They call it the Bone Cruncher, and sometimes the Widow Maker - a rare 20ft swell that comes crashing down on the Cornish coastline.
Only the bravest surfers are willing to take it on - and that's exactly what this daredevil succeeded in doing yesterday.
These images show the solitary surfer had a clear path ahead as he rode on the crest of the infamous Cribbar wave.
The swell became the stuff of legend in 1966 when three visiting Australian surfers stumbled upon it.
Scroll down for video of a Cribbar surfer
Riding high: The daredevil gets his balance with outstretched arms while descending the giant wave in Cornwall
Man v wave: The brave surfer rides the legendary Cribbar wave on Newquay's Fistral beach. The steep wave is formed over a reef near Cornwall
Dedicated big wave surfers often only go out in pairs using jet-skis to tow each other into the massive waves
The Cribbar is a short series of waves which have earned the names The Widow Maker and The Bone Cruncher because of the danger of riding them.
The rare wave is created when low pressure systems in the Atlantic trigger huge swells which rise up as they pass over a rocky shelf called the Cribbar Reef off Newquay, Cornwall.
Dedicated big wave surfers often only go out in pairs using jet-skis to tow each other into the massive waves.
Going it alone: the talented surfer is thought to be a professional to take on the challenging wave
I'm still standing: The pro surfer can breathe a sigh of relief as he approaches dry land
The surfer is carried towards dry land by the rolling waves
The wave occurs just once every 18 months when conditions involving the Atlantic swells and the onshore winds combine to cause the perfect surf conditions.
Yesterday's wave is said to have reached around 20ft.
The surfer cut an impressive figure as he navigated the treacherous wave and stayed on his feet.
The Cribbar attracts surfers keen to experience the sort of wild ride rarely seen on our shores
The athletic feat takes an expert level of balance and strength
Besting the bone crusher: the surfer emerges from the wave unscathed
Newquay's Fistral Beach is well known for its surfing and has held major international surfing competitions in the past while.
It is home to the British Surfing Association.
The Cribbar is considered by surf experts to be one of the UK's only legitimate 'big-wave' spots.
It is recognised as highly dangerous because of strong currents and the proximity of rocks and cliffs.
Only the bravest surfers are willing to take it on - and that's exactly what this daredevil succeeded in doing yesterday.
These images show the solitary surfer had a clear path ahead as he rode on the crest of the infamous Cribbar wave.
The swell became the stuff of legend in 1966 when three visiting Australian surfers stumbled upon it.
Scroll down for video of a Cribbar surfer
Riding high: The daredevil gets his balance with outstretched arms while descending the giant wave in Cornwall
Man v wave: The brave surfer rides the legendary Cribbar wave on Newquay's Fistral beach. The steep wave is formed over a reef near Cornwall
Dedicated big wave surfers often only go out in pairs using jet-skis to tow each other into the massive waves
The Cribbar is a short series of waves which have earned the names The Widow Maker and The Bone Cruncher because of the danger of riding them.
The rare wave is created when low pressure systems in the Atlantic trigger huge swells which rise up as they pass over a rocky shelf called the Cribbar Reef off Newquay, Cornwall.
Dedicated big wave surfers often only go out in pairs using jet-skis to tow each other into the massive waves.
Going it alone: the talented surfer is thought to be a professional to take on the challenging wave
I'm still standing: The pro surfer can breathe a sigh of relief as he approaches dry land
The surfer is carried towards dry land by the rolling waves
The wave occurs just once every 18 months when conditions involving the Atlantic swells and the onshore winds combine to cause the perfect surf conditions.
Yesterday's wave is said to have reached around 20ft.
The surfer cut an impressive figure as he navigated the treacherous wave and stayed on his feet.
The Cribbar attracts surfers keen to experience the sort of wild ride rarely seen on our shores
The athletic feat takes an expert level of balance and strength
Besting the bone crusher: the surfer emerges from the wave unscathed
Newquay's Fistral Beach is well known for its surfing and has held major international surfing competitions in the past while.
It is home to the British Surfing Association.
The Cribbar is considered by surf experts to be one of the UK's only legitimate 'big-wave' spots.
It is recognised as highly dangerous because of strong currents and the proximity of rocks and cliffs.