Everyone loves a good wipeout. Chances are, you’ve never had one even remotely close to the ones here, but that doesn’t mean you can’t imagine it. You know that wave that you went over the falls on? The one that gave you enough time to think “huh, I’m weightless” before slamming you into the dark? Yeah, you do. That’s why it’s great to watch these. Your own experience translates (loosely) into theirs.
1. Nicollo Porcella, Teahupoo. July 22, 2015
This was a swell for the ages. When Tahiti’s famed skull cruncher turned on in late July, it really, really turned on. Nicollo Porcella turned on, too. Just one of many wipeouts from the day, Nicollo’s lip-encasement to reef smash was one of the worst wipeouts ever.
2. Pedro Calado, Puerto Escondido.
This has been a huge year for Puerto. Massive storms swamped the town and brought waves of nearly unimaginable size to the Mexican Pipeline. Nearly every great big wave surfer was on hand to partake in the carnage, but sometimes there’s just no avoiding it. After scratching desperately for the top of a Puerto bomb, Calado came up just shy… and man oh man, is it entertaining.
3. Niccolo Porcella, Teahupoo. July 22, 2015
Same day, different wave. Porcella charged harder than anyone in the lineup that day, and he took some serious lumps. After barely making his way out of an absolute cavern, the Italian hellman loses it right at the end.
4. Justin Holland, Cow Bombie. June 27, 2015.
Cow Bombie is a massive wave. This one is being called the biggest wave ever paddled into in Australia, but Justin Holland didn’t exactly get the longest ride. After making a drop to end all drops, the weight of the ocean falls on Holland’s shoulders, and he couldn’t hold it up.
5. Cristian Merello, El Buey. August 9, 2015.
One of Chile’s finest big wave surfers, Cristian Merello, showed up at the famed El Buey in Arica for a big day. In slow motion, Merello tips over, fails to penetrate and skips down the face like a pebble on a pond.
