Andrew Cotton now holds the unofficial distinction of having ridden the largest wave off Ireland, but more important for the U.K. surfer is that his epic ride last week off Mullaghmore Head has placed him in the running for $50,000.
That's the prize for whomever is named winner of the Ride of the Year category in the year-long Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards, a competition that culminates on March 19 and will declare winners on May 4.
Cotton and tow-surfing partner Al Mennie camped out at Mullaghmore the previous night in anticipation of a swell they had tracked for a week. They awoke to find some of the largest surf ever witnessed off Ireland, and surprisingly light and accommodating winds.
"All these swells that hit Ireland can be hit and miss with wind and this one couldn't make its mind up," Cotton said. "I've spent so many swells on that headland with the wind howling but not quite in the right direction and I honestly thought that this was going to be another swell like that.
"After watching for about 30 minutes and deciding to pick a few off, Al towed me into an absolute bomb. It was my first wave of the day. It felt like a reminder of how good it can get there and why I put the time and effort in."
After the epic swell passed Ireland it filled into the Bay of Biscay, producing giant waves off Portugal, Spain and France.
Other Ride of the Year candidates, along with nominees in other categories, can be viewed on the XXL website, and via its Facebook page.
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