Jason Polakow has become the first windsurfer to ride the big wave of Nazaré in Portugal.
The Australian wave sailor has finally fulfilled his longtime dream of riding a windsurf board on the monstrous liquid cliffs of Praia do Norte, the spot usually reserved for surfing, bodyboarding and, more recently, skimboarding.
Polakow rode 43-foot waves (13 meters) after carefully studying and preparing for the adventure in the last 12 months.
"I've surfed all the big waves around the world, and I must say that for me, Nazaré has been the most difficult and challenging," explained Jason Polakow.
"The waves are coming from many different angles at the same time, making it extremely difficult to judge and be safe."
"Water safety was my main concern, so having the two most experienced surfers - Andrew Cotton and Hugo Vau - taking care of me and George Leal communicating with the water safety crew, I was feeling confident."
A Big Wave Windsurfer
He Wants More
Polakow is arguably the best big wave windsurfer on planet Earth right now.
The 44-year-old veteran has already sailed in Teahupoo, Cloudbreak, and he is a well-known face in the Jaws lineup.
At Praia do Norte, the conditions were not perfect. JP sailed in light starboard tack winds and slightly choppy wave faces.
"The session we had was a great start for me in Nazaré, as I caught some huge waves. I've had a difficult but exciting adrenalized time out there, and it's for sure one of the highlights of my career!"
Polakow also tasted the power of the Nazaré wipeout, and his equipment had a close encounter with the nearby rocks.
But that won't stop him from setting the bar higher. JP wants a record. He wants to beat the 60-foot mark set in Maui.
"For the longest time, I thought Jaws was the epitome of big wave windsurfing, but Nazaré definitely holds the key to producing the biggest waves in the world."
"My goal is to come back here on a gigantic swell. We can definitely break that record right out here at Praia do Norte on the next big one."
Jason Polakow was born in Torquay, Australia. He has been a familiar face in the PWA World Tour since 1990.
Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com