UK stormrider - Andrew Cotton

North Devon Surfer Andrew Cotton was charging huge swells at Nazare, Portugal yesterday. Hurricane Jude was throwing up some behemoth scale waves with the bravest/unhinged surfers tackling these deep ocean monsters whilst towed in on the back of a jet ski.

Andrew "Cotty" Cotton

A little later, Brazilian female charger Maya Gabeira took a bad wipeout and was left with a shattered ankle and unconscious whilst her comrades and emergency services rescued her.

A stark reminder of the power the sea can unleash.

She is now recovering in hospital

Father-of-two Andrew Cotton, 34, from Croyde, North Devon is a professional surfer, plumber and lifeguard. He has steadily become established as one of the biggest wave chargers in the world.