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Laura Crane’s Nazaré Ride Under Review for Potential Women’s Big‑Wave Record

Officials are measuring the wave against the women’s 73.5 ft benchmark using technical analysis that can take months.

Overview

  • Crane, 30, caught the giant wall of water at the Nazaré Big Wave Challenge after a technical fault paused the event and most surfers left the water.
  • Teammate Antonio Laureano towed her into the wave by jet ski at roughly 30 mph before she completed the ride and was retrieved safely.
  • Big Wave Challenge judges, working with Guinness World Records, have opened a formal verification process based on photo and video evidence.
  • The surfer shared footage on Instagram, and on-site photographers and Crane believe the wave could surpass Maya Gabeira’s 73.5 ft record set at Nazaré in 2020.
  • The attempt caps a comeback year for Crane, who became the first British woman to surf Nazaré in 2024 and returned this winter after breaking her ankle during training.