In a video, posted online after the dramatic ordeal, Clarke-Jones said the wave was comparatively small but he "knew it would be bad" when it threw him across the side of the cliff.
Veteran Australian big wave surfer Ross Clarke-Jones scrambled up a cliff after a wipeout washed him over rocks.
"I'm lucky, I'm lucky it wasn't bigger.
"It's always on these days you take it for granted. You go ah, it's small. That's when you get hurt."
Clarke-Jones, 51, has been surfing in the area for more than three months but said the wipeout was a sign it was time to call it quits; for now.
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"I think I'm done for the day. I think I'm done for Nazare season. I think I'm gonna call it a day.
"I'll stay here, I'll just look at castles or something. Get some food, have some wine."
Clarke-Jones grew up in Terrigal on the NSW Central Coast and, along with tow partner Tom Carroll, has taken on some of the biggest waves ever attempted.
He also isn't the only surfer to fall victim to famously massive surf at Nazare.
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SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
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