The Atlantic Ocean has shown its raw power this summer. Hurricane Erin, formed near the Cape Verde Islands, delivered an exceptional swell that first lit up the American surf scene (see also this Reddit post) and then sent the European surf world into ecstasy. More on that below.
From monstrous water walls in Nazaré to long, rolling point breaks in France and England.
Erin created a spectacle usually reserved for late autumn and winter.
In this article, we’ll take you through Erin’s origin, its impact on Europe’s most famous surf spots, and the lessons we must draw from this natural force.
How and where did Hurricane Erin form?
Hurricane Erin developed on August 11, 2025, above the Cape Verde Islands as a tropical disturbance. It rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane: exceptionally powerful and of unprecedented scale.
Although Erin never made direct landfall on the U.S. East Coast, the storm sent massive amounts of energy into the Atlantic Ocean. This energy traveled across the ocean and eventually reached Europe.
Impact on European surf
Nazaré: the undisputed big wave hotspot
In Nazaré, Portugal, the ocean exploded. Nic von Rupp, local and big wave legend, stated that in 20 years he had never seen such a swell in summer. Sets of over 60 feet pounded Praia do Norte, delivering imagery usually reserved for the winter months.
Check this short:
Other big wave spots
- Mullaghmore Head (Ireland) and Belharra (France) saw powerful waves that lived up to their reputations as big wave spots.
- In Ireland, waves even crashed over coastal walls, causing flooding in harbors.
▶️ Watch footage of massive waves at Roonagh Pier, Ireland
Point breaks brought to life
Beyond the big wave arenas, beach breaks and long point breaks along the Atlantic coast also benefited. In Southwest France (like Guéthary), Spain (Mundaka), and Northern England, lines came alive that are often flat during summer. Even Mullaghmore in Ireland went off like never before — at least for a summer swell.
This created sick sessions with long rides and classic point break energy.
Dangers of Erin’s swell
The beauty of Erin’s waves came with serious risks:
- Rip currents: extremely strong and deceptive, even for experienced surfers.
- Coastal flooding: Ireland and parts of France saw piers and infrastructure overrun by water.
- Overconfidence: surfers in the U.S. were arrested after paddling out despite bans — a stark reminder that safety always comes first.
▶️ See how surfers got into trouble during Erin sessions (and even ended up arrested!)
Hurricane Erin delivered Europe a historic swell
Hurricane Erin delivered Europe a historic swell: Nazaré roared, point breaks woke up, and surf communities thrived between awe and risk.
Erin shows us how thin the line is between the magic and the danger of the ocean. For surfers, this means: enjoy — but always respect the power of nature.
