Brazil's Koxa surfs biggest wave on record

Brazilian surfer Rodrigo Koxa has claimed the top gong at the Big Wave Awards, winning the award for the largest wave ever surfed.

Brazilian surfer Rodrigo Koxa rides what has been judged the biggest wave ever surfed, at the Praia do Norte, or North beach, in Nazare, Portugal. Source: AAP

The World Surf League confirmed the record at its Big Wave Awards in Santa Monica on Saturday, saying its judging panel determined that a wave Koxa surfed at Naraze, Portugal, on November 8 was 80 feet (24.38m).

"The award goes to the surfer who, by any means available, catches the biggest wave of the year," the WSL said in a statement.

"Not only did Koxa win this year's honour, but he now holds the Guinness World Record for the biggest wave surfed.

The Brazilian surfer's mark overtook the record of 78 feet (23.77m) which American Garrett McNamara set in 2011.

Koxa described the award as "the best day of my life" and "a dream come true."

Britain's Andrew Cotton was awarded the wipeout of the year award after his horror fall in Nazare, which was on the same day as Koxa's super ride.

Cotton is still recovering from the broken vertebrae that he suffered in the wipeout.