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'It was luck': Brazilian surfer rides 100ft 'biggest wave ever' - moments after saving companion from drowning

Carlos Burle risked his life riding the enormous wave, which hit the coast of Portugal near Nazare yesterday

'It was luck': Brazilian surfer rides 100ft 'biggest wave ever' - moments after saving companion from drowning

A daredevil Brazilian surfer has surfed what could be the biggest wave ever - a 100ft swell on the Portugese coast created by the St Jude's Storm.

Carlos Burle risked his life riding the enormous wave, which hit the coast of Portugal near Nazare yesterday.

He managed to conquer the phenomenal wave, which was an estimated 20ft taller than that surfed by Garrett McNamara in 2011.

His achievement is all the more impressive given that Carlos saved the life of surfing companion Maya Gabeira minutes earlier.

Maya had almost drowned when she fell from her board and broke her ankle in the huge surf.

She was resuscitated on the beach and taken to hospital, leaving Carlos to dominate the enormous, record-breaking swell.

Onlookers say the wave caused by the St Jude's Storm in Nazare - a renowned Portugese surf spot - was 100ft tall.

There is some debate as to who hold the new record however, as British surfer Andrew Cotton, 34, was also surfing at the same time and conquered a similarly huge wave.


Carlos told Surfer Today after his incredible ride: 'It was luck. We never know when we will be catching the wave. I still hadn't surfed any wave and everyone had already had their rides.

'Maya almost died. For me, it was a big adrenaline moment to get back there after what happened.

'I’m good. Maya is good too. That’s the most important thing. It was a crazy day. I nearly lost my friend, Maya. It was terrible. I don’t think I’ve been so scared in my whole life. She has a broken ankle but she’s alive.'