• Chasing world's largest waves for chance at history

    Patricia De Melo Moreira / AFP - Getty Images

    Garrett McNamara rides a wave during a surf session at Praia do Norte in Nazare on Jan. 30. McNamara currently holds the world record for the biggest wave surfed after riding a 78-foot breaker in Nazare, Portugal, on Nov. 1, 2011 but on Jan. 28, 2013 was thought to have gone better at the same location.

    Patricia De Melo Moreira / AFP - Getty Images

    Garrett McNamara waits for a wave during a surf session at Praia do Norte in Nazare on Jan. 30.

    Hawaii's Garret McNamara may have broken his own world record by surfing this estimated 100-foot wave in Portugal. NBCNews.com's Dara Brown reports.

    By Natalia Jimenez, NBC News

    Not one to turn away from big waves, surfer Garrett McNamara went back to the shores of Nazare, Portugal, to continue his quest for the world’s largest wave. A day earlier, McNamara possibly set a new record for surfing an estimated 100-foot wave, but the exact size of the wave is yet to be officially confirmed. 

    PHOTO: Enormous wave dwarfs surfer Garrett McNamara along coast of Portugal

    "Personally, it was very challenging. You just have to stay in the moment, stay focused on what you're doing,” said McNamara to SurferToday.com.

    Below are photos of what may go down in history as the day McNamara surfed a 100-foot wave.

    Francisco Seco / AP

    Garrett McNamara rests after a surf session at Praia do Norte beach in Nazare, Portugal, on Jan. 29.

    Rafael Marchante / Reuters

    Big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara jokes with his colleague Kealli Mamala before a surf session at Praia do Norte in Nazare Jan. 29.

    Rafael Marchante / Reuters

    Big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara drops in on a large wave at Praia do Norte in Nazare on Jan. 29.

    Francisco Seco / AP

    Garrett McNamara meets media before a surf session in Nazare, Portugal, on Jan. 29.

    Rafael Marchante / Reuters

    Big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara looks at the sea with his colleague Kealli Mamala before a surf session at Praia do Norte in Nazare, on Jan. 29.

    Patricia De Melo Moreira / AFP - Getty Images

    Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara carries his surfboard as he leaves the beach after a surf session at Praia do Norte in Nazare on Jan. 29.

     

  • Tó Mané / Barcroft Media via Landov

    Enormous wave dwarfs surfer Garrett McNamara along coast of Portugal

    By Natalia Jimenez, NBC News

    Surfer Garrett McNamara catches what could be the largest wave ever surfed, off the coast of Nazare, Portugal, on Jan. 29. The estimated 100-foot wave, if confirmed, would beat the current world record of 78 feet, which McNamara has held since 2011. According to SurferToday.com:

    Garrett McNamara traveled from Hawaii and hit the water with Kealii Mamala - with whom he surfed waves generated by glacier blocks in Alaska - Kamaki Worthington and Hugo Vau, as their support team on the jet ski. The conditions in Nazaré were heavenly perfect. Light southern winds and strong swell coming from northwest and hitting the local canyon as it should.

    Judges with Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards will work to determine the actual size of the wave.

    VIDEO: McNamara rides massive wave in Portugal

    McNamara's surfing skills developed when his family moved to Hawaii from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, when he was 11 years old. As a professional big wave surfer, he regularly seeks out the largest waves in the world.

    "It's like riding a moving mountain," said McNamara to TODAY after he broke the last world record in 2011. Watch the video.

    See more photos of McNamara surfing the historic waves off the coast of Portugal.

  • Christophe Simon / AFP - Getty Images

    It appears John John Florence, of Hawaii, is running across the top of the water after missing a wave as he competes in the ASP World Championships at Barra da Tijuca beach in Rio de Janeiro on May 16. Florence ended up winning the competition.

    Rookie John John Florence surfs to victory at ASP Championships

    John John Florence, currently in his rookie year, won his first Association of Surfing Professionals' ASP World Championship event in Rio de Janeiro.

  • Surfer rides standing wave in icy German river

    Peter Kneffel / EPA

    A man surfs on the wave on the small man-made river Eisbach with snow and temperatures around freazing in the English Gardens in Munich, Germany on Thursday. The standing wave in the Eisbach is a favorite spot for daring water sports enthousiast the whole year round. 

    Peter Kneffel / EPA

    A wider view of the wave on the small man-made river Eisbach.

     The Eisbach has appeared previously in PhotoBlog, and according to Wikipedia has been modified by surfers to improve its shape.

  • World's best surfers shred big waves in New York

    Jonathan D. Woods / msnbc.com

    Reigning champion Kelly Slater surfs within the barrel of a wave as he competes in round 5, heat 2 of the Quiksilver Pro New York off Long Beach, N.Y., on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011.

    By Jonathan Woods, msnbc.com

    Sometimes you can have your cake and eat it too.

    At least that's what East Coast residents and the best surfers in the world should be saying as the Quiksilver Pro New York enters its final rounds on Friday.

    Though many events were curtailed by planners not wanting to further strain infrastructure weakened by Hurricane Irene, locals still made their way out to the beach to watch top talents compete on the beaches they frequent on weekends.

    Jonathan D. Woods / msnbc.com

    Thomas and Jessica Hetherington arrive at the Long Beach station on the Long Island Railroad to watch the Quiksilver Pro New York on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011. The couple lives in New York City, and is excited to have the tournament here. "It's great to get this close to the surfers. If this was basketball, you'd be right there on the court." Thomas, who lived on Oahu in Hawaii for six years, misses being this close to the pros that frequented surf meccas like the Banzai Pipeline.

    Jonathan D. Woods / msnbc.com

    Spectators crowd Long Beach on Long Island, N.Y., to watch surfers compete at the Quiksilver Pro New York off Long Beach, N.Y., on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011. Long Beach is roughly 5 miles east of the New York City limits in Far Rockaway, Queens.

    Spared the wrath of Hurricane Katia, but graced by the large waves pushed ashore in her safe passage over the Atlantic, the Association of Surfing Professionals' tournament is enjoying some of the best waves Long Island will see all season.

    Jonathan D. Woods / msnbc.com

    Reigning champion Kelly Slater surfs as he competes in round 5, heat 2 of the Quiksilver Pro New York off Long Beach, N.Y., on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011.

    A steady crescendo in the quality of surf and weather has helped increase crowd size as well. With a break in the rain, many of the competitors stopped to work the ropes, exchanging a few words and signing autographs.

    Jonathan D. Woods / msnbc.com

    Jeremy Flores signs autographs for fans after competing in round 5, heat 2 of the Quiksilver Pro New York off Long Beach, N.Y., on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011.

    The contest ends Friday, just after some of the best hurricane-driven waves are slated to crash ashore.

    Jonathan D. Woods / msnbc.com

    Spectators crowd Long Beach on Long Island, N.Y., to watch the surfers compete at the Quiksilver Pro New York off Long Beach, N.Y., on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011.

  • Matt Cardy / Getty Images

    A surfer rides a wave in the evening surf at Watergate Bay on July 14, 2011 near Newquay, England. With many state schools about to break for the summer holidays many resorts in Cornwall and the rest of the UK are hoping that the trend for 'stay'cations' and the good weather will continue.

    Surfing in England, but looks like Jeffreys Bay

    By Phaedra Singelis, NBC News

    When I came across this surfing picture, I thought it was from the competition being held this week in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, but to my surprise, it's in England.

    The top 34 surfers are competing in South Africa this week. More surfing news from the Association of Surfing Professionals.

  • Jose Cabezas / AFP - Getty Images

    A surfer jumps into the water in Punta Roca beach, in La Libertad, 30 km south of San Salvador, El Salvador on July 8. The beaches of La Libertad constitute a worldwide renowned surfing spot and one of the most important touristic places of El Salvador.

    A surfer jumps into the water in Punta Roca beach, El Salvador

    By Jim Seida

    Heaven.

  • Surfing group aims to help those with genetic disorders

    Jae C. Hong / AP

    Volunteer surf instructors cheer as 9-year-old Morgan Farrier, who has cystic fibrosis, stands up on a surfboard during the Mauli Ola Foundation's Cystic Fibrosis Surf Experience Day in Redondo Beach, Calif., Saturday, June 18.

    Jae C. Hong / AP

    Polly Montelone applies sunblock for her 9-year-old son Michael, who is diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, during the Mauli Ola Foundation's Cystic Fibrosis Surf Experience Day in Redondo Beach, Calif., Saturday, June 18.

    By Katie Cannon, Senior Multimedia Editor

    This must be a welcome relief from doctors' offices and clearly provides so much joy to both teachers and students.

    The Mauli Ola Foundation uses surfing as a natural treatment to those with genetic disorders. The foundation has focused on cystic fibrosis since 2007 but plans to grow is program in 2011 to help those with cancer and alpha 1 antitypsin. Check out a schedule of future Mauli Ola events here.

  • John Donegan / Getty Images

    Surfers return to the seas at Bronte beach as sea conditions return to normal following days of high tides, on May 27, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. Sea conditions were reported as clean with swells of 1-3 ft this morning after several days of high tides and strong winds, encouraging Sydney's surfers back to the water.

    Surfers return to the sea as high tides normalise in Sydney

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