place until 2011 when garrett mcnamara was towed into the 78-foot wave by a jet ski.he had a camera mounted on his surfboard, and one on the shore recording him as he got into place, let go of the tow rope, and began his record-setting ride. >> i didn't realize it was that big of a wave until it came down from above and just, boom, right on my shoulder. almost squashed me. i almost collapsed. >> reporter: it's hard for people who have not ridden a 78-foot wave to understand what it feels like, the power of that wave. how do you describe it? >> a lot of us have snowboaraded or skied. just imagine going as fast as you go down a mountain, and then imagine hitting some ice, maybe some mole hills. and then imagine an avalanche coming down after you. then imagine not trying to run away from it, trying to stay as close as possible to it the whole time. and have it chasing you. and now the mountain is moving, and not just the avalanche, but the whole mountain is moving. that's what it's like riding the giant waves. >> reporter: it sounds terrifying. >> for the average person,