'The most violent 15 seconds of my life': The moment that got a British surfer nominated for 'global wipeout of the year' with spectacular 30ft wave knocking him off his board

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These pictures show the incredible moment that pro-surfer Tom Lowe was overwhelmed by a giant wave in Mexico
He had been hoping to catch the ride of his life - but a moment's hesitation meant he had to bail from his board
Some members of the surfing community are saying Tom's wipeout is 'up there with the best of them'

Published: 04:50 EST, 28 June 2015 | Updated: 05:59 EST, 28 June 2015

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At the time it was hell, but it's a bruising encounter with a 30ft wave that got a British surfer nominated for a prestigious accolade – 'global wipeout of the year'.

These pictures show the incredible moment that adrenaline-junkie Tom Lowe, 32, was overwhelmed by a giant wave in Mexico.

He had been hoping to catch the ride of his life - but a moment's hesitation meant he had to bail from his board at the last second.

Wipe out! Tom Lowe bails from his board on giant wave

This picture shows the incredible moment that adrenaline-junkie Tom Lowe, 32, was overwhelmed by a giant wave in Mexico

His spectacular plunge into the ocean has been hailed as one of the biggest ever caught on camera.

Tom escaped with just minor cuts, bruises and whiplash in what he described as the most violent 15 seconds of his life.

But the pro surfer of St Ives, Cornwall, said he was 'stoked' by all the attention he was getting.

He said: 'This wipeout was definitely the longest free fall that I have ever had.

'The plan wasn't to fall. If I had made that wave I would have got the ride of my life.

'I don't train to fall, but things don't always go to plan with mother-nature and you have to just roll with it.'

Going swell: For a moment, all is well, with Tom on his board and riding the gigantic wave

Waving goodbye to his board: Tom, thrown off balance, leaps from his board, 30 feet up at the crest of the wave

Crest incredible: Tom is pictured plummeting downwards, with the top of the wave looming over him

In the 30 second video Tom can be seen paddling out onto the crest of a giant wave, crowded by other surfers.

As he gathers momentum the wave accelerates away from him, drawing him into its peak as the water begins to crash down around him.

Realising that it is already too late, despite the attempt having only just begun, Tom cuts his losses and jumps.

He can be seen plummeting more than 30ft before he hits the water in a pencil dive.

Free fall: Tom said 'if I hadn't jumped when I did it [the wave] would probably have snapped me in two'

The footage was recorded in Mexico three and a half weeks ago - but has just been released as part of his award nomination

Sea-ing is believing: Tom explained that he was only under the water for about 15 seconds but that it was 'the most violent 15 seconds of my life'

The footage was recorded in Mexico three and a half weeks ago - but has just been released as part of his award nomination.

He said: 'I thought the video would come out eventually, as it was quite an epic fall.

'As I paddled into it, I was kind of late, so I didn't get a good entry. I hesitated slightly because of the crowd, which you can't afford to do on big waves.

'That put me out of the flow, and before I knew it I was too late and I jumped.

'If I hadn't jumped when I did it would probably have snapped me in two.

'I was only under that water for about 15 seconds - but it was the most violent 15 seconds of my life, I had whiplash from being bashed against the sand.

'But the injuries were really minor considering the size of the wave. I got away very lightly.'

Some members of the surfing community are saying Tom's wipeout is 'up there with the best of them' and he has been put forward for the title of the TAG Heuer Wipeout of the Year category in the World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Awards ahead of the 2016 contest.

A message on the WSL website says of Tom: 'And here's the first of many outstanding entries in the new 2016 TAG Heuer Wipeout of the Year category.

'Behold the splendor of Cornwall, England's Tom Lowe performing one of the longest free-falls ever caught on camera at Puerto Escondido, Mexico.'