Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The night rider: Daredevil surfer who lights up monster waves in pitch darkness

It's perhaps not surprising that surfers have a reputation for daring that borders on madness - always pushing themselves and the boundaries of their sport in search of the biggest wave, the most thrilling run.

But big-wave rider Mark Visser has now taken the sport into new territory after he took on 30ft monster waves off Maui - in pitch darkness.

The Australian was towed to the notorious Hawaii surf site - known as Jaws because of the size of the swells it produces - on a jet ski in the early hours of Thursday morning before taking in a groundbreaking ride that lasted for about 20 seconds.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/01/24/article-1350077-0CE29537000005DC-392_964x522_popup.jpg

Man against nature: Daredevil surfer Mark Visser is dwarfed by a menacing 30-footer

'It was the scariest, but most exciting thing I have ever done,' Mark, 28, said once he had made it to the safety of the shore.

'It wasn’t until I saw the pictures I realised how big it was. Riding in complete darkness meant I had to go off feeling. I had to zone out from how you normally ride and just be part of the wave.

'I am so pumped to achieve something that no one thought possible and that I was told couldn’t be done.'

Making waves: Mark begins his run as the monster wave opens its jaws

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/01/24/article-1350077-0CE2953F000005DC-681_964x522_popup.jpg

No turning back: Mark, wearing an illuminated life jacket, hurtles across the surface of the wave

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/01/24/article-1350077-0CE294D3000005DC-942_964x524_popup.jpg

End of the line: Mark crashes into the safety of the surf after successfully completing his 20-second run

Mark Visser

Mark Visser

Pushing the boundaries: Big-wave surfer Mark Visser left, and right, during a more conventional surf session



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