Photos: Surfers brave monster waves of Portugal's Nazare

Spanish surfer Axier Muniain rides a wave during the big waves Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge in Nazare. Nineteen surfers from around the world compete in the tow-surfing challenge tackling the legendary waves of Portugal's ancient fishing village Nazare with men and women competing together in teams of two for the first time.

A surfer rides a wave during the big waves Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge in Nazare

Hawaiian surfer Kai Lenny rides a wave during the big waves Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge in Nazare

Australian surfer Mick Corbett rides a wave during the big waves Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge in Nazare

Two surfers ride a wave during the big waves Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge in Nazare

Brazilian surfer Rodrigo Koxa rides a wave during the big waves Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge in Nazare

Two surfers ride a wave during the big waves Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge in Nazare

German surfer Sebastian Steudtner drops in on a large wave during Nazare Tow Challenge at Praia do Norte in Nazare, Portugal

Maya Gabeira from Brazil rides a wave during the Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge at Praia do Norte or North Beach in Nazare

Axier Muniain from Spain rides a wave during the Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge at Praia do Norte or North Beach in Nazare

Axier Muniain from Spain rides off the lip of a wave during the Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge at Praia do Norte or North Beach in Nazare

People gather to watch Nazare Tow Challenge at Praia do Norte in Nazare, Portugal

Portuguese surfer Hugo Vau rides a wave during the big waves Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge in Nazare

Hawaiian surfer Kai Lenny rides a wave during the big waves Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge in Nazare

German surfer Sebastian Steudtner drops in on a large wave during the Nazare Tow Challenge at Praia do Norte in Nazare, Portugal

Sebastian Steudtner from Germany rides a wave during the Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge at Praia do Norte or North Beach in Nazare

Sebastian Steudtner from Germany rides a jet ski to rescue surfer teammate Maya Gabeira from Brazil after she fell down on a wave during the Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge at Praia do Norte or North Beach in Nazare

Kai Lenny from Hawaii goes airborne exiting a wave during the Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge at Praia do Norte or North Beach in Nazare

Spanish surfer Axier Muniain rides a wave during the big waves Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge in Nazare

Kai Lenny from Hawaii rides a wave during the Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge at Praia do Norte or North Beach in Nazare, Portugal