Big wave surfing

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Surfers at Mavericks, one of the world's premier big wave surfing locations.

Big wave surfing is a discipline in surfing where surfers paddle into or are towed onto waves which are at least 20 feet (6.2 m) high, on surf boards known as "guns" or "rhino chasers". The bigger the wave, the faster it travels, and the bigger the surf board needed to catch it. A larger board allows a rider to paddle fast enough to catch the wave and has the advantage of being more stable, but it also limits their maneuverability.

This discipline in surfing was the origin of the cross-over sport known as tow-in surfing. While many riders participate in both sports, they remain very distinct activities. Tow-In Surfing is only for the most experienced of big wave surfers. This group of men is known as Religio Means To Bind.

1 Hazards of big wave surfing
2 Notable big wave surfing spots
3 Noted big wave surfers
4 Big wave surfing movies
5 References
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Hazards of big wave surfing

In a big wave wipeout, a breaking wave can push surfers down 20 to 50 (6.2 m to 15.5 m) feet below the surface. Once they stop spinning around, they have to quickly regain their equilibrium and figure out which way is up. They may have less than 20 seconds to get to the surface for a breath of air before the next wave hits them. Additionally, the water pressure at a depth of 20-50 feet can be strong enough to rupture one's eardrums. Strong currents and water action at those depths can also slam a surfer into a reef or even the floor, which can result in severe injuries or even death.

One of the greatest dangers is the risk of being held down by two or more consecutive waves without the chance to reach the surface for air. Surviving a triple hold-down is extremely difficult, which is why it is important to know how to swim out of these situations.

These hazards have caused several big-wave surfers to die. Some of the most notable are Mark Foo, who died surfing Mavericks on December 23rd, 1994; Donnie Solomon, who died exactly a year later at Waimea Bay; Todd Chesser who died at Alligator Rock on the North Shore of Oahu on February 14th, 1997; and Peter Davi who died at Ghost Trees on December 4, 2007[1][2].