The Quest for the World Record: A Big-Wave Surfer’s Journey
A Record-Breaking Ride
As a friend on a jet ski towed Alo Slebir into a towering gray monster of a wave near Half Moon Bay on Christmas Eve, the Santa Cruz surfer had no idea he might be riding into the record books.
The Challenge of Measuring the Unmeasurable
But a jaw-dropping photo of Slebir’s relatively tiny form racing down a collapsing mountain of ice-cold Pacific Ocean water has gone viral, with knowledgeable big-wave surfers around the globe speculating that the wave was over 100 feet tall and that Slebir, at 23, has set a world record.
The Complexity of Photogrammetry
But did he? For all of their ferocity, big waves are among the most ephemeral phenomena in all of sports — they’re almost impossible to precisely rank. Bill Sharp, who has spent decades orchestrating the world’s most rigorous big wave surfing awards, explains that anointing a new world record holder isn’t like handing someone a gold medal after winning an Olympic event. It’s more like "naming a new pope."
The Science of Measuring Waves
Sharp and his team use photogrammetry to calculate the size of the wave. This process starts by knowing the size of the surfer in the photo and then carefully extrapolating the size of the wave based on how much bigger it is than the surfer. For example, if the person is 6 feet tall and the wave is 10 times their size, it’s a 60-foot wave.
The Problem of Biases and Perspectives
But, as Sharp notes, "You can’t just take somebody’s word about how tall — or, in this case, how short — they are when a potential world record is on the line." Sharp has a system where he measures the surfer in a variety of stances to try to get an accurate measurement. "I have this system where there’s this grid, an inch-by-inch grid, and it goes on a wall behind them." He then shoots video with a camera set up far enough away to eliminate any optical illusions.
The Controversy and Turf Wars
The question of who gets to claim the record can be contentious. Sharp notes that the process is "like naming a new pope" and that "someone always feels ripped off." The surf community is known for its passion and rivalry, and the desire to claim the record can be intense. The current world record was set in Nazaré in 2022 when a German named Sebastian Steudtner rode a wave later calculated to have been 86 feet high.
The Future of Big-Wave Surfing
For now, all they can do is wait. The next conclave meets in September, and with nine months to go, Sharp said, anything could happen. For Slebir, he’s just happy to have ridden the biggest wave of his life and will let others decide what size it was. As he notes, "How many 100-foot waves have been ridden, but not documented?"
Conclusion
The quest for the world record in big-wave surfing is a complex and contentious one. With the use of photogrammetry and careful measurement, Sharp and his team strive to accurately calculate the size of the wave. However, the process is not without its challenges and biases, and the desire to claim the record can be intense. For now, the world waits with bated breath to see if Alo Slebir’s ride will be declared the new world record.
FAQs
Q: How does one measure the size of a big wave?
A: Using photogrammetry, which involves knowing the size of the surfer in the photo and extrapolating the size of the wave based on how much bigger it is than the surfer.
Q: How accurate is this method?
A: The method is not without its limitations, as it can be affected by biases and perspectives.
Q: What is the current world record in big-wave surfing?
A: The current world record was set in Nazaré in 2022 when a German named Sebastian Steudtner rode a wave later calculated to have been 86 feet high.
Q: What is the process for declaring a new world record?
A: The process involves a conclave of experts who review the evidence and make a decision. The next conclave meets in September.
