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As inexact a science as measuring the height of ocean waves is, a handful of inches can determine whether a record has been broken. For big-wave surfer Rodrigo Koxa, just 24 inches made a world of difference…

LARGEST WAVE SURFED

On November 8, 2017, Koxa surfed a monster wave the coast of Nazaré, Portugal, that was officially measured at 80 feet in height (24.38 m). The 38-year-old Brazilian is now the official Guinness World Records title holder for the Largest Wave Surfed (Unlimited).

Rodrigo Koxa rides record 80-foot big wave at Nazaré, Portugal

For his hair-raising ride, Koza was awarded the Quiksilver XXL Biggest Wave award by the World Surf League (WSL) at an event in California, US, on April 28, 2018.

PREVIOUS BIG-WAVE RECORD

The previous record was also set at Nazaré. In November 2011, American Garrett McNamara managed to surf a mammoth 78-foot wave after being towed in by his jet-ski partner, Andrew Cotton.