[imagesource: AP Photo/Armando Franca]

You have to be fearless, and perhaps a touch mad, to take on the biggest waves the world has to offer.

Thankfully, for those of us who like to watch from a safe distance, there is no shortage of surfers who want to put their skills to the ultimate test, and each year competitors take to the water to push the limits.

The contenders for one of the World Surf League’s most coveted prizes, the 2020 XXL Biggest Wave award, have recently been announced, and the Guardian put together this video.

One of the surfers who made the cut is Kai Lenny, for his wild ride at Portugal’s famed Nazaré, which is pictured above.

When you consider the danger of surfing Nazaré, as evident from this incident back in February, you have to doff your cap.

(If you’re after a great read regarding how Nazaré became surfing’s big wave Mecca, check this out.)

Here are the five nominees for the 2020 Biggest Wave award:

Fantastic to watch, from home, with coffee and a rusk in hand.

While we’re on the topic of surfing, we should mention 13-year-old Jackson Dorian, who made waves earlier this week when he pulled off this move at a wave pool in Waco, Texas

Jackson Dorian just broke the internet. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/1rtVigECvm

— World Surf League (@wsl) August 10, 2020

Some big names were impressed, reports Fox Sports:

Surfing GOAT Kelly Slater was in disbelief and offered a Michael Jordan-style shrug.

Current world champion Italo Ferreira wrote: “NOOOOO, that was insane bro.”

Fellow professional Seth Moniz declared “you are out of control” and Pipe legend Jamie O’Brien added “insane”.

Surfing is definitely in Jackson’s genes, as his father is big wave surfer Shane Dorian.

[sources:guardian&foxsports]