Surfing's elite came out in force today to take on the enormous waves  at Praia do Norte in Nazare, Portugal. The weather forecast predicted three days of solid swells off the coast of the small fishing village, with readings as high as 41 feet on the first day. Nazare is where US surfer Garrett McNamara, one of many in attendance on December 11, set the world record of having surfed the largest wave - 30 metres - in January 2013. The massive waves are caused, in large part, by the region's geography - off the Praia do Norte coastline is the biggest underwater ravine in Europe, called Nazare Canyon. The huge canyon runs 125 miles, from out in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean to less than half a mile from the coastline. Praia do Norte is also among one of the most westerly points in all of Europe, meaning that the wind, along with the ocean swell caused by the canyon, sweeps across the Atlantic unhindered, adding even more fuel to the gigantic wave potential. Surfing's big wave elite came out to try their luck at Praia do Norte in Nazare, Portugal on December 11. Pictured: an unidentified surfer . As a surfer races along the swell, the powerful crashing water threatens to engulf him . US champion surfer, Garrett McNamara, pictured here, set the world-record for largest wave ever ridden in January 2013 . Spectators and photographers alike attempt to get a glimpse of the surfers through the gigantic cloud-like waves . Praia do Norte is also among one of the most westerly points in all of Europe, meaning the wind sweeps across the Atlantic unhindered . A crowd of spectators gathered to watch the athletes take on the enormous waves . Surfers are towed out to the wave by jet-skis before attempting to stay afloat as the walls of water come crashing down . American surfer, 47-year-old Garrett McNamara, prepares himself to take on the crashing waves at Praia do Norte . Garrett performs several stretches before heading out on his a jet-ski toward his launch-off point . McNamara helps fellow surfer, Australia's Ross Clark Jones, fasten his life preserver over his wetsuit before heading out . US surfer Garrett McNamara shows off his skills, riding a giant wave atop the largest underwater ravine in Europe . Spectators perch on ledges of a dock, jutting out into the ocean, for the best glimpse at the high-octane sport's finest . An unidentified surfer emerges from the gigantic white waves while spectators cheer him on from the shore .
World class pro surfers visited Praia do Norte in Nazare, Portugal, today,  to ride the gigantic waves .
Nazare is where US surfer, Garrett McNamara, set the world record of largest wave surfed at 30 metres .
Massive walls of water are caused by the region's geography and the the underwater ravine along the coast .
Surfing's elite came out in force today to take on the enormous waves  at Praia do Norte in Nazare, Portugal. The weather forecast predicted three days of solid swells off the coast of the small fishing village, with readings as high as 41 feet on the first day. Nazare is where US surfer Garrett McNamara, one of many in attendance on December 11, set the world record of having surfed the largest wave - 30 metres - in January 2013. The massive waves are caused, in large part, by the region's geography - off the Praia do Norte coastline is the biggest underwater ravine in Europe, called Nazare Canyon. The huge canyon runs 125 miles, from out in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean to less than half a mile from the coastline. Praia do Norte is also among one of the most westerly points in all of Europe, meaning that the wind, along with the ocean swell caused by the canyon, sweeps across the Atlantic unhindered, adding even more fuel to the gigantic wave potential. Surfing's big wave elite came out to try their luck at Praia do Norte in Nazare, Portugal on December 11. Pictured: an unidentified surfer . As a surfer races along the swell, the powerful crashing water threatens to engulf him . US champion surfer, Garrett McNamara, pictured here, set the world-record for largest wave ever ridden in January 2013 . Spectators and photographers alike attempt to get a glimpse of the surfers through the gigantic cloud-like waves . Praia do Norte is also among one of the most westerly points in all of Europe, meaning the wind sweeps across the Atlantic unhindered . A crowd of spectators gathered to watch the athletes take on the enormous waves . Surfers are towed out to the wave by jet-skis before attempting to stay afloat as the walls of water come crashing down . American surfer, 47-year-old Garrett McNamara, prepares himself to take on the crashing waves at Praia do Norte . Garrett performs several stretches before heading out on his a jet-ski toward his launch-off point . McNamara helps fellow surfer, Australia's Ross Clark Jones, fasten his life preserver over his wetsuit before heading out . US surfer Garrett McNamara shows off his skills, riding a giant wave atop the largest underwater ravine in Europe . Spectators perch on ledges of a dock, jutting out into the ocean, for the best glimpse at the high-octane sport's finest . An unidentified surfer emerges from the gigantic white waves while spectators cheer him on from the shore .
the enormous waves  at Praia do Norte in Nazare, on the first day. Nazare is where US surfer December 11, set the world record of having surfed the largest wave - 30 metres - in January part, by the region's geography - off the Praia a glimpse of the surfers through the gigantic 47-year-old Garrett McNamara, prepares himself to wave atop the largest underwater ravine in Europe