• To Mane/Nazare Qualifica/AP Photo
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    U.S. surfer Garrett McNamara rides a massive wave off Praia do Norte beach in Nazare, Portugal, on Monday Jan. 28, 2013. McNamara may have broken his own world record for the largest wave surfed when he caught this wave, which some believe to be 100 feet tall. If the claims are verified, it will mean that McNamara, who was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, but whose family moved to Hawaii's North Shore when he was 11, has beaten his previous record. That was a 78-foot wave he rode at Nazare in November 2011.

  • To Mane/Nazare Qualifica/AP Photo
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    A closer crop of U.S. surfer Garrett McNamara riding the potentially record-breaking wave off Praia do Norte beach in Nazare, Portugal, on Monday Jan. 28, 2013.

  • To Mane/Nazare Qualifica/AP Photo
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    A closer crop of U.S. surfer Garrett McNamara riding the potentially record-breaking wave off Praia do Norte beach in Nazare, Portugal, on Monday Jan. 28, 2013.

  • Francisco Seco/AP Photo
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    McNamara rides a wave during a surf session at Praia do Norte beach in Nazare, Portugal, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013. 

  • Francisco Seco/AP Photo
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    McNamara rides a wave at Praia do Norte beach in Nazare, Portugal, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013.

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    McNamara carries his big-wave gun before a surf session at Nazare's port, Portugal, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013.

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    A surfer rides a big wave during tow-in surfing session in Nazare, Portugal, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013. 

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    McNamara carries his board before a surf session in Nazare, Portugal, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013.

  • PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/Getty Images
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    McNamara carries his surfboard as he leaves the beach after a surf session at Praia do Norte in Nazare on January 29, 2013. 

  • Francisco Seco/AP Photo
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    McNamara, left, take off on a wave at Praia do Norte beach in Nazare, Portugal, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013. 

  • PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/Getty Images
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    McNamara rides a wave during a surf session at Praia do Norte in Nazare on January 30, 2013. 

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    A surfer rides a wave at Praia do Norte in Nazare on January 30, 2013. 

  • Francisco Seco/AP Photo
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    U.S. surfers Garrett McNamara, right, and Kealli Mamala get ready to surf at Praia do Norte beach in Nazare, Portugal, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013. 

  • PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/Getty Images
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    McNamara rides a big wave during a surf session at Praia do Norte in Nazare on January 30, 2013. 

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    McNamara rides a wave during a surf session at Praia do Norte in Nazare on January 30, 2013. .

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    Next: 25 Awe-Inspiring Photos from 2012

    McNamara waits for a wave during a surf session at Praia do Norte in Nazare on January 30, 2013.