The obvious answer is yes. Jeff Clark soloed for how long out at Maverick's, a decade and half. Now look at that place. Look at what's happening at Nazare the last couple of years. Both Clark and Hamilton broke barriers of what people thought were possible. Once the barriers were broken, others who couldn't see what was possible before accepted the challenge. Should we take credit away from Wright brothers for those now going to the moon?
You can’t really compare the two locations, as well as the rides.
Clark’s achievement at Mavericks can’t be overlooked, but you can paddle into those waves. Yes, you can paddle into waves at Chopes, but Laird’s tow-in was so deep into the barrel that if a surfer tried to paddle in at that location he wouldn’t make it out of that ride alive.
Chopes is notorious for claiming a lot of lives.