big-wave Archives - New Zealand Surf Journal

A Fickle Beast Awakens

Derek MorrisonMay 16, 2022May 17, 20220

This was the scenario: There’s a 50-50 chance a marginal swell forecast might be enough to lure a fickle reef break to life. It’s a hell man slab that few can really do justice to. Do you roll the dice? We did (but one of us paid the price). I...

Inside The Swell Of The Year … So Far

Derek MorrisonApr 16, 20210

The Southern Ocean is choked with swell energy right now, but it was an early season long-period pulse that turned the Southern reefs inside out. Dave Lyons managed to document one of the best sessions to take place in the south east corner of our country … so far. Dave...

Maya Gabeira Wins Big Wave Awards With Guinness World Record Ride

Derek MorrisonSep 11, 2020September 11, 20200

Maya Gabeira sets a new Guinness World Record for the largest wave ever surfed by a female as she wins XXL Biggest Wave Award. Gabeira’s record-setting wave measured 73.5 feet, besting her own previous World Record of 68 feet. She broke the record at the infamous big-wave surf break, Praia...

Monster Storm Gives Nazaré Challenge The Green Light

Derek MorrisonFeb 11, 2020July 2, 20200

Monster northern hemisphere storm gives Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge the green light as new teams format is unveiled amid whispers that a new Guinness World Record could potentially be set on Tuesday (GMT). The World Surf League Big Wave Tour issued a Green Alert on Sunday (NZST) for the Nazaré...

Chasing Giants: Hunting The 23.8m Swell That Broke Records

Derek MorrisonMay 13, 20190

A group of Southern surfers chase a record-breaking swell as it lines up a remote reef break buried deep in the Catlins. What transpires has it all: blood, guts, an inhospitable peak and the rise of a new talent in big-wave surfing. New Zealand Surf Journal takes you inside one...

The Reef: Riding A Once In A Blue Moon Swell

Derek MorrisonFeb 15, 20190

I’d been tracking it from a week out and it played the notes of the forecast with precision. For big wave surfing this was a classic: its deep fetch straight off the western edge of Antarctica, landing an almost direct hit on the southeast corner of New Zealand. Then, sometime...