Makua Rothman, the Hawaiian-Jewish surfing star, rode the largest recorded wave on Jan. 16, a swell reportedly more than 100 feet tall. The surfing world and major media outlets were stunned by this phenomenal achievement.

Of his record-riding wave, Rothman said, “I didn’t actually know it at the time, but I could tell it was a special wave. It felt different. Those waves, they create their own wind.”

Rothman is considered one of the best surfers in the world.