Mike Stewart paddles Big Nazaré [bodyboard]

Mike Stewart returned to the world's most famous underwater canyon, two years after riding a few giants alongside Dudu Pedra.
Despite the challenging ocean conditions, the Hawaiian bodyboarder, 55, paddled out on his own at Praia do Norte, in Nazaré, and attacked the mighty waves without jet ski support.

The swell, influenced by tropical storm Leslie, was sending waves in the 20-to-40-foot range. Stewart paddled into his mountains of choice and then got back to the lineup using arm power only.

"The way I figured things was that if I couldn’t make the paddle out, then I probably shouldn’t try to handle the conditions," explained Stewart.

"This session took me two, or three times longer to paddle out than the previous Nazaré session I had there. It was also discouraging to get pushed back after making progress, and so I almost gave up a couple of times to try from further north up the beach."

Mike Stewart: he didn't want jet ski support at Praia do Norte | Photo: Praia do Norte

"Important life lesson: Surges of intensity are usually followed by episodes of relief. If you can just persevere, you will take advantage of any progress you make and will more likely arrive at your destination," concluded the waterman from Oahu.

The nine-time world bodyboarding champion is a familiar face in Nazaré for a long time.

More than a decade ago, and years before the Guinness World Records, Mike Stewart was already competing in the Nazaré Special Edition, a big wave bodyboarding contest that was first held in 2003.

This time, and according to the local reports, the man who embraced healthy organic eating spent 40 minutes in the water, battling the beasts that made the Portuguese shore break famous across the world.

Impressive, to say the least. But let's not forget that Mike Stewart was the first bodyboarder to be featured in Nazaré's Surfer Wall.

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Copyright © 2018, Pedro Miranda, all rights reserved
Bodyboarder: Mike Stewart (Hawaii)
Location: Praia do Norte, Nazaré - Portugal
Date: 2018.Oct.13
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The footage in this video is protected by copyright. To use or obtain a licence for the footage on this video for news articles, social networks, editorial pieces, TV broadcast or in a commercial player, please first contact me or my Agent's Desk [phone]:

@plmiranda on Instagram

[lope]

55 years old and still riding waves like Nazaré. A true Watermen, very inspirational as always.

[Jetty-xdyc]

Still the man! IMO Mike has ridden the pipeline deeper in the tube than anyone. This coming from a surfer 34 years in the water, 12yrs pipe seasoned.

[CalisthenicsWork]

Amazing that he paddled out without assistance

[jahkgdm]

Mike Stewart, the wave wizard!! Always in the right place with or without a board🤙

[AMOKIAN]

Yep..been a fan since the
He is Aqua Man.🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊

[socalpimp]

IMAGINE dropping In on a wave the size of a building 🏫