Braving Ireland’s monstrous big waves

Video by ABC News In-depth

When you think of big wave surfing, locations like Waimea Bay in Hawaii, Nazare in Portugal or Teahupo’o in Tahiti might come to mind.  Very few people would think of Ireland as one of the world's hottest surfing destinations, let alone the sleepy seaside town of Mullaghmore.

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But in the depths of the Irish winter adventurous surfers from around the globe descend on this little village, braving the freezing North Atlantic swells to take on waves as big as multi-story buildings.

On Foreign Correspondent reporter Sean Murphy goes on a quest to capture the breathtaking and unique world of Irish surfing.  In the birthplace of his parents, Sean meets the locals who have put Mullaghmore on the world surfing map as well as many of the biggest names in the sport who arrive to do battle with Ireland’s monster waves. 

Biggest Waves on Earth | Nazaré Portugal Ocean Therapy | Melodic Deep House

This 2 hour film follows the pursuit of the world’s largest waves at Nazaré, where deep Atlantic swells rise and transform into towering walls of water. The camera moves above the coastline as each set builds across the horizon and breaks with force against the shore. There is a sense of anticipation in every moment, as conditions shift and the ocean reveals its scale. These waves are rare and unpredictable, shaped by depth, timing, and energy beneath the surface. The aerial perspective captures both the power and the pattern, where motion repeats yet never feels the same. Melodic deep house flows beneath the imagery, steady and atmospheric, allowing the movement of water and light to guide the experience.

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*Huge Waves* Destroys surfers at Pipe!

Massive Third Reef set Destroys surfers at Pipe! *Huge Waves*

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This day the waves were no joke on the north shore! Comment below if you would paddle out on a day like this!

I quit big wave surfing | Izzi Gomez

In Red Bull's surf documentary, Chrysalis, we follow Izzi Gomez as she steps away from big wave surfing in 2023 and watches her journey unfold as she seeks to rediscover what drew her to the ocean in the first place.

Between sessions at local breaks with friends, trips to Mexico and British Columbia, and the support of loved ones like Kai Lenny, Ian Walsh, and Ridge Lenny, Izzi gradually rediscovers the joy, freedom, and sense of community that made her fall in love with the ocean.

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Along the way, she faces an injury sustained at Mavericks, regains her confidence, and once again tackles some of the world's most challenging waves, including jaw-dropping ones.

Follow this personal journey of growth and rediscovery, which ultimately leads to an unexpected opportunity: a last-minute trip to Teahupo'o, Tahiti, where Izzi catches the wave of her life.

KINGDOM OF THE EVENING (FULL MOVIE)

In 2010, young adventurer Kepa Acero traveled alone to Western Africa in search of empty waves. In Morocco, he met a 15-year-old kid named Yassine. Though they barely spoke the same language, they shared waves, tajines, and an unspoken connection. Then, Kepa continued south, and they never saw each other again.

Today, Yassine is known as Snoopy Style—a professional surf guide and local legend in Taghazout. Fifteen years later, Kepa and Snoopy will meet again for the first time. But life has changed—just like Morocco. The dusty fishing village has transformed: boutique hotels line the shore, and Anchor Point is packed with digital nomads chasing Wi-Fi and waves.

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Together, with filmmaker Ayoub Abouizza, they embark on a journey to find what once was—empty line-ups, pure stoke, and that elusive feeling of freedom. But things don’t go as planned… The dream they’re chasing may not exist anymore…

One thing will never change: hope. Even with all the changes, they still believe that somewhere belong this coast, there is a wave just waiting. Empty and perfect. Undiscovered. Or at least, that the story they keep telling themselves. 

Satori | Award-Winning Big Wave Surf Documentary | Cape Town's Giant Waves

What does it take to face one of the world's most powerful waves?

Satori follows a close-knit group of big wave surfers who have devoted their lives to the ocean, pushing their limits along the dramatic coastline of Cape Town, South Africa. Their journey takes them to two legendary surf breaks: Dungeons, beneath Sentinel Mountain in Hout Bay, and Sunset Reef, located over a kilometer offshore near the seaside village of Kommetjie.

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Named after the Zen concept of a sudden awakening, Satori explores the moment when fear gives way to complete presence. Through breathtaking cinematography and personal stories, the film reveals how these surfers find purpose, courage, and a profound connection with the ocean while riding some of the biggest waves on Earth.

WHY a Rip Current is DANGEROUS: Because the Calmest Water on the Beach is Setting a Trap for You

The calmest water on a beach can be the deadliest. In this episode, we uncover why rip currents are so dangerous: they often appear as quiet, smooth gaps between breaking waves, yet they can move faster than even elite swimmers. This science documentary explains how rip currents form, why they do not pull you under, and why panic—not the current itself—is what turns a survivable situation into a fatal one. Through real cases, beach safety data, and clear survival advice, you’ll learn how to spot rip currents before entering the water, what to do if caught, and why floating may save your life. Before your next beach trip, understand the hidden trap hiding in calm water.

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01:08 THE SETUP 02:29 THE MECHANISM 06:32 THE EVIDENCE 09:24 THE TWIST 11:33 THE SCALE 16:23 THE CLOSE

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Archipelago | Featuring Hayden Cervi

We set out across the Indonesian archipelago in search of perfect waves. But as the swell shifted, so did our plans. We followed it north, spending countless hours on planes, boats, cars, and scooters. Every change in direction brought us exactly where we needed to be.

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How a surf trip CHANGED my life

Video by Meek Surf.

Everything happens for a reason.

Meek Surf embarks on a maiden sailboat voyage through remote parts of Panama to overcome persistent injuries and find better waves. While navigating boat challenges and physical limitations, the journey becomes a test of patience and perspective during an extended stay in Central America.

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