Nic von Rupp is a three-time winner of the Perfect Chapter. Photo: Henrique Casinhas
When was the last time you saw Rob Machado, Craig Anderson, and Clay Marzo trading off feathered, sand-bottom tubes? Never? Well, there’s a first time for everything and Capitulo Perfeito (Perfect Chapter) is creating the conditions to make that a reality in Portugal.
The lineup set to compete in the Portuguese tube shootout reads like a cross-generational dream-team All-Star selection. Watching Machado stylishly thread tubes is worthy of anyone’s attention, but throwing him in the water with other world-class tube riders is icing on the cake.
Noa Deane has confirmed his presence in Portugal. So has Balaram Stack. So has Noah Beschen. And I’d reckon there are few surfers on the planet who have logged more backhand tube hours than Aritz Aranburu – he’ll be there too. (See the full lineup here.)
It’s worth it to take a moment and appreciate the roster that was constructed for the viewing pleasure of surf fans. Rarely – if ever – do we get to see a mix of legends reserved only for a day of proper tube rides.
The organizers still have to fill one “performance wildcard” slot to give out as they please, and word has filtered through the grapevine that they are trying to lure some huge names to the tubes of Carcavelos Beach. As if the lineup couldn’t get any better, adding a star from the Championship Tour would put things over the top.
Let’s not forget about the locals. After all, they’ve won the last two editions – Tiago Stock in 2024 and Nic von Rupp in 2023. They’ll both be back with the likes of Portuguese standout Miguel Blanco, among others. Don’t underestimate local knowledge.
The contest window runs through March 11, and organizers will only run the event in proper, barreling conditions. So let’s hope a proper swell pops up on the charts to get this thing underway. There looks like be some interesting activity brewing next week in the North Atlantic.
