While Nazaré often steals the spotlight for big waves in Portugal, it’s not the only place delivering world-class surf. Jardim do Mar, a powerful point break in the Madeira archipelago off Africa’s north coast, has proven itself as a serious contender. Recently, it was hit by one of the most significant swells of the decade.
Among those taking on the challenge was Nic von Rupp, a well-known big wave surfer and frequent presence at Nazaré. He captured the experience in a newly released video on his YouTube channel.
Unlike his usual charismatic and high-energy approach, von Rupp’s latest edit is all about raw intensity. With no music, just the sounds of the crashing waves, the footage highlights the sheer power of Jardim do Mar. He and his crew faced an unrelenting series of massive waves, showing the break’s full force.
The video’s caption emphasizes the scale of what unfolded: “Jardim do Mar just delivered the heaviest waves in years — and Nic and the boys were there for all of it.” It describes the session as a pure and unfiltered display of big wave surfing—immense, punishing, and impossible to ignore.