Puerto Escondido has been living up to its reputation as the Mexican Pipeline, and one of the world’s heaviest beachbreaks, this week with massive surf.
Jamie O’Brien’s latest vlog dropped viewers directly into one of the biggest swells to hit the famed Zicatela beach in recent memory, with mountains of water detonating across the sandbars and locals estimating wave faces pushing well over 20 feet.
For O’Brien and crew, it was the latest stop in a South Pacific swell that has already lit up Teahupo’o, Tahiti, and Hawaii’s South Shore before arriving in mainland Mexico.
And Puerto delivered.
The footage shows enormous barrels, chaotic paddle battles, and surfers scrambling to survive as the ocean shifted into overdrive. At times, the lineup looked less like a surf session and more like a survival exercise.
One of the most shocking moments, however, happened onshore.
According to local reports and a fundraiser created to support him, longtime Puerto Escondido photographer and ocean safety worker Matthew Smith lost his truck after the giant surf swept it away. The vehicle was reportedly swallowed by the ocean during the swell, becoming one of the most dramatic casualties of the event.
“For most people, a truck is just a vehicle,” the GoFundMe reads. “For me, it was the foundation of my livelihood.”
Related: Ride of the Year? 20ft Puerto Escondido Activates ‘Survival Mode’ Surf Session (Video)
The fundraiser describes Smith as someone who has spent years serving the local surf community, helping photographers, filmmakers, athletes, and visitors safely navigate Puerto’s notoriously powerful lineup.
“Matt lost his truck,” said JOB. “All his camera gear. Basically his whole livelihood. It really sucks. I came down here; I brought Matt a board. I got him all psyched. Then, I just watched all his stuff…it’s pretty emotional. We’re gonna start a GoFundMe. I genuinely feel super, super bummbed. Let’s help Matt. He would be so grateful if you helped. Even a dollar would go a long way. It’s hard to say ‘epic’ session when something like that happens.”
The loss of his vehicle has created significant financial hardship, prompting friends and fellow surfers to rally around him.
Back in the water, the swell continued to produce some of the heaviest waves of the season.
Longtime Puerto local Edwin Morales estimated surf in the 20-foot range, and the footage certainly supports the claim. Massive closeouts marched down the beach while a handful of committed chargers found themselves threading giant barrels or taking brutal wipeouts.
The swell is part of the first major South Pacific pulse of the season, the same system that recently produced historic surf in Tahiti and powerful waves throughout Hawaii.
If O’Brien’s latest vlog is any indication, Puerto Escondido may have stolen the show.
And with more Southern Hemisphere swell on the horizon, the Mexican Pipeline may just be getting started.
Support the GoFundMe here.
Related: Puerto Escondido Sees Biggest Swell in 10 Years: ‘Looks Fake’ (Video)
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