From: redbull
Get a closer look at how a wave is formed in this clip from the RedBull.tv show "Surf Chronicles". Watch the full episode exclusively on RedBull.tv: http://www.redbull.tv/Surf-Chronicles/Surf-Chronicles-s02e12SUBSCRIBE
Consider two representations of two very big waves, below. The first is a photograph of Mike Parsons at Cortes Bank. The second is a video of Garrett McNamara near Nazare, Portugal. Now take out some measuring tape and make the distance of one foot between your hands. That's the amount, according to the Billabong XXL committee, that McNamara's wave is bigger than Parsons's wave.