Jason Polakow: high and dry

If you're a windsurfer and don't know Jason Polakow, it's time to learn fast. Discover the Australian's five magic waves.

Jason Polakow is "the" wave windsurfer. And it's all said. He has survived the most extreme maritime conditions, the heaviest waves, and the strongest winds.

But what are his favorite breaks?

"The northwest coast of Australia has tons of incredible waves, and with the right resources - a proper off-road vehicle - you can get some incredible rides," explains Polakow.

And the second wave in Australia from the video?

"I can't say exactly where that is - but it's comparable to Teahupoo. A dredging, hollow, left-hand barrel!"

Tahitian Tattoos

Jason Polakow also explained why Teahupoo is one of the nastiest waves on the planet.

"It's the shallowness of the reef. It's so easy to bounce off the bottom, and the coral is super sharp. Land the wrong way, and you could peel all the skin off your face."

Such injuries are known in the surfing world as "Tahitian tattoos."

But of course, there's always the ultimate wave, sitting just up the shore from Jason's Maui home: Jaws or Peahi.

Here, he suffered an infamous three-wave hold-down back in 2011.

Finally, let's not forget he has plans for more explorations.

Cortes Bank, off the coast of San Diego, and Pedra Branca, off of Tasmania. Will Polakow be the first windsurfer to do it?

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