Surfers may have a reputation for being chill people, but big-wave surfing is one of the most dangerous sports on the planet. For true big-wave surfers, the glory of riding a tsunami is a rush worth dying for.
Wiping out on a 20-foot-plus wave can push surfers as far as 50 feet below the surface of the water. After regaining composure and figuring out which way is up, they have less than 20 seconds to get to the surface before the next monster wave comes crashing down.
Brazil’s Rodrigo Koxa received the legendary award for surfing the largest wave ever recorded on Saturday, April 28, at the World Surf League’s Big Wave Awards in Santa Monica, California. A wave he caught last November off Nazaré, Portugal, on the Atlantic coast between Lisbon and Porto was 80 feet high.
Koxa’s ride beat the previous record of 78 feet set by American Garrett McNamara, also at Nazaré, in 2011.
So how are these waves measured? According to Surfer magazine, it’s based on the height of the surfer.
“It starts with a handful of big-wave statesmen and experts gathering in a room in Huntington Beach, [Calif.], discussing each of the nominated rides at length, and then busting out the trusty ol’ ruler and calipers. Using oversized images of the waves, and the known heights of each surfer, they estimate the [surfer’s] crouching height in the moment the photo was taken, creating a scale that they can then use to determine the overall height of the wave, from trough to lip. And then, bingo — you’se got a reasonably accurate measurement on a monster wave.”
For Koxa, his incredible feat wasn’t just about having the courage to confront the wave — it was also about overcoming a near-death experience he’d endured years earlier.
“I try to surf big waves all my life and I had a huge experience in 2014 where I almost died at Nazaré,” Koxa said at the ceremony. “Four months later, I had bad dreams, I didn’t travel, I got scared, and my wife helped me psychologically. Now, I’m just so happy and this is the best day of my life.”
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.