Finisterre's first ambassador, Carlos Burle, is considered the greatest Brazilian big wave surfer of all time.

A student of both paddle and tow-in surfing disciplines, Carlos has established himself as one of the most formidable

opponents withinthe big wave arena. In 1998, against the most talented surfers in the world, this dark horse from

Brazil won the Todos Santos World Championship event in Mexico, bringing seeded competitors such as Peter Mel,

Ross Clarke Jones and Brock Little to their knees. The wave Carlos paddled into to win this event was deemed the

largest wave ever surfed at the time.

The wave pictured above was taken in Ireland on the Finisterre 'SURFING’S COLD WATER FRONTIERS' mission. 

On his Beach Beat Surfboard 7'2" Big Gun Carlos dropped into some heeeeeving waves and he described this wave as

being as heavy as Teahupoo for the size of waves. You can see how square the bottom of the wave is about to go.

Carlos usual Beach Beat quiver: 7'2" Big Gun, 8'2" Big Gun

Photo: Al Mackinnon