Some people aren’t content to just do something.

They have to be the best at it, or do it in a way that really takes it to the extreme.

That seems to be the thinking behind surfer Serginho Laus’ insistence on surfing and mastering the world’s longest wave.

The wave, which appears in the Amazon River, is called Pororoca, which translates as “big roar” – an apt name because you can hear this thing coming and it sounds terrifying.

The name could also derive from a Portuguese version of the term poroc-poroc, which is a way of expressing the act of destroying everything.

Its destructive power comes from the fact that it’s a tidal bore, with waves up to four metres high that travels up to 800 km inland, upstream.

Did I mention that it’s in the Amazon River? That river contains a number of things designed to kill you, like piranhas, snakes, and electric eels.

In other words, surfing that wave is risky business.

You don’t have to take my word for it, though.

Here’s Serginho Laus:

To be fair, he has mastered it.

I haven’t mastered the art of getting through the morning without at least two cups of coffee, so credit given where credit is due.

[source:greatbigstory]