WIDE ANGLE: Giant Waves

A Discovery Earth special feature
 

Surf's Up!

Grant "Twiggy" Baker of Durban, South Africa, won the 2008-2009 Billabong XXL Biggest Wave Award by riding this 61 footer. That's nine-feet shy of the world record, and a fraction of what waves can grow to, given the right sort of umph.
Photo credit: Brenton Geach/BillabongXXL.com

 

Got Something To Say?

Speak up here:

 

Earth is a wavy planet. The watery sort of waves are the focus of awe and fear -- both well deserved. Surfers are continuing finding new ways to fling themselves into and out of the giant watery jaws of death. Meanwhile, the rest of humanity is trying to stand clear of the breakers. In this wide angle we look at waves from both sides.

  • Quiz: Giant Freaky Waves  
    What do you really know about the largest waves on the water planet? Test your knowledge here ...
  • HowStuffWorks: Creating Monster Waves  
    No, it's not the wave elves out there paddling away, nor giants doing belly flops. Find out what it takes to make Earth's big waves ...
  • Video: Surviving a Monster Wave Wipe-Out  
    Surfing huge waves can be deadly - and exhilarating. Same goes for the wipe outs. One of the sport’s most extreme surfers talks James Williams through the experience ...
  • Slide Show: Most Beautiful Waves  
    TreeHugger.com's look at some of the world's most stunning images of waves. Almost too beautiful to be true, but they are ...
  • Blog: Largest Wave of the Year  
    Here it is, a 61-footer ridden by a crazy guy from South Africa. See the stunning image of the year's largest ride ...
  • Puzzles: Largest Waves Ridden By Man  
    Surf's Up! Don't get wiped out trying to put together these puzzles of the world's largest waves ever ridden by man for the 2008/2009 season ...
Catch the wave at the Discovery Earth's blog: Earth Pub.

MORE WIDE ANGLES.

 
advertisement

Other Wide Angles This Week

Visit our other Wide Angles running this week:


Discovery Space: Back To The Moon!
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter launch to the moon to scout for spots to park a lunar base has been delayed until June, but we take a look at features of the moon that go beyond being made of cheese.


Discovery Tech: Modern Inventions
In conjunction with Discovery Channel's latest TV show Doing da Vinci where a team of engineers tries to reinvent the artist's greatest artillery, we dive into what great inventions have changed the modern world.

 

What's On Now

Feb 10,
10:00 pm
60 min(s)
Bering Sea Gold
Suction
 
The weather may be perfect, but storms are brewing onboard the dr
Feb 10,
11:00 pm
60 min(s)
Gold Rush
In the Black
 
The Hoffman crew risks its all to run through the night in a bid
Feb 11,
12:00 am
60 min(s)
Bering Sea Gold
Suction
 
The weather may be perfect, but storms are brewing onboard the dr
Feb 11,
1:00 am
60 min(s)
Gold Rush
Bedrock Gold
 
A key crew member calls it quits at Quartz Creek. Meanwhile, mass
Feb 11,
2:00 am
60 min(s)
Gold Rush
Man Down
 
A heart attack has 91 year-old mining legend John Schnabel battli
 

Shop Discovery

 
newsletter
 
 

our sites

video

 

mobile

shop

stay connected

corporate