World Record for riding '78 ft wave'

Surfer Greg McNamara broke the Guiness World Record for surfing a 78-foot wave Credit: Reuters

Garrett McNamara has become a Guinness World Record holder for surfing a 78-foot wave in Portugal last year.

The feat will be listed as the largest wave ever ridden, taking the title from the previous record holder Mike Parsons.

The Hawaiian 44-year-old managed to surf the mammoth wave last November at Nazaré, Portugal, an achievement that has now been ratified by Guinness World Records after examining evidence.

Speaking about his record, McNamara said:

His epic ride, which required him to be towed into the wave from a jetski, beats the previous record by more than a foot.

Describing the record breaking wave ride, Garrett said: