California surfer rides 108-foot wave, potentially setting new world record

newsweek.com January 1, 2025, 05:01 PM UTC

A surfer in California, Alessandro Slebir, may have set a new world record by riding a wave estimated at 108 feet on December 23. This height surpasses the current record of 86 feet held by Sebastian Steudtner since 2020. The wave was surfed at Mavericks, a popular surfing spot near San Francisco, during a winter storm. Slebir's achievement is notable as it occurred outside the usual record-setting location of Nazaré, Portugal. To confirm the record, Slebir must submit evidence to Guinness World Records, which will take time to verify. Initial estimates of the wave's height vary, with some experts suggesting it could be in the record range.


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