Who rescued Carlos Burle from the giant wave at Nazaré?

Carlos Burle was rescued by fellow surfers Lucas Chumbo and Will Santana.

How big was the wave that engulfed Carlos Burle in Nazaré?

The wave that engulfed Carlos Burle was approximately 80 feet tall.

Has Carlos Burle had previous dangerous encounters at Nazaré?

Yes, Carlos Burle previously rescued Maya Gabeira from a massive wave in Nazaré in 2013.

Home / Sports / Surfer Escapes Nazaré's Giant Waves After Near-Drowning

Surfer Escapes Nazaré's Giant Waves After Near-Drowning

4 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Carlos Burle was engulfed by an 80-foot wave in Nazaré.
Fellow surfers Lucas Chumbo and Will Santana performed a dramatic rescue.
Burle, visibly struggling, received oxygen and medical attention on the beach.

Surfer Escapes Nazaré's Giant Waves After Near-Drowning

Veteran Brazilian surfer Carlos Burle narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation during a massive swell in Nazaré, Portugal. While riding an enormous 80-foot wave, Burle was completely engulfed by the water, disappearing beneath the surface for a concerning period.

Fellow big wave surfers Lucas Chumbo and Will Santana immediately initiated a rescue mission on their jet skis. After Chumbo managed to retrieve Burle, a subsequent jet ski malfunction briefly put both men back in the water amidst the crashing swells. Santana then successfully brought both surfers to safety on the beach.

Upon reaching shore, Burle was attended to by medical teams, receiving oxygen as he recovered from the ordeal. He later took to social media to thank Chumbo, Santana, and the medical personnel, stating they had saved his life. This incident highlights the inherent dangers of big wave surfing in Nazaré, a location known for its colossal swells.