November 2010, Nazare, Portugal.

A small group of surfers and locals gather on the cliffs of Nazaré, Portugal. Their goal is to attempt something never done before — to surf the giant, unpredictable waves at Praia do Norte.

This is Irish big wave surfer Al Mennie's firsthand account of those early days, when the legendary wave of Nazaré was first revealed to the world.

Approx. 4,900 words — a 20–25 minute read.

Part of the Tales on the High Seas series by Al Mennie.