The hunt for the 100ft wave

·43 min·4 clips

Alessandro Sleiber describes the pitch-black terror of being ripped around by a massive wave at Mavericks.

This episode of The Slow Newscast follows a quest to determine if surfer Alo Sleiber conquered a 100-foot wave at Mavericks, California, on December 23rd. Host Claudia Williams narrates the story, starting with Alo's experience of surfing massive waves and the buildup to that day. The wave is rumored to be 108 feet, taller than the current Guinness World Record held by Sebastian Stöitner at Nazaré. The reporters travel to Nazaré, Portugal, a hub for big wave surfing due to its underwater canyon that amplifies waves. They interview big wave pioneers like Andrew Cotton, who discusses the evolution of tow surfing and record-breaking waves. The episode covers the Tudor-Nazaré Big Wave Challenge, where surfers compete in extreme conditions, and highlights the risks, including wipeouts and near-death experiences. Experts like José Carlos explain the psychological and physical challenges of big wave surfing. The narrative delves into the controversy over measuring wave height, with methods like photogrammetry and expert panels used by Bill Sharp's Big Wave Challenge Awards. Surfers express skepticism about Alo's wave, with regional biases and technological claims adding complexity. The episode explores how climate change may be increasing wave power, as discussed by professor Gary Griggs. It concludes with Alo and Sebastian Stöitner surfing together in Nazaré, symbolizing the ongoing pursuit of the 100-foot wave. The reporting emphasizes the blend of art and science in surfing, with luck and technology both playing roles in pushing boundaries.

As heard by us

A crowded shoreline becomes a quiet test of how surfers balance ambition with the risk of not coming home.

The Slow Newscast treats big-wave surfing less as spectacle than as a long negotiation with fear. At Mavericks, the wave is dark, cold, and square, promising adrenaline while punishing any misread.

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Why you'd press play

Press play if you want to stand on the cliff with the crowd, waiting for the big-wave show while the ocean keeps everyone guessing.

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