This surfer was wiped out and swallowed whole by an enormous 60ft wave off the coast of Portugal.  The athlete can be seen speeding along the black and white wall of water as it breaks at Nazare on the Atlantic coast.  Then, he plunges underwater as the wave collapses in a mass of white foam. The athlete can be seen speeding along the black and white wall of water as it breaks at Nazare on the Atlantic coast Then, he plunges underwater as the wave collapses in a mass of white foam A very strong wave can push a surfer 20 to 50 feet below the water, where the pressure is so high it can rupture their eardrums. Currents can also push surfers towards hazards such as rocks or coral reefs.  There is also a risk of consecutive waves holding the surfer underwater for a long period of time, potentially leading to drowning. However, deaths are rare. Nazare is a hotspot for big wave surfing, with giant swells generated by an underwater canyon just off the coast.   RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 2 Next How many umbrellas does it take to keep the King of Saudi… Another wave of 'deadly weather' is on the way: Experts warn… Wills gives Kate Diana's ring: Prince's moving tribute to… Share this article Share In January, a 10-year-old surfer has had an amazing brush with death after gliding his board over a massive great white shark. Eden Hasson was catching the last of the light while surfing at Samurai Beach in Australia on Tuesday evening when he got the fright of his life. The young surfer said he didn't realise the dark shape he saw in the sea was a great white shark as he enjoyed the last of the day's waves.  'When I took off I thought I saw something and when I went to do the first snap off the top I hit something and I thought it was seaweed,' he said.  A very strong wave can push a surfer 20 to 50 feet below the water, where the pressure is so high it can rupture their eardrums. Pictured: The wave breaking with the surfer underneath Currents can also push surfers towards hazards such as rocks or coral reefs. Pictured: Another giant wave pictured at Nazare 'Then when [Dad] called me in I thought it must be a shark because there was a big school of fish we saw.'  His father, lifetime surfer Chris Hasson, was standing on the rocks taking photographs of his son when he saw a dark shadow in the water.