It looks like it’s this Tuesday, February 18, that the long-awaited TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge will begin, the big wave event that has brought thousands of enthusiasts to Praia do Norte, in the town of Nazaré, in recent years .
The WSL (World Surf League) had already issued an initial alert indicating the excellent weather and swell forecasts for this day, and ended up confirming the date, with all the logistics already in place for what is already considered one of the best surfing events in the world.
Waves of up to 20 meters
According to the organizers of the TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge, the conditions are ideal for giant waves of more than 25 feet (about eight meters), in an event that will bring together the best big wave surfers in the world, for a unique spectacle between Nature and the human being.
The demanding competition, which attracts thousands of people to the Sítio da Nazaré promontory, has challenged the limits of human performance and we’re sure that this edition will be no different.
The 9 teams of surfers
TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge features a unique tow-in format, in which surfers are towed by watercraft to the giant waves, allowing them to “catch” the big swells to perform incredible, adrenaline-filled performances.
Among the participants are some of the biggest names in big wave surfing, which this year will once again feature two of the greatest pioneers of the sport: Andrew Cotton and Garrett McNamara.
This year’s edition will have nine teams, with the Portuguese colors in particular, led by the courageous Nic von Rupp and António Laureano (in separate teams) , distributed 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 António Laureano (POR)
The TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge will, as always, be broadcast live by the WSL, so that millions of fans around the world can watch this great big wave spectacle in Nazaré.
Here’s a glimpse of what it might be like tomorrow.