There’s no wave in the world quite like Nazaré. Even among the world’s most dangerous big waves, it’s a special case – a beach break that is capable of spitting out waves that are not only the biggest in the world, but wildly unpredictable to boot.
On top of that, The Nazaré Big Wave Challenge is an event as unique as the break it takes place at. In the specialty one-day event, with competitors broken into two-man teams, who alternate between surfing and driving a jet-ski. Three groups of these teams then compete in two 40-minute-heats. Their total scores are based on the two best waves across both heats, with the highest-scoring wave counting for double points. At the end of the event, surfers are recognized across three categories: Men’s Best Performance, Women’s Best Performance, and Best Team Performance.
The event only runs if conditions produce consistent waves with a minimum of 25 feet on the face. With on oncoming large NW swell and favorable wind conditions, it looks like those conditions are on the way. As a result, the WSL Commissioner’s office announced they have put the event on Yellow Alert, meaning it is on standby for a potential run day on Tuesday, February 18.
The next call will be made on Monday, February 17 at 10:00 a.m GMT, for a possible start on Tuesday, February 18 at 10:00 a.m. GMT
The competitors are as follows:
Team 1: Lucas ‘Chumbo’ Chianca (BRA) and Pedro ‘Scooby’ Vianna (BRA)
Team 2: Nic von Rupp (POR) and Clement Roseyro (FRA)
Team 3: Rodrigo Koxa (BRA) and Vitor Faria (BRA)
Team 4: Rafael Tapia (CHL) and Pierre Rollet (FRA)
Team 5: Andrew Cotton (GBR) and Garrett McNamara (HAW)
Team 6: Kai Lenny (HAW) and Ian Walsh (HAW)
Team 7: Michelle des Bouillons (BRA) and Ian Cosenza (BRA)
Team 8: Justine Dupont (FRA) and Éric Rebière (BRA)
Team 9: Laura Crane (GBR) and Antonio Laureano (POR)
