Why Nazaré's waves are only for the truly brave

Praia do Norte has some of the biggest waves on the planet, making it a magnet for surfers who want the biggest thrills going.

Justine Dupont gets in position for another mammoth wave. Some of the biggest waves on the planet are found at Nazaré, 80 kilometres north of Portugal's capital Lisbon.

Justine Dupont.

Rafael Tapia.

Alemao de Maresias.

Justine Dupont heads up the beach

Justine Dupont keeping low as he drops in. In January 2013 Garrett McNamara successfully rode what was estimated to be the first 100 ft wave at Nazaré.

Rafael Tapia.

Rafael Tapia, bumping along, with a LOT of water coming in behind him...

Rafael Tapia.

Rafael Tapia.

Ross Clarke Jones.

Sebastien Steudtner and Rafael Tapia find there's room on this wave for two...

Sebastien Steudtner.

Ross Clarke.

Justine Dupont and Ross Clarke Jones - synchronised surfing.

Ross Clarke Jones.

Fred David.

Sebastian Steudtner wearily trudges out of the water after battling the mighty monsters of the deep.

Sebastian Steudtner is knackered...

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Surfing Nazaré

Justine Dupont gets in position for another mammoth wave. Some of the biggest waves on the planet are found at Nazaré, 80 kilometres north of Portugal's capital Lisbon.

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Justine Dupont.

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Rafael Tapia.

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Alemao de Maresias.

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Justine Dupont heads up the beach

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Justine Dupont keeping low as he drops in. In January 2013 Garrett McNamara successfully rode what was estimated to be the first 100 ft wave at Nazaré.

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Rafael Tapia.

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Rafael Tapia, bumping along, with a LOT of water coming in behind him...

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Rafael Tapia.

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Rafael Tapia.

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Ross Clarke Jones.

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Sebastien Steudtner and Rafael Tapia find there's room on this wave for two...

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Sebastien Steudtner.

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Ross Clarke.

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Justine Dupont and Ross Clarke Jones - synchronised surfing.

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Ross Clarke Jones.

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Fred David.

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Sebastian Steudtner wearily trudges out of the water after battling the mighty monsters of the deep.

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

Surfing Nazaré

Sebastian Steudtner is knackered...

Foto: FRANCISCO LEONG / AFP

Update: Feb 10th, 2017 14:21 EST

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