The record breaking Irish Americansurfer Garrett McNamara took on the “world’s biggest wave” off the coast of Portugal, at Nazare.

The stuff of legends, McNamara (45) rode the wall of water to shore as bystanders and video crews stood by in amazement. The Massachusetts surfer is believed to have broken his own record as well as world records by riding the 100-foot wave.

Speaking to SurferToday.com he said, “Personally, it was very challenging.

“You just have to stay in the moment, stay focused on what you're doing. We're really comfortable here, but some of those waves ..."

He told the press that he had “no idea” about the size of the wave and thought that his partner Kealii Mamala could have beaten his record.

However, he said, “It definitely took longer but I can't say if it was bigger.”

In 2011 McNamara rode a 78-foot high break wave.

Born in Pittsfield, MA, McNamara’s family moved to Hawaii’s north shore when he was 11 years old. He followed in his big brother, Liam’s, footsteps and hit the waves.

Read more: Irish-American cheats death surfing world record wave – VIDEOS

By the age of 17 he was competing professionally on the circuit with his brother.

When McNamara’s record breaking feat in 2011 was confirmed he was quoted saying, “It’s amazing we get to do what we do, I am so grateful.

“I didn’t want to get caught up in it all, but I have to tell you the truth, when they announced my name I got a bigger rush than probably on all the waves I rode this year.”

Although his 2013 world record has yet to be confirmed it’s believed he’s beaten his own 2011 record.

The surfing experts and event organisers were unable to say definitively whether he had broken the world record but praise him for tackling the giant waves.

The 2012 Association of Surfing Professional World Tour champion Joel Parkinson said, "If this is real it's off the charts."

The Guinness World Records is now working with big wave surfing experts Billabong XXL to verify the exact size of the wave McNamara rode.

They told the Daily Telegraph, “Once the evidence has been reviewed and the height of the wave confirmed by Billabong XXL, then Guinness World Records will be able to confirm whether Garrett McNamara has broken his current record.”

PREVIOUS RECORD RIDERS


1. Garrett McNamara, 78 ft wave - Nazaré, Portugal in November 2011
2. Mark Parsons, 77ft wave - Cortes Bank, California in January 2008
3. Pete Cabrinha, 70ft wave - Jaws Beach, Maui in January 2004
4. Brag Gerlach, 68 ft wave - Todos Santos, Mexico in December 2005