Renowned American surfer Quentin Turko recently challenged one of the largest waves ever surfed in Silverbacks, the powerful and legendary breaker located in Bocas del Toro, Bastimentos Island. The episode, widely commented on in international media, was documented in an article by the writer and surfer, Zander Morton for Surfer Magazine, where Turko recounted his experience.

Turko, a native of Outer Banks, North Carolina, has dedicated his life to looking for this type of extreme experiences around the world. In the last two winter seasons, he worked as a guide and boat driver at the Red Frog Bungalows ecolodge, on Isla Bastimentos, which allowed him to be close to one of the most iconic peaks in the Caribbean: Silverbacks.

“It’s very difficult to put that well into words. You have to feel it. It breaks far away, in the middle of a channel, and the way it forms and moves… is something that is not seen on camera,” Turko explained.

During the event, Turko managed to position himself in one of the most critical sections of the place and launched himself into one of the most imposing waves of the day.
“It was the biggest wave I’ve ever seen break there. I knew I had to try,” he confessed. “It was a special and fun session. The best thing was to be there with those surfers that I admire since I was a child (the Florence brothers), in a place as incredible as Bocas del Toro.”

This experience confirms Bocas del Toro as a world-class destination for adventure surfing, where wild nature, Caribbean culture and first-class waves converge. Silverbacks, due to its complexity and strength, has become a true icon within the international slabs circuit, attracting the most experienced surfers in search of adrenaline.