Brazil: the Pororoca, the giant wave of the Amazon admired by surfers

At the gates of the Amazon, on seemingly peaceful flooded lands, the Mearim River suddenly begins to rumble. It’s a sign that the “Pororoca” is coming. In the native language, it means “roar”. During the rainy season, between March and May, under the effect of the new and the full moon, the rising tide opposes the current of the river and forms a wave of incredible power. The Pororoca extends over more than 40km and intrigues curious people from all over the world to surf it.

The Pororoca comes at a specific time

But before taming this wave rocked by native legends, you must first be initiated. A group of surfers take part in a ritual to pay homage to this force of nature that the ancients once feared. At 4 a.m., Gilvadro Junior de Almeida, Pororoca surf instructor and champion, and his group have to hurry because the Pororoca comes at a specific time. The Brazilian was one of the first to surf the Pororoca in 1997. He has more than 100 to his name. He knows very well that it always arrives at rising tide.