by great white shark

“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.”

Alex Botelho riding at Nazaré in 2016 (above) and walking away with his broken surfboard (below).

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.

Follow David Strege and the outdoors on Facebook.

Rescuer does the impossible to save big-wave surfer

The World Surf League called it “one of the craziest rescues ever seen” when a big-wave surfer was picked up just in the nick of time.

The World Surf League called it “one of the craziest rescues ever seen” when Brazilian big-wave surfer Lucas Chumbo, after exiting a big wave, was picked up by his teammate on a jetski just moments away from total disaster.

The close call occurred during a big-wave session at the famous big-wave locale of Nazaré, Portugal, last Wednesday, and it was captured in video by Pedro Miranda, who posted the footage on Friday.

Chumbo, a 24-year-old from Brazil who is one of the most prominent big-wave surfers in the world, rode a big wave and made a successful exit, leaving him in what is called the inside or the impact zone. His teammate, Ian Cosenza, had only a matter of seconds to reach Chumbo and ride to safety before a following wave of whitewater devoured them.

Amazingly, they were engulfed by whitewater but managed to ride to safety anyway.

“I’ve been filming Nazaré for many years, and during a jetski rescue there is one thing guaranteed: when the whitewater swallows a jetski, it’s game over, period,” Miranda told USA Today/For The Win Outdoors.

“Well, apparently not anymore. What Cosenza did was incredible; he stuck to it and managed to do something we all thought was impossible, especially because of all the bumps and turbulence inside the foam ball. It took a great deal of experience and for sure some luck to pull off this stunt.”

Miranda told For The Win Outdoors “the consequences could’ve been very dramatic, as both of them could be hit by the jetski and knocked unconscious right in the worst place of Praia do Norte.”

Miranda said the surfer and his rescuing teammate “are redefining the concept of extreme watermen.”

Also on FTW Outdoors: Surfer Bethany Hamilton shares powerful message

In his description with the video, Miranda explained further, saying, “Cosenza has to go full speed and needs critical control to avoid the bumps in the water that can easily flip the jetski. Given this was a high-period swell, waves are faster than usual (reaching speeds of 60 mph) and eventually the monster wall of whitewater that is chasing them, end up swallowing the jetski and both surfers.

“When something like this happens it generally doesn’t end well, but incredibly and against all odds, Ian Cosenza saved the day, successfully riding the jetski out of the whitewater and putting them both out of harm’s way.”

Photos courtesy of Pedro Miranda.

Follow David Strege and the outdoors on Facebook.