Jamie Mitchell: steep drop at Belharra

Jamie Mitchell and Shane Dorian stood out during the "Black Swell" that stormed Europe between January 6 and 7.

Belharra was the big wave center stage for a couple of days, although it was not the spot pumping the biggest waves in the Old Continent.

Eric Rebiere raised the question: "Over 100 feet Nazaré?"

You just couldn't tell. But it was simply too big to get brand-new customers. At Praia do Norte, you can easily pay for a ride with your life.

In Madeira, a Portuguese island on the Atlantic Ocean, big waves invited a small group of surfers into the wild.

The British are also telling us that Winter Storm Hercules has had a profound impact on the coast.

The country has been hit by serious waves, combined with strong gusty winds and heavy rain.

In the Northwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula, the beautiful spot of Pantín, near Ferrol, saw enormous Atlantic wave trains invading the long, sandy beach.

Belharra, the capital of the "Black Swell," got Shane Dorian and Benjamin Sanchis in the water to ride the big wave surf reef.

Apparently, they paddled into some serious heavy walls in the Bay of Biscay.

Consequently, Dorian has earned himself a 2014 Billabong XX Ride of the Year entry.

Also, Jamie Mitchell, a Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard champion, dove into a blue monster and wiped out in grand style.

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