If you know anything about Nazaré, then you recognize names like Garrett McNamara. You’ve seen plenty of waves ridden by Kai Lenny. You’ve seen Rodrigo Koxa’s world record, you’ve heard of Andrew Cotton’s triumphant comeback here over the years, or know that people like Justine Dupont, Maya Gabeira, Nic von Rupp, Lucas Chianca, and a slew of other big wave surfers from around the world drop whatever they’re doing, wherever they’re doing it, to get to Portugal the moment an XXL swell is being forecast. We all know the regular players at Nazaré and that there are too many to list here already, which partly explains why we hear less about athletes like António Laureano, a man who also never misses a big day at Nazaré.
In fact, Laureano has been a regular since he was just 13 years old thanks to a father who introduced him to big wave surfing and operates as water safety in the Praia do Norte lineup himself.
“If we cannot surf big waves, at least we can have security in big waves,” Ramon, Tony’s father says.
“If someone is going to give his life for Antonio, it’s the father,” says Susana Lousada, Antonio’s mother. “That makes me feel more comfortable.”
A quick glimpse into Antonio’s Century Swell session is a unique look at a side of Nazaré we don’t hear much about: the entire community that lives here even when the wave isn’t taking center stage or the families that sit and watch from the cliff.
