The same storm that destroyed the famed Santa Cruz wharf may have also created the largest wave ever surfed — bringing the record to California.

On Dec. 23, Santa Cruz surfer Alessandro “Alo” Slebir took to the coast off Half Moon Bay for the annual Mavericks Big Wave Invitational. As surfers gathered from around the world for the famous competition known for its massive swells, a storm brought hurricane-force winds from the Central Coast to the Pacific Northwest.

Photographers and safety crews reported wild conditions as they kept an eye on surfers. And as 23-year-old Slebir dropped in to hit his wave, the swell may have crested at 108 feet, surpassing the 86-foot record wave reported at Nazaré, off the coast of Portugal, according to NBC Bay Area.

Slebir told NBC News it was the fastest wave he’s ever ridden.

“I didn’t really know how big the wave was,” he said. “Every wave was gigantic but there’s this feeling as a surfer when you are going down the face of a wave you’re going so fast. That wave, in particular, there was so much water coming off the reef you could feel the wave wanting to go backwards.”

Slebir’s Wave Awaiting Verification

Analysts still have to verify the 108-foot claim made by the World Surf League, just as they did when German surfer Sebastian Steudtner broke the record in 2020 off the coast of Portugal. Of the 10 biggest waves ever recorded, Nazaré holds seven of the top spots, according to RedBull.

Like Slebir, Steudtner set his record during a storm — Hurricane Epsilon.

The storm that will likely take Slebir to historic status also took out the Santa Cruz municipal wharf, dragging three people out to sea before they were recovered.

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But the storm accelerated the unique conditions that make the Mavericks wave 20 miles south of San Francisco unique. The typical wave will reach 15 to 30 feet, Surfertoday reports, with the winter months primed for the best swells.

Photographer Audrey Lambidakis with website Surfline.com caught the action on Dec. 23. She said that by noon, the horizon disappeared with only a wall of water to be seen. A few hours later, Slebir would take his turn.

“Near the end of the day, Alo Slebir arguably caught the largest waves ever surfed at Maverick’s, and possibly a new world record contender for largest tow wave,” Lambidakis said. “His tow partner, Luca Padua, whipped him into a mountain that tripled in size as it grew. The crowd exploded into cheers when he kicked out into the channel.”