Rodrigo Koxa riding the biggest wave ever surfed, on 8 Nov 2017, off the coast of Nazaré, Portugal

© Pedro Cruz/AP Phot

Monster waves return. Big wave hunters watch Nazaré

Today's image captures Brazilian surfer Rodrigo Koxa in action, surfing a record 80ft wave off the coast of Nazaré, Portugal. Nazaré began attracting surfers in the 1960s and has become a major destination for men and women who want to surf some of the world's biggest waves. Nazaré's Praia do Norte (North Beach) is the site of the two most recent records for the largest wave ever surfed. The previous record was set by American Garrett McNamara on 1 November 2011, when he rode a 78ft wave here. Then, on 8 November 2017, Koxa set a new record with this ride.

Big wave surfers have to be towed into place first, usually by a Jet Ski or a helicopter. This time of year is big wave season and surfers from around the world arrive in this seaside town with their support teams. Together they wait, anxiously, for the best conditions, hoping to test their skills on some monster waves and add their names to the record books.