Double Trouble - Big Wave & Dramatic Aftermath Sequence

Action starts with Portuguese Professional Big Wave Surfer Alex Botelho paddling into a huge wave in Nazaré, Portugal, during the infamous session of February 16, 2018, which was one of the last Big Wave sessions of a long Winter Season in Praia do Norte.
As Alex attempts to drop a huge wave, he falls off his board in a nasty wipeout, takes a ton of water on his head and loses his surfboard in the process. He manages to come to the surface quickly, but the next wave is already approaching, making it impossible for his team mate and professional Big Wave Surfer Hugo Vau, on the jetski, to pick him up. Alex now has to duck dive this huge wall of water before a rescue attempt is possible.
After the two first waves, Hugo Vau is finally able to rescue Alex with the jetski, and they now rush to the inside zone of Praia do Norte to find Alex’s surfboard. They need it before they can go back to the outside to catch more waves.
The Inside area of Praia do Norte is the most dangerous spot on the beach: waves can be unpredictable and terribly thick, the foamy white water makes it very difficult to manoeuvre the jet skis, and that's where most accidents happen.
When they finally find the surfboard, a rogue wave capsizes the jetski and both Hugo and Alex get dragged in different directions. Hugo finds himself relatively near the jet ski and tries to regain control as fast as he can, another huge wave approaches, and Hugo makes a decision that may have saved his life: he aborts the attempt to jump on the jetski and dives as deep as he can. A wise decision because the next wave breaks directly on top of the jetski and he most probably wouldn’t have survived the impact.
The action continues in the Inside, where Alex tries to regain control of the jet ski and once again things get complicated. At the end, the jetski gets to the sand, and both Hugo and Alex manage to get to dry land, unharmed. Against all odds, the jetski also ends with minor damages.
Praia do Norte is incredibly dangerous at any size. The day this action took place was not the biggest of the season, yet, things can get really threatening, even with the most experienced watermen involved.
Hugo Vau and Alex Botelho are no strangers to Nazaré, they are among the most skilled watermen in the world with many years of experience in Praia do Norte.
Hugo Vau, 40 years old, is one of the first pioneers of Big Wave Surfing in Nazaré. He’s been part of Garrett McNamara’s team since the beginning of Nazaré's first explorations back in 2010. Hugo has been nominated for the WSL Biggest Wave Award several times, and has under his belt some of the biggest waves ever ridden on this beach.
Alex Botelho, 27 years old, is currently the only Portuguese running on the WSL Big Wave Tour, amongst an elite crew that includes the best and most respected big wave surfers worldwide. Recently, Alex has been a standout among the Big Wave international scene, he has successfully paddled some of the most critical waves of the season, across all Continents.
Praia do Norte beach, near the fishing village of Nazaré, has become famous worldwide for huge waves in 2011, when Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara set a world-record for the largest wave ever surfed: 24 meters (78-foot).
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Copyright © 2018, Máquina Voadora, all rights reserved
Filmed and Edited by: Máquina Voadora
Featured Surfers: Alex Botelho & Hugo Vau
Music: “God of War" by NCM Ender Guney ( • Video )
Location: Praia do Norte, Nazaré - Portugal
“Máquina Voadora - Produções” is a Drone Production team based in Portugal and specialised in Surf/Action Footage for the Advertising Industry, Sports Productions, News and Feature Documentaries.
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The footage in this video is protected by copyright. To use or obtain a licence for the footage on this video for news articles, social networks, editorial pieces, TV broadcast or in a commercial player, please first Contact us directly or our Agent's Desk [phone].
www.maquinavoadora.com
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@maquinavoadora on Instagram
** Unauthorised Usage of this Footage will be Detected and Legally Prosecuted **

[@leott4361]

I like their companion, who walks towards them at the beach: relaxed, stretching, putting on his wetsuit, like this event was an everyday occurence. Chilled!

[@mhkuntug]

Ikr

[@Simpleburger1968]

Ha ! yes, he was like " allright mate , how's it goin' ?

[@RogerDiotte]

@@Simpleburger1968 Yea...how's it going...take me to the right a little after I have a smoke k.

[@rickymarino1208]

Yeah he was like "hey can u zip me up" #zerofksgiven

[@DailyDoseOfInternet]

Thank you!

[@gdplayer1004]

Daily Dose Of Internet HI!!! :D

[@gdplayer1004]

Millie ray 😊 hi!

[@bengeary4740]

Daily Dose Of Internet eyy

[@snugglyhedgehog]

HII

[@Jacob-dy7xy]

Daily Dose Of Internet this is a coincidence because I go to your videos and you made a video about this and I never saw your channel before also nice channel!!!! 😀😂😀😂😂

[@JackManleyTV]

My jaw dropped. So amazing

[@Tyrant369]

The Man himself

[@marinacam2755]

I would've been kissing that sand at the end!!

[@Sleepy_Joe_]

pussy

[@PigeonFlare]

ok donald

[@edgarmalveiro5315]

@@Sleepy_Joe_ Your mother's...

[@shlominaamat4787]

I dont think u would have got that sand...

[@gabrielelinger3847]

yes, me too

[@greatbriton8425]

As a 58 year old surfer I can only say how impressed I am by their split-second decision making on a continuous basis! So many opportunities to seriously fail were avoided!

[@TomJoeSHOW]

This is incredible footage, the power of the sea is truly a force to fear. Glad no-one got hurt.

[@Joey-bv5fk]

TomJoeSHOW spoiler alert

[@BirdPlan]

It's really mind blowing to think that all that violence is taking place just a few feet from shore. It's crazy to think about because one second they were in a life and death struggle and then a few moments later a wave pushed them both to shore. It's crazy that a mere 100 yds can be the difference between being pounded by a wave that weighs as much as 10 boeing 747's or pounded by a little baby wave that you can sit and play in with a kid. I have so much respect for surfers because you really have to have balls of steel. Great fucking video mate

[@maquinavoadora4090]

Thanks so much for your comment Bird Plan ;) We agree, the raw power of the Ocean, helps us to put things in perspective sometimes.

[@Elsuper68]

Lucky them ..

[@thetalkingelement]

Respect the ocean. But even at that beach, that’s no wash to have a kid play in

[@letstravel8851]

Bird Plan go And Check my page

[@yachinyphotography]

Bird Plan when I was younger I was in Lebanon as a special forces, one morning when we returned to base I heard a wooshing sound , it was the sound of 55" caliber machine gun and the bombing came right after. I took cover and Ren to the machine gun to fire back, the moment I was out ,a bomb exploded exactly where I was a minute ago,.not 100 yards only a few meters was the difference. so that is life my friend.

[@bethroesch2156]

I am beyond impressed by ANYONE crazy enough to attempt to ride such wicked waves. It's a miracle no one was seriously injured.

[@charliebecker4417]

Beth Roesch These waves are worthless, all closing out, just a giant washing machine. Why are they even out there? All the compliments to them in comments. Ridiculous. Great video, congrats to the Recording of the three stooges trying to surf under impossible conditions.

[@alexgardiner6361]

@Charlie Becker You're an idiot

[@charliebecker4417]

Alex Gardiner I guess you surf that white wash too! Dumb ass

[@frankedmund1229]

Charlie Becker Actually your the fucking moron cause clearly your one of those ignorant fools who doesn’t understand the power of the ocean , how about you go out their and be in this dudes position , oh wait you’d be dead

[@charliebecker4417]

frank edmund no actually your showing your ass right now. I do appreciate the power of the ocean that's exactly why I said they shouldn't be riding those waves because they are closing out. They are not worth the risk to be out there. You don't even understand what I'm saying so f-off.

[@8MoonsOfJupiter]

Total respect for those guys - how they remained so cool in that situation, I can only imagine.

[@MrLeeson660]

unreal footage. bet that was insane in the water. 95% of ppl would have drowned in that situation those guys are beasts in the water

[@KrotowX]

Those 95% wouldn't be drowned, but simply clubbed to mincemeat by huge waves.

[@Jay-Hebs]

I reckon it’s a lot higher percentage than that, so many people who don’t understand the water

[@user-os5sd7sz4v]

yeah, I can tell you it would be higer, it seems like 85% of people made up their statistics.

[@ben-vf]

Buoyancy suits help a fair bit too.

[@kooskansloos4834]

@@user-os5sd7sz4v lol. I see what you did there.

[@MatthewVandeputte]

Got sweaty palms watching this. Great video and great drone operating too!

[@Sleepy_Joe_]

pussy

[@PigeonFlare]

ok donald

[@subhakumari8091]

Jn zoo to

[@airindiana]

That was insane, that wave just came out of nowhere under the ski 1:24. Absolutely mental. It just rose from nothing!

[@Lastshallb1189]

The amounts of mind control these guys possess to conserve energy is truly remarkable.

[@RobertoLage]

Una única secuencia. Eres muy grande, Máquina Voadora. Puro cine. Chúpate esa, Spielberg!

[@maquinavoadora4090]

hahaah true, no Hollywood special effects on this one ;) Real Naza Carnage, raw!

[@EireFirst2024]

This is more exciting than films that cost millions & take hours to watch.

[@ashrafulhaque9787]

Taking the dive at the right moment was a great quick thinking on his part. Bravo!

[@jasonstolte4507]

Wow, brilliant. Love your work guys. Much respect. Bigger Cajones then I will ever have. Love Portugal. Surf there most years and Nazare last year. But 6ft is my limit thanks. Will follow you guys with interest. Keep up the good work. Be safe. J. x.

[@theshineyone1111]

WOW! These drone videos are some of the coolest surf videos that exist ! Thanks man :D

[@camcoulter5993]

I add another "wow"! The boldness and matter-of-fact attitude "Another big wave is coming, but I need my board". Maybe you can question their judgement, but not their abilities. Amazing.

[@taniar523]

Wow, that was some ferocious pummeling by mother nature! Amazing skills shown by Alex & Hugo there! Just phenomenal.

[@SonOfAnders73]

retrieving the board nearly cost the them their life, good footage

[@jhgrc]

Exactly - total lack of judgement to go for cheap material like surfboard.

[@seancallahan1312]

@@jhgrc Yeah, they have no idea what they're doing. (Sarcasm) and your photo is Butt-Surfing? It's not for the price of the board that they're chasing it. You don't just throw important equipment away. (Yeah, I'm on an SUP in my photo. Big-wave accident, can't ride normal boards anymore. I've swam over a mile to get a board, before we had PWC's out daily to help out.)

[@jhgrc]

@@seancallahan1312 There is nice sandy beach where surfboard would have washed out and where the jetski flushed too if I recall the video. Still I say total lack of judgement for material over life. I don't know what it is with you going personal against me or my profile picture or kayakers in general. Cool down Sean and enjoy life.

[@seancallahan1312]

@@jhgrc I just trip out when people who haven't been there just make a call like "total lack of judgement." Sorry about the old, ingrained Kayak issues. We used to have to kick them out when they couldn't control their boats and ran people over, then wanted to stay in the water! Now SUP riders do the same thing. I don't go out in any crowd on any equipment I can't duck dive, unless the waves are so big that no one is duck-diving. So I only SUP surf in empty or near-empty beachbreaks, or otherwise uncrowded spots. A lot of kayakers and now SUP surfers don't seem to get that. Sorry again about the jibe. But think about call-outs against real watermen. Both these guys are the real thing.

[@nathelm]

@@seancallahan1312 it doesn't matter what you ride there is always going to be someone that has a huge problem with anyone out there and that only kooks ride sups, kayaks, boogie boards, longboards, guns, short boards, etc, etc, etc. It's ego, localism, stupidity, call it what you want. When he lost his ski a guarantee you the first thought in his head was that going after that board was a mistake. In regards to tow in surfing, the ski should be used for rescue only. If you can't paddle out to it and you can't paddle into it, don't ride it. My 2 cents. Nobody cares about my 2 cents and I don't care about that. Surfing is still the best sport ever conceived by man. Cheers!

[@RobinvdTube]

You people are awesome! Such skills to deal with such enormous waves, respect!

[@Undvne]

To be able to keep your cool in that situation is superhuman. My chest was pumping just watching this

[@wedemeyerr]

Really, i am older than 30 years old and just realized how amazing fascinating and dangerous surfing is. Really great pictures. Amazing!

[@dozer1642]

I didn’t breath watching this. That scared the crap out of me.

[@b34rtr0lls7]

Dozer1642 not surprised

[@dozer1642]

Dogeboii Dogeboii I’m not surprised your a bitch.

[@laraghoreilly8631]

Breathe***

[@Sleepy_Joe_]

pussy

[@britneygervais1192]

Omg you guys 😂

[@rubberduckie6617]

This would give me nightmares. Great footage tho

[@johncrossley3624]

Im impressed by how quickly these guys pop up after copping these monsters on their heads. Couldnt imagine not wearing a bouncy vest. It must save so many lives.

[@jackbelk8527]

I'm glad somebody finally put together a 'context' photo of where these waves actually are in relation to the beach. All we get is close-ups of walls of water.

[@Qui-9]

This and any other surf is beautiful, and awe inspiring because of the sheer power, potentially dangerous but blissful when harnessed successfully. One thing I enjoyed about this video is none of it was in slow motion. It's easier to appreciate and feel the scene at real speed, and even though slow mo can look impressive in the short term, you lose the sense of the immediate experience of it's speed and power. Thumbs up!

[@matthewbonciu2444]

God with you guys! All the best! That was awesome!

[@luismarques9280]

Man, those waves are crazy, they are mountains, Nazare is a place to admire

[@NothingButtruth]

Longest three minutes of ones life...I wasn’t even there and it seemed like the longest of my life watching it...amazing nobody was hurt.

[@PatentSTM]

Insurance application has been disapproved.

[@sebastiansurfs]

Drone Boss!!!!

[@TT-yi8fz]

That was sick! I call my twenty month old twins "double trouble"! But that huge wave followed by that Monster wave was something else. Smart move by Alex abandoning swimming 4 the seadoo and diving under! I was like "oh no, oh no." Sweet video. Props to the drone pilot.

[@jayesimond9301]

These guys are surf gods. Always in awe when watching em venture this location that time of year. They’re known for their humility and respect for these waters.

[@notdeepwater]

Awesome footage. I love drones and how they give us a whole new perspective.

[@Mattie2004]

Wow, Great video, excellent approaches from various angles. Congratulations!

[@letstravel8851]

El Centinela 🏄🌴🔥

[@c.f.pedraza4057]

That was better than most action films today.

[@marktwain380]

Relentless, magnificent waves and men with spirit, daring and nerves of something else, amazing!

[@DomAviationChannel]

Gr8 video ... nice feature are the explanations for each step of the video :-)

[@My-Pal-Hal]

Nothing like a nice, Relaxing, afternoon on your Waverunner...

[@didibolter9362]

I love your dog, please give him /her hugs and kisses from me, thank you! 😍🐶🐾❤

[@neilhamill318]

That had more suspence than any movie I have ever seen. Because it was real. 👍 True friends like this guy are near impossible to find. So happy the both of you made it to shore.👍

[@James-ip5gz]

How easily the white water pushes the jet ski is mind blowing. Jet skis are HEAVY

[@sketchartphoto8117]

if it wasn't for the footage...we would never grasp the size of these waves. WOW!

[@xabi_merino]

Increíble!! Muy buena secuencia!

[@janetpasciak6419]

I just found this through Instagram... I don’t surf and probably never will, but man this is exhilarating! My body just vibrates!! Thank you so much for the videos! I will watch them all. God bless and be safe 💕🙏🏽

[@maquinavoadora4090]

Thanks so much for the feedback Janet 😃

[@gfrank87]

Great video. Do’s and don’ts. Mother Nature is as pure as it gets. Water is very dangerous. Thxs for sharing this

[@ahmadfaza1994]

Who came here after watching daily dose of internet video?

[@maquinavoadora4090]

Welcome all DDOI Crew 🌊🚁🤙🏻😎

[@frandovian]

you got me bud

[@massivespeedy5]

Meeee

[@robmorgan897]

Ahmad Faza gfgfvfygxhgfcb

[@loki5065]

i thought im only one

[@JEFFGUITAR]

best thing I have ever seen ✌

[@wordreet]

Earth, Wind and Fire, a great name for a band, but you must NEVER forget the power of water!

[@wordreet]

That sounded pretty cheesy. 😅

[@redsol3629]

An illustration of life. Constantly battered by waves but still fighting, still keeping cool under pressure, much respect ✊

[@kirra77]

Intense!! Great video. I just wonder why anyone would hit the dislike button? It's a video of some very brave and courageous watermen. Dislike because you would have handled this better? No real surfer would dislike this. The power of those waves is like getting hit by a Mack truck. This is no joke. It takes courage, strength and bravery to be out there. It takes zero courage to eat popcorn and hate on this video from your couch.

[@kirra77]

SoloSail Boat So eloquently written, thanks!!! Your moral compass is well calibrated, I hope to be half the man you are one day. And if you have a son, I certainly hope he can learn the values that you embrace and embody. The insults, the attitude, the grammar, you really offer the total package right out of the gate. Job well done!!!

[@fmaz1952]

The jetski itself disliked the video.

[@Oreoh303]

People like to dislike so they can be different. Negative motherfuckers

[@SerNanos]

Amazing video hi from greece

[@ajitbhale8211]

One of the greatest surfing video I have seen... Also amazing drone photography and great background music

[@gygaxthegoat2491]

What a job you have, my friend! Im glad no-one was hurt.

[@rpfcreates4476]

Longest three minutes of my life, and I’m only watching lol

[@1joaoluz]

Muitos parabéns por o voo e sangue frio PILOTO (parece fácil mas de fácil não tem nada) já tens aqui mais um sub!

[@paulelliott3220]

Unbelievable waves and expert drone pictures Wow - glad everyone safe after that Looks like a truly exceptional place to see (and experience) waves

[@robin8179]

Love the sea. I almost drowned a good few times. My time has come to enjoy your footages.. just to stay safe for the next years.. 🇳🇱 The Canary Islands are also beautiful!!

[@srcocomad]

Your footage is incredible as always, i'm dying to go to nazaré myself and watch that live.

[@AlohaSpiritClub]

Amazing

[@enjangpandu5901]

GOD!! thats awesome, nice to know that there are no some bad injuries in that activity, please make other video about the wave again, you are amazing people!!!!!!

[@maquinavoadora4090]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@JustVolleyballHD]

Nice Footage!

[@didibolter9362]

Of the waves!

[@cliveadams3916]

I haven't seen the whole beach there at Nazare but I used to live in Makaha and when Makaha goes 30 feet theres a 15 plus foot sand wall on the beach about ten - 15 feet from the shore breaks. Now this sand is very soft hand very hard to climb, where your hands and feet sink about a foot or more into it while trying to scale it. Now that and 12 to 15 ft shore breaks,....................you imagine the rest.

[@Riviera-Flight-aerial_footage]

Oh oh godness !!!!!! The wave growing so quickly ! I know why I prefer the air sports than the water ones !!! Great job dudes but too scary ! Cheers from the air

[@wasabiginger6993]

shocking and even more so how these stunning atheletes just deal with it and go back for more! ... very nicely done video 💕

[@CarSurfingKoika]

I dont know why they didnt just beach it? When your in trouble, the shore is your best friend (providing its sand)

[@goofyfoot2001]

Yeah, there's no reef so no biggie really

[@tobiassinsteden867]

I guess that wouldn't have made a good video ;-)

[@diogogoncalves5549]

because it would be a pain in the ass to get the jet back on the water, and if they beached the jet everytime theres a wave coming, there would not be any jets out there. That was an unpredictable wave that the driver tought he could make it through, he was not really in trouble until he falls from the jet

[@tannerannichiarico7255]

Probably because they're professionals who have done the same routine again and again, and they know what they're doing. If they didn't, they would have died in this video.

[@didibolter9362]

@@tobiassinsteden867 Oh, but it would have, just video those giant waves, that would have been enough for me, just the waves. I only watched for the waves anyway.

[@Melvinnn11]

gnarly!

[@boxhawk5070]

Fantastic video that shows that everything is not the slow motion perfect tube in surfing.

[@alienchaser636]

I thought NOWAY that jetski would start... straight away the air filter valve/ststem is awsome he had confidence in it.. well done champ

[@iamknosound]

And they went back for a surfboard? The hell with that. Your life is more valuable than a surfboard. Buy another one.

[@tannerannichiarico7255]

That's what they do every time if the surfer loses their board on an initial attempt...

[@didibolter9362]

Absolutely iamknosound, absolutely!

[@wolfdy1030]

Looks like a boos fight, but the boss is invisible and invincible... Mother nature...

[@digiorno12]

Great video. The timer at the top right really hits hard. Longest 2.5 minutes of their lives.

[@WillPage]

That was awesome ... more vids like this shows what these watermen really deal with. Business as usual.

[@antoniocarlosdonegafilhodo5051]

Há muitas formas de demonstrar Coragem. O Pequeno Abraço dos dois quando na margem e seguros na areia significa o Tamanho do enfrentado.

[@mello021]

1:38 is breathtaking, you are changing the game, absolutely great content. are you from Portugal or Brazil?

[@maquinavoadora4090]

Hi Rafael, thanks for your feedback! we are from Portugal.

[@timharmoni1846]

Incredible. Shot like this makes for amazing footage.

[@markbass9402]

You guys really got my blood pumping. WOW!!

[@snugglyhedgehog]

Here from DDOI

[@Appalling68]

Your channel rocks, Máquina. Too bad about the sUAV video, however.

[@maquinavoadora4090]

hahaha

[@thlee3]

Whoever is finessing the drone deserves an applause ...

[@player1tv]

An actual great drone pilot.

[@hope4surf]

Dats N U T Z ! ! !

[@edrose8281]

It's been 5 yrs 1dsy is 25yrs how about brown cow dudet

[@iglooproductions]

Next time let the surfboard wash to the shore.

[@mattyvlogs8074]

igloo productions yeah and risk loosing a $1000 board by giving it the chance to get snapped

[@ob1934]

@@mattyvlogs8074 would you rather lose your life or a board😐

[@mattyvlogs8074]

owen bender I doubt you would die if you can catch those waves he is catching

[@ob1934]

@@mattyvlogs8074 if he wasn't at risk of drowning then they wouldn't of needed to send out a jetski for him smart one

[@patriot1303]

Matty Vlogs ever heard of Mark Foo?

[@lesliemergenthal75]

wow. Dramatic aerials by the drone. Good story. Thanks for sharing.

[@justbecause6472]

Yeah I wish I could take this much risk! This is absolutely amazing! I almost died last year and promised myself that I’ll never go to the beach alone. I was with my friend but it’s funny how you can disappear and no one would notice... If it wasn’t for her, I would have been swept away... power of water! I love this video❤️

[@randomstuffguy8129]

That is extremely dangerous

[@godzilla8574]

Daily dose of internet

[@glorietaevangelista6174]

I'm glad nobody's hurt. thank you for sharing😘

[@rufian2630]

Wow! That was intense! When I see guys go down in big wave surf and see them duck gigantic waves only to be ripped back out to sea and get hammered again. It makes me think about the local beach that many of us go to... with its 3 to 6 feet waves and how hard the ocean pulls on you when you're standing in waist deep water or so just after a wave breaks. I cannot even begin to imagine the level of force that these guys are experiencing. It's has got to be astonishing. Seriously impressive stuff. Awesome video!!

[@orion7873]

video should be called "two dummies who don't know how to drive a jetski"

[@Shialabeoufxyz]

O próprio mar expurgou os dois e o jet ski, a sorte deles foi essa.

[@CaseyWiggin]

This was so intense to watch. I have massive respect for these guys that do this sport!!!

[@Austraveler]

wow this is amazing, couldn´t breath as normal while watching this first time...

[@Putocurioso]

Heavy. Looks like they were a bit too greedy and payed the price. ... go to the beach, let the board wash in, then head back out when it’s the right time...... just a couple feet in from pulling it off though. Once again...heavy.

[@MrDeadsurfer]

They obviously don't have much experience. They're learning the hard way.

[@paulofigueiredo8561]

Dale Gribble idiot

[@realquirkyvideos1197]

superb footage, dramatic story well told... thank you

[@susantakumarde3864]

Ooo awesome video please keep uploading this type of wonderful video

[@fleetbuddy1956]

Chillingly amazing! Happy they are both got out safely.

[@Mactar4]

Perfect music for that...Glad your both safe