Brazilian extreme surfer Carlos Burlea has reportedly beaten Garrett McNamara’s 2011 record for the largest wave surfed (unlimited) after riding a claimed peak of 100ft.

The potentially historic moment, which was captured on video in the clip below, took place on Monday in Nazaré off the coast of Portugal on a wave formed above an underwater canyon famous for being the world's biggest wave generator.

The canyon had previously been the scene for McNamara's triumphant record-breaking ride in November 2011, which saw him negotiate a wave which measured 78 feet from trough to crest.

Guinness World Records is currently awaiting further evidence in order to verify if Carlos has indeed beaten the previous benchmark.

Commenting on his incredible ride, Burle, from Pernambuco in Brazil told surfertoday.com: "It was luck -we never know when we will be catching the wave. I still hadn't surfed any wave and everyone had already had their rides.

“For me, it was a big adrenaline moment."

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Carlos Burle (R) is hugged by fellow surfer Pedro Scooby

Burle, 45, was with fellow Brazilian surfer Maya Gabeira, who was knocked unconscious by the strong waves and nearly drowned.

After being dragged to shore, Maya was given medical attention on the beach before being taken to hospital where she is recovering from a broken ankle.

The record for largest wave surfed (paddle-in) remains held by Shawn Dollar, who managed to successfully ride a wave measured at measured 18.5 m (61 ft) in height without a tow at Cortes Bank, a reef 166 km (100 miles) west of San Diego, California, in December last year.