Calm Under Pressure - Big Wave & Dramatic Rescue Sequence

Action starts with Professional Big Wave Surfer Toby Cunningham getting towed into a massive wave in Nazaré, Portugal, during the big wave session of February 7, 2019, which was one of the biggest days of this Winter season in Praia do Norte.
After successfully riding the huge wave, which was the first wave of a big set, Toby gets caught by the white water and falls off his surfboard. By then Toby was further in the inside, which is the most dangerous spot in Praia do Norte, also known as the impact zone. His rescue team mate, Surfer Glyn Ovens tries to reach him with the Jet Ski, but there’s little opportunity for a pick up since the next wave was already too close. Toby takes the first impact of a giant mass of white water, and as he resurfaces Glyn was already getting close with the jet ski to attempt another rescue, but Toby sees another huge wave rolling in and signals Glyn to abort the pick up, taking that second enormous impact on the head. The moments that follow were of great stress, and little window of opportunity for a successful rescue, Toby’s 25 years of Big Wave experience is put to the test, he manages to stay calm under pressure and eventually gets picked up by Brazilian Surfer Ian Cosenza that came in to help with the rescue.
Toby Cunningham, 41 years old, is an experienced Big Wave Surfer and Waterman, from Coronado (California, USA). He started surfing Big Waves when he was just 16, in 2003 he won the XXL Biggest Paddle Award with what was then a world record paddled wave of 56 ft. In the past 5 years Toby has been spending his winters in Nazaré and facing what is now know as the “Mecca” of Big Wave Surfing. In his own words Toby gave us this comment:
“Here in Nazare it makes everything I've ever surfed in the past feel small. Getting a beat down in Nazare can be an incredibly fun experience or a daunting experience. It all depends on your mindset. I choose to enjoy doing out of control flips underwater where it is pitch black and incredibly loud. I absolutely love that I have no control over what is happening to me underwater and letting the ocean do whatever it pleases.”
Besides Surfing Big Waves, Toby’s other passions involves Global Finance and Crypto Currencies (he helps running “Crypto Tips” Channel on KZbin), he does volunteering in India at the Mother Theresas Home for the Sick and Dying Destitute, Climbs mountains in Nepal, does Cave Diving and about anything that involves Adventure.
This incident had no injuries, Toby was back surfing that same day, one hour later.
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 at 78-foot at the time, in 2017 that record was broken by Brazilian surfer Rodrigo Koxa, setting the bar at 80-foot.
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Copyright © 2019, Máquina Voadora, all rights reserved
Filmed and Edited by: Máquina Voadora
Featured Surfer: Toby Cunningham ( / cryptotips )
Jet Ski Rescue 1: Glyn Ovens
Jet Ski Rescue 2: Ian Cosenza
Date: February 7th, 2019
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].
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[@garyl2981]

Physical fitness is only surpassed by mental mastery. Legend.

[@leahdavis2612]

Very true indeed!

[@theshineyone1111]

4 wave hold down and the dudes dancing... insane. Respect.

[@lucademartino]

those arent waves dawg, buddy did a 4 underwater earthquake hold down and was cool

[@surfinmuso37]

Lol...That is NOT a 4 wave hold down. He simply went under 4 waves, coming up after each one. By your thinking means i have had many 10 wave hold downs lol

[@dreamyasmin7107]

He is not dacing, i think he is making signals to let them know where he is.

[@ticklefritz5406]

Love how you let Grandmother Ocean do the soundtrack on this one. I held my breath through the whole video just to help Toby out

[@bequieter1103]

Absolutely! Best audio ever....feels like you're right there. If only people would learn from this. Fabulous from beginning to end with an unobtrusive and comical yet very accurate text narration. Absolutely perfection.

[@ficklemedia8733]

Really nice film. I especially liked the lack of dramatic music. It actually made it really more tense just with the waves. The running commentary was perfect as well. It was the right size and speed. I look forward to more of this. I just clicked subscribe

[@maquinavoadora4090]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@dbaider9467]

This just went viral in Ireland, for some reason. Peace.

[@denissssss8579]

Fickle Media no the commentary was a bit too quick I had to repeat it multiple times to read what he said

[@CosmosZeroX]

yes the sound of the massive waves is amazing and also frightening...

[@scotty6124]

Totally agree about the music since far too many times cheesy music kills a visual spectacle.

[@LeksiHD]

His dancing shows in seconds that he has 1. Still energy and 2. He is calm and everything is still under control. 3. People see him. Just great teamwork.

[@nickc3856]

This dude is goofing around after a half dozen big waves land on his head LMFAO I'd have died after the first one

[@maquinavoadora4090]

He's goofing around just to let his team mate he is ok ;)

[@abigailr0see515]

David C he go under the waves and was probably already taught to swim to the bottom lmao hehe

[@hdkeemii8315]

it didn't hit him , if you know anything about these incidents you will just swim under when the wave coming in

[@ImJuanChannel]

@@abigailr0see515 I think he has a floater

[@joesurfer9754]

@@abigailr0see515 Try "swimming to the bottom" 3 or 4 times and no surfboard to rest on when you come up. Even in small head high waves, you will be completely exhausted and close to drowning, especially if you swim to the bottom. My heavy nose rider has broke 4 leash's and I almost drowned, I stopped using leash's at all 12 years ago. Don't even own one now. The key is to swim on your back, backwards toward beach. Hold your nose when white water comes or try to body surf in. Any other way and you will drown. Trying to body surf in may tire you out too much. I use to paddle out tandem with someone and get off the board and swim in from way out just to practice this technique.

[@swisstrader]

Let’s face it, these guys have a screw loose where a part of their brain doesn’t process fear the same way as normal people.

[@Proverbs--tx6yr]

NYC Entrepreneur 💯 truth! However, most reject the truth to validate insanity.

[@N73B60]

hahahahahaahahahahahaahhaha

[@izzojoseph2]

True statement. Scientists ran a brain scan on Alex Honnold the rock climber and found that he doesn't register fear the same as 'normal' people. I think it's fair to guess the same for these men.

[@swisstrader]

Joseph Izzo 100%. My son was a competitive snowboarder but never got to the next level because he had just enough fear of doing certain tricks. There were kids his same age that had ZERO fears. And it’s wasn’t just snowboarding. If someone would say let’s jump off the roof of a house into a snow bank, they’d be the first to jump.

[@SurfMastery-kz6je]

@@swisstrader true. imagine being a skateboarder trying to compete with someone as fearless as nyjah grinding backwards down a 20 foot stairway.

[@prakashmurudkar6405]

No music that's peace, only nature's natural sound

[@mistercarlberg]

Love watching this. But it's even better to try it. Go outside and run hard for 3 to 5 minutes. Really Hard. So you are sweating and panting. Then push play. When he goes under, hold your breath while continuing to jog. He comes up. Stop. Try to slow your breathing. Take a deep breath. Jog again while holding your breath. Repeat three more times. Then imagine that you have no choice and no security in your outcome. That's what a hold down is. It sucks. Even for super fit endurance athletes, 5 seconds under water in 6 foot surf after a hard paddle and a few on the head feels like an eternity. So watching these guys go for it is a thing of beauty.

[@maquinavoadora4090]

hahaha nice approach to watch these videos ;)

[@jontakaki503]

Without those inflatable vest he would have been under for all 3 massive waves and most likely drown. The vest makes a huge difference as you don't have to fight to get back up and can save tones of energy. Before the vest, you had to wait till the water stops churning so you know which way is up, and then fight your way up while trying not to overdo it in case you can't make it before the next impact..

[@DeanKuga]

@@dontuseorcommentfromthisac5665 Why did you even bother with all that effort if you had god on your side?

[@Jpgundarun]

@Daan Made in Holland Australian Mothers have water births in bigger conditions than this.

[@mirror1675]

@@DeanKuga God clearly wanted him to drown but he defied His will.

[@lhaviland8602]

Count off the seconds that he's under the wave. Then imagine being tumbled underwater for that duration. Balls of steel right here.

[@MizzzFizzz]

I had a really simmilar experience, though everything 5x smaller haha, including me, I was just getting tossed around in a rip and a break there was no way i was getting out but my dad was a surfer and drilled everything into my head and i knew i had plenty of time before each wave and i could get a good breath go under the water and relax, it just sucked cos i knew i couldnt get out so i just had to wait. Then this giant aussie just walked up and went "you need a hand love?" as i nodded and he just yanked me out with 0 effort XD saving me, the lifesaver had his eye on me and called me out of the water fully but i went into shock when i hit the sand, if i wasnt keeping my cool i could have easily drowned, i was fully in control and didnt panic at all untill I was safe but it made me realise how easily and quickly people can die from their lack of calm. FYI I was with my "lifesaver" ex and said i wasnt a confident swimmer nor liked the pull of the ocean that day but he talked me into going in and as soon as we went slightly deep he swam so far out i couldnt get his attention when i was in trouble. Was so stupid. I still love the water and always know how deadly it is though, i respect it and dont stay very far from dad lol.

[@pifarragallardo4943]

These guys deserve all respect by their bravery strenght and a strong mental attitude

[@Chloeeee2215]

What an absolute legend! The person that saved him is a hero as well 🙌

[@bogota909]

much respect to these guys takes serious dedication and balls salute my friends

[@jlepp]

Pretty amazing how staying calm can be the biggest factor in survival. Like most things I suppose ..

[@CabrioDriving]

Seriously FASCINATING TO WATCH!!! The skills of everybody here is mind blowing, including that of drone pilot in such strong windws. amazing job!

[@antonoat]

Nice to see a REAL expert showing how it's done! Respect.

[@arunwarriar]

Amazing breath control! Toby the dude 😎

[@maquinavoadora4090]

Toby's the man!!

[@auroradiazdelgado3901]

Fantástico ver la fuerza de la naturaleza en el mar y la increíble preparación física que tienen estos deportistas. Me encantaría estar allí disfrutando de ver este gran espectáculo !!!!!!!.

[@betofogo17]

This Cosenza deserves a plate. He has saved dozens there, partner or not. Thumbs up for the lad!

[@TKM11370]

When you can jog back up the beach after a kicking like that. Waterman status confirmed.

[@lunabelle5795]

The sound of the waves very relaxing.. aside of Toby being rescued of course

[@asd36f]

Sounds awesome wearing headphones!

[@yggdrasil9039]

No music, no editting. Perfect.

[@rbjstudio]

Sweat more in training, bleed less in battle, wow to this guy, another example anything could be accomplished,

[@HK-sw3vi]

"he was back to surfing one hour later" killed me

[@nextari]

Respect, for anyone that's flopped around in 20 feet of foam, that position in those conditions looks like an absolute drowning. Man's a warrior.

[@michaelcutugno7228]

mother nature doing her thing and humans trying to out smart her the power is Amazing no crappy music just huge waves crashing love it.

[@brinjoness3386]

love how he tried to put his board in the buggy before himself

[@Наталья-о2о5в]

Это было давно, но как я переживала смотря видео за него 🙏 спасибо Спасателю 👏👏👏🌊

[@SP-qo1so]

Great choice of no music... Really adds to the tense nature of the film

[@JetSurfingNation]

Very impressive as always!

[@maquinavoadora4090]

Thanks guys!

[@Theantagonistify]

Also the man is keeping his peace by ducking underwater which minimizes the impact of the churn and lets him bob up to breathe after after every wave.

[@theflipflopgang5316]

It does not minimise it a I am a nipper training to be Lifeguard and 5here is a actual gap where the wave does not hit well the biggest waves I have been in is 6 foot which looks massive from a human perspective

[@aurumtree]

Proper ballz of platinum!! For all out there, hats off fellas!

[@combattractor]

No struggle no progress. Respect legend

[@jack.4129]

3:15 damn I wish I had his confidence

[@savitribalgobin159]

May GOD PROTECT YALL OUT THERE🙏🙏🙏

[@CsabaTothMr]

This reminded me when I was in a keeper hole on the Ocoee and realized after about a minute of fighting with the current that my mojo is limited and would eventually run out. And I was hoping that my friends were preparing the throw rope to drag me out. But this... this is 100x crazier...

[@connorcoultas9629]

Keeper hole on the Ocoee? Where you in Humungous?

[@concertslivehd3336]

The beauty of the ocean in that state is that it will rock you nicely but It will eventually return you to the shore by itself.

[@chapeauvelu]

Outstanding footage! You guys are damn skilled.... Thanks 4 sharing

[@brianbartlett2089]

Standing ovation nicely done, 5 wave hold down and ski driver!!! EPIC save!

[@creatrixZBD]

Those jetski guys know their stuff 👍🏼

[@roldanching]

muchas gracias por compartirlo, los felicito. Que Dios los bendiga,.

[@sergioc.6882]

Best rescue ever!!!! congrats...

[@jenniferflores5942]

One word for this dude is "nuts"

[@jerwinpasco]

This reminded me of December 14, 2018 - Steudtner scooped Jacaré out of further wave-pounding. I got some video of that from the land but there were no drone clips (probably due to the weather?). Animal! Uma vista deslumbrante do praia do norte! Eu gostaria de estar lá em Nazaré, mas estou aqui. Valeu! 👊🏾

[@maquinavoadora4090]

that inside is always scary! ;)

[@jsmith7348]

Riding the jetski seems equally as terrifying

[@deathpainful1307]

He is an absolute G.

[@sstrick500]

I know nothing about surfing (never even seen the ocean); but dang those waves are HUGE! I'd have died.

[@alyssaangel1094]

this happened to me once at balboa, newport beach. not as crazy but was intense, learned to swim under and over waves to breathe and avoid getting hit directly, still almost drowned once tho as the current was taking me further in and I was beginning to tire out. this is like next level right here

[@rc2634]

A qualidade dos videos é brutal!

[@maquinavoadora4090]

Obrigado 😊

[@kgcane5195]

Love the nat sound!

[@krisbriz]

Excelente trabalho Maquina 🤙🏻

[@maquinavoadora4090]

Obrigado!

[@carlosfox9939]

Amazing athlete 👏

[@Uskisman]

Toby maisua! Toby the master!

Excellent video with no stupid music and phantastic sound!

[@HiThere-tv2bd]

These people are crazy. I'm terrified just watching I can't even imagine being in it.

[@ankitashilpa6022]

God level calmness that must be 😥😮

[@jimj5617]

Great filming! Thanks so much for putting on youtube!!

[@najaf96]

Salute to his nerves and technique

[@nilssokolovs8733]

Amazing! I love sound of waves! :)

[@ariskobalt6325]

This man really has balls of steel

[@benjaminmm4745]

I love how after a ton of these waves he got used to them and he started dancing

[@zebinho47]

toby is brilliant

[@jeanneeber]

Scary!! I’m feeling a bit short of breath just watching him!

[@meditation_001]

So comfortable ❤

[@clintonsherry7059]

Guy is awesome 👍👍👍

[@therongibson3653]

The brain makes impervious to defeat 🙏🏿💪🏿

[@c0411026]

Nerves of steel!

[@RomainCosta97531]

this is absolutely mental jesus

[@renatojlopes]

Amazing footage as usual!

[@maquinavoadora4090]

Thanks!!

[@VladSicoe]

This was more suspenseful than a Hitchcock movie.

[@michaellikes780]

Toby is a savage, no doubt about it

[@MrJohanOne]

Boss ! Much respect Toby

[@firefury6090]

not far from shore but deadly... im suprised as how he took a deep breath and dived before a gi mantic wave hit him. amazing reaction. kudos to the jet ski guys.

[@costelpenciu4690]

Complimenti,un grande saluto da Roma

[@foysalsheikh6237]

He is so brave man

[@DavidC1]

great video!

[@lunabelle5795]

Nice shot

[@МарияКошкина-я4г]

О Боже! Какая красота!

[@srinivasvas1111]

Wow.....superb.....

[@Brooklyncameraclub]

MVP.

[@fourseven6202]

great quality footage!

[@bobhanover4841]

That was amazing!

[@GreativeDIY]

Great Great

[@federicoaidoscol]

This year i had an enoirmois wipeout so bow just seeing the white water makes my heart come right off my chesr

[@christiansinghoff7287]

In diesen Wellen ist höchste Lebensgefahr ...

[@highvoltage9390]

I Really appreciate his skills

[@le_highlife9068]

Incrível! Impressionante!! Belo registro e grande trabalho máquina voadora! O surfista deve praticar muito o pranaiama , num é possível.. fera demais!

[@maquinavoadora4090]

Obrigado Leandro, sim o Toby tem muita experiencia neste tipo de situações.

[@jacuzzibusguy]

How does jet ski guy survive?

[@mannyquintana8074]

Amazing any humans are out there when it’s that massive. But no ski/water vest and your history.

[@pritpalsinghsasan2260]

Meaning of brave deserve this man .

[@BostonEmpath]

huh?

[@qatarsailor7727]

Strong mind man 👌

[@davidfernandez1974]

Great men!

[@thecaliforniaconvict]

the film and video is so dope

[@xjtao6192]

Parabens qualidade dos videos top ......Maquina Voadora .... quem é esse surfista ?

[@Cat_herders]

It’s amazing to think that 2 foot waves can knock me down and keep me down until someone helps me up... this is terrifying.

[@beachbummer3434]

crazy surf

[@msantello1]

When they go have to be under successive waves, I wonder if they just relax their whole body, or do they adopt a certain posture while under, like rolling into a ball?

[@MegaArutnev]

I just came from Portugal. This country is insensibly connected with the sea.

[@josefineheiss679]

"insensibly" ??

[@gretamcdole9900]

What a badass