The documentary series 100 Foot Wave is back with the highly anticipated third season on Max
The production follows the incredible journey of legendary surfer Garrett McNamara and other big riders who challenge the giant waves of Nazaré
With stunning footage and intimate stories
the new season continues to explore the relentless pursuit of giant waves
revealing behind-the-scenes of one of the most iconic big wave surfing spots in the world
The premiere is set for May 1, 2025, on the streaming service Max
The Season 3 premiere promises new stories of overcoming challenges
and the risks faced by those daring enough to surf the planet's biggest waves
The award-winning series
honored with the 2023 Emmy for Best Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program
showcases breathtaking visuals of Nazaré's giant waves
Note: This article is an update to the previously published article
where we confirmed the production of the third season of "100 Foot Wave"
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But a sizable swell – organizers calling it in the 25-to-35-foot range – hit the Portuguese heavy water arena on Thursday
giving the green light to the Tudor Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
the one-and-only stop on the 2025 World Surf League Big Wave Tour
the tow team featuring Portuguese local Nic Von Rupp and Frenchman Clement Roseyro took home the top honors
surfers compete in teams.) Clement won the Men’s Best Performance award
with a total score of 21.83 out of a possible 30 (and a single high score of 7.50)
perennial charger Justine Dupont won the top honors
which came following the birth of her first child
she said: “I used to have a lot of fear before
and I’m really happy to be back here to perform
I’m a bit sad that I couldn’t put Eric into a good wave
It was a bit like riding a rodeo out there
keep scrolling for a look at all the action that went down
record-seeking surfers and spectators descend on the small Portuguese town of Nazaré for the "big wave" season
when water can surge up to 100 feet (30 meters) tall
Why it's incredible: The coastal town hosts the world's biggest surfable waves
Nazaré is a hotspot for monster waves on the Portuguese coast
"big-wave" surfers hit the small fishing town during an annual peak in wave size
when the water regularly surges five stories high — and occasionally reaches twice as high
Related: Gargantuan waves in Earth's mantle may make continents rise, new study finds
The waves at Nazaré reach such giant proportions because they form inside the Nazaré Canyon — the largest submarine canyon in Europe
which stretches 130 miles (210 kilometers) long and roughly 3 miles (4.8 km) deep in the Atlantic Ocean southwest of Nazaré
Water inside the canyon travels faster than shallower water, forming large waves at depth that are "bent" in the direction of Nazaré, according to NASA's Earth Observatory
these large waves run into waves coming from the northwest
and this collision forms the truly supersize waves that surfers prize
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Nazaré churns out some jumbo waves, but it's not the site of the biggest wave ever recorded
That title belongs to Lituya Bay in Alaska
which produced a frightening 1,719-foot-tall (524 m) wall of water after an earthquake triggered a landslide directly into the bay in July 1958
That wave killed five people and leveled trees on the slopes surrounding the bay
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And while the Nazaré Canyon explains why massive crests form on this stretch of Portuguese coast, humongous waves can also occur seemingly from nowhere
are waves that are at least twice as high as the surrounding sea state
They are different from tsunamis in that they don't result from water being displaced by an earthquake
researchers think rogue waves are born from smaller waves merging into larger ones
either due to high surface winds or changes in ocean currents caused by storms
Discover more incredible places
where we highlight the fantastic history and science behind some of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth
Sascha PareSocial Links NavigationStaff writer Sascha is a U.K.-based staff writer at Live Science
She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Southampton in England and a master’s degree in science communication from Imperial College London
Her work has appeared in The Guardian and the health website Zoe
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Praia do Norte is a wonder of the world. The waves that break there are unique, their energy funneling through the Nazare Canyon before reaching up towards the Portuguese sky in immense proportions. Although I have been to Portugal in the past, the sleepy little fishing village turned big wave mecca has
When the first real swell of the year popped up on the forecast during a quick vacation
I figured I would be an idiot to miss seeing it break in person
And although it didn’t produce the terrifyingly huge waves the place has become synonymous with
My breath and the hundreds of others who gathered to see it
had only a cursory understanding of the town of Nazare
but the narrow cobblestone streets that sit in front of it are among the most charming I’ve ever had the pleasure of exploring
My fiancé Stevie and I arrived mid-afternoon
cheap and wonderful bottles of vinho tinto in our bags
dimming the sun’s brightness like a gossamer shroud
cable-pulled tram that takes visitors to the top of the cliff
made its way up its steep track in the distance
The town is mostly varying shades of blue and white
punctuated by the bright orange of the rooftops that blend pleasantly with the wide stretch of sand that drops precipitously into the sea
Rum-filled pineapples with gaudy straws in hand
we shouldered our way to the edge of the cliff
but torn to shreds by a stiff onshore wind that threw fat raindrops from the passing squalls above
My phone dinged with severe weather alerts
warning us of potentially devastating rains
bobbing amid the unreadable waves that came from all directions
I doubted that anyone would be able to put themselves in the position to catch one
but after about half an hour and one rum-filled pineapple
dressed in a green and black suit and with a shock of cropped blond hair
it was hard to gauge the real height of the waves
which was far smaller than the ones that grab the attention of the wider world outside of surfing
was producing waves at least triple overhead
The surfer kicked out to a raucous applause that was ripped away by the wind
The small tram that takes viewers to the top of the cliff (left)
and the beautiful streets of Nazare (right)
Mason talking himself down as I talked him up
then agreed to catch up the next day for a quick chat
one of my favorite places on Earth in the morning
but Mason was determined to stay and see what the swell would do
and despite a nightmare flight – flights delayed then cancelled
board lost then found – and the inherent jet-lag that comes with crossing the Atlantic
Barnes has been kind of winging things when it comes to surfing Nazare
and try and show up for the swell of the year
and I just start reaching out to people and just kind of finagling something
That’s only worth doing when it’s the best day of the year
It would be nice to surf these medium sized days
I finally had the opportunity to hire Eric Rebiere full time.”
Rebiere is one of the best Jet Ski drivers at Nazare
and Barnes could not be happier to have the opportunity
“We’ve had this plan that we’re working together for a couple months now
so we’ve been kind of waiting just for the first swell of the season to come out here,” Barnes explained
“We were going to work together and just see how it goes
He was pretty much saying that no one’s going to be here and the waves would be super giant
Let’s do this.’ It’s not normally a swell that I would fly over here for
but the fact was that it was the first swell of the season and there was potential for it to be huge
In the lineup with Barnes and Rebiere were Justine Dupont
“We were the only people out,” Barnes said
Sebastian and Eric kind of opened the door with surfing on these onshore days
you could potentially ride the biggest wave ever if the wind’s onshore
it doesn’t matter how windy or how bumpy it is
the conditions looked completely unsurfable
It’s days like these that make surfing the giant days possible
but they’re so capable of driving on those days,” Barnes explained
find some waves and see what happens.’ And sure enough
we got out there – and what I saw from the beach earlier
It was crazy bumpy and there was too much going on
‘grab the rope!’ and he just put me in a perfect little wave
Surfing a place like Nazare isn’t the same as surfing a normal wave
because the risk versus reward is incredibly high
There were only about six waves ridden all day before the crew decided to head in
because there were still some really big waves coming through
and the water was pushing into the cliff.” Barnes said
I’m good.’ Sebastian caught two waves
and then we kind of called it and just headed back to harbor
the higher the odds are of something happening
how many more times do you want to chance that
There’s always that part of you that wants another one
I wondered then if the cheering crowds would have any influence on decisions like that
was quick to dispel the notion that the influence of the masses would push people much further than they’d push themselves
“if I was in the lineup yesterday and Eric didn’t truly think it was safe and a good idea to ride waves
people being on the cliff wouldn’t change his decision
if they are on the cliff and you do ride a wave and you hear them screaming on top of their lungs
it’s one of the best feelings in the world
But I would never let that persuade my decision to surf or not.”
When it comes to the surfer/driver relationship
Riding waves that could easily kill a person requires a deep-seated belief that the person entrusted with your safety will come to your rescue
of the people who surf Nazare share that understanding
you know that they’re there because they’re ready to be there
and they’re not second guessing anything that’s going on,” he said
“I think all the safety and precaution that’s going into being here is so top tier nowadays that everyone understands how important it is that if you’re in the lineup
So it’s kind of just that like underlying trust that we all have for one another
Now that the first swell of the season is under his belt
he’ll have one eye on the forecast at all times
it’s likely that he’ll stun the world again within a few months
I’ll be on the cliff cheering him on with the rest of the spectators
All gallery photos by Max Tardio.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
R.I.P
Legendary Big Wave Rider and younger brother of Eddie Aikau passed at 75 away Saturday night…:
Clement Roseyro Wins Men’s Best Performance Award
Clement Roseyro (FRA) earned the Men’s Best Performance award with an individual score of 21.83 (out of a possible 30)
Roseyro earned his highest score of the day in Heat 1 with a 7.50 (out of a possible 10)
In his second appearance at the TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
Roseyro was able to raise the bar with his unique approach to big wave surfing
and secure the Men’s Best Performance Award
Justine Dupont Dominates for Women’s Best Performance Award
Back in action after the birth of her first child
drawing beautiful lines on the monstrous walls of Praia do Norte
The former winner looked comfortable in the conditions
staying busy and catching eight waves to build on her score
Dupont’s teammate Eric Rebiere (FRA) only managed to get one wave on the board
but it was enough for a solid start to the day
“I used to have a lot of fear before,” Dupont said
Nic Von Rupp and Clement Roseyro Win Best Team Performance Award
Nic von Rupp (POR) and Clement Roseyro (FRA) took the lead from the get-go with a strong start in the first heat of the day
Von Rupp did exceptionally well to tow his partner into some of the biggest waves
but it was Roseyro’s good read of the waves
allowing him to open up and unleash massive carves into the critical part of the wave and riding out safely
that earned him the best score in the morning
which saw him take a few heavy wipeouts in the first session
Roseyro improved on his score with a great backup ride
pushing the team to the top of the leaderboard
but I pushed really hard,” Von Rupp reflected
We’re stoked Clement got two good scores today to get on top of the leaderboard,” Von Rupp said
Runner-ups Lucas Chianca (BRA) and Pedro Vianna (BRA)
last year’s team winners put up a valiant effort to try to take the lead away from Von Rupp and Roseyro
but despite a strong showing in their second heat
The TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge will kick off with the first group in Heat 1 with Nic Von Rupp (POR) and Clement Roseyro (FRA)
who had a solid run in last year’s event and is a real threat for the Best Team Performance award
They’ll be up against highly decorated watermen Kai Lenny (HAW) and Ian Walsh (HAW)
and former Women’s Best Performance winner Justine Dupont (FRA) and Eric Rebiere (FRA)
back-to-back Best Men’s Performance winner
Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca (BRA) returns with his 2024 Best Team Performance partner Pedro “Scooby” Vianna (BRA)
With the late withdrawal of giant-slayer Garret McNamara (HAW)
he will be replaced by Ben Larg (SCO) teaming up with Andrew Cotton (GBR)
The experienced Brazilian duo of Michelle des Bouillons (BRA) and Ian Cosenza (BRA) completes the second group
Heat 3 will feature Laura Crane (GBR) in her TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge debut
partnering with Nazaré local António Laureano (POR)
Crane was announced as the replacement surfer for Maya Gabeira (BRA) who announced her retirement last month
Bringing their vast experience to the lineup
Brazil’s Rodrigo Koxa (BRA) and Vitor Faria (BRA) team up once again and Chile’s Rafael Tapia (CHL) and Pierre Rollet (FRA) will round out the third group
the nine two-person teams will alternate between surfing and driving their jet ski
The competition is structured into three groups
with each group participating in two 45-minute heats
A surfer’s total score is based on their two best waves across both heats
with their highest-scoring wave counting for double points
making the maximum individual score 30 points
surfers will be recognized across the following award categories:
Most of the invited surfers are already in Portugal
The nine teams feature some of the best big wave surfers who have been preparing for months for a day of high-performance
tow-in surfing at one of the most iconic big wave breaks in the world
Back-to-back Best Men’s Performance winner
Former Best Women’s Performance winner Justine Dupont (FRA) will also return to Nazaré
The TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge is a one-day specialty team that features nine two-person teams
Each team member specializes in tow-in big wave surfing
and will alternate between surfing and driving their jet ski
The teams will be divided into three groups
with each group participating in two 40-minute heats
The total score of each surfer is based on their two best waves across both heats
Surfline Forecast for the TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
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Kurtz shares just what it’s like to put your life on the line doing something you love
Florida’s Oliver Kurtz isn’t one to hold back
So, while it’s no surprise to see Kurtz charging heavy waves, it was still a shock when a clip surfaced last week of Kurtz flying down the face of a 50+ foot monster at Nazaré. Scary slabs are one thing
on the heels of the worst winter of waves in recent memory for the entire east coast
and straight off the plane after a week of socializing in London
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SURFER: From surfing in flat Florida to towing at XXL Nazaré: How did that all happen?Oliver Kurtz: I was actually in London visiting a friend. I thought maybe I’d surf in Newquay while I was there, so I brought a wetsuit with me, and I was planning to pick up some JS boards from Down The Line
perfect swell for Nazaré.” My friend Max Doucet lives in Portugal
so I just flew into Lisbon and he picked me up
and just showed up at the harbor without ever seeing the waves
Buying booties from a local surf shop on your way to surf 50-foot Nazaré without ever looking at it
and when I showed up Eric had changed my time slot
so basically I suited up straightaway and headed out there with him
I had too much adrenaline to even notice them
I know it sounds crazy but I don't think I really thought about it much
I didn't even call my Mom to let her know I was in Portugal [laughs]
It’s interesting because I’m in this place where I’m not surfing professionally
so it was more about exploration and just pushing myself
Coming around the corner from the harbor and seeing the waves for the first time
but that’s why I train every day — it’s the reason that I try to stay healthy and all of that
it’s honestly so scary that it's not even scary
it’s so scary that you can’t even think anymore
It’s more just survival instincts taking over
I’m not sure if anything in the world can compare to it
The bummer about it all is that I kind of blacked out for most of the session
I think I was just operating on pure adrenaline
and when you’re in that state you can’t really remember anything
So you don’t remember how that 60-footer you caught looked or felt
The only thing I remember from that wave is kicking out out of it at the end
looking back and seeing Eric on the ski coming to get me
and before I whipped in I was starting to feel super exhausted
So I do remember thinking that if I fell I was going to drown [laughs]
the possibility of drowning in that situation is actually really
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It took me a couple of days to process everything
I think I just had that crazy serotonin depletion
A couple of days I ago I was flying out here [California], and on my flight over there was a guy sitting next to me watching the 100 Foot Wave doc on HBO and he was just so intrigued by it
It's funny because I didn't say anything
I just surfed that wave a couple of weeks ago [laughs]
Any sketch moments that day?After my third or fourth wave, I was getting back onto the ski in the impact zone. It was one of those very precise times that if you made a mistake or didn't get on the ski at that exact right time, Eric and myself were getting cleaned up. Just like what happened in that clip all over Instagram today.
and I hit my face pretty bad on my board and it went through my chin
So I was just gushing blood out my face for most of the session
The adrenaline was pumping so much I didn't even know how bad it was
or is more Nazaré in your future?Last year
California got that really good swell in San Diego
That was the first time in a while that I wanted to push myself as hard as I possibly could
I've had this… death wish is the wrong word
but I just want to see how hard I can push things
Something on my agenda this year is I really want to get to Fiji and surf a really
Tikanui Smith was talking about how Nazaré is scarier than surfing Code Red Teahupo’o
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Nazaré Big Wave Challenge On Yellow AlertLooking at potentially running on Tuesday
the big-wave season may still hold some surprises this year
PORTUGAL – FEBRUARY 10: Antonio Silva of Portugal surfs in Heat 3 of Round 1 at the TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge presented by Jogos Santa Casa on February 10
Portugal.(Photo by Rémi Blanc/World Surf League)
Winter's not over until the ocean says it is
and with a sizable swell brewing in the Atlantic
it looks like we might get one more dose of big-wave action
The Tudor Nazaré Big Wave Challenge has gone into yellow alert mode as organizers are currently tracking a pulse that could give the contest enough juice to run on Tuesday
the event is a one-day slug fest featuring a total of 18 surfers in the draw (nine teams of two)
Five-time Nazare winner Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca and teammate Pedro Scooby go into the event as the obvious favorites
Chumbo has been pretty much unbeatable out there
winning the event once when it was a paddle contest and then four times when it switched to a tow-only contest
he'll have to battle through Nazare pioneer and “100-Foot Wave” star Garrett McNamara
who's currently in the draw with teammate Andrew Cotton
A surfer's final scoreline is decided by the two highest scoring rides from either heat
And because this is big-wave surfing and everything's bigger
instead of a perfect score being a 10-point ride like on the Championship Tour
the max score possible per wave at Nazare is 30 points
When the day's done and dusted there will be a male and female champion crowned
as well as an award for the best team (don't sleep on the Maui duo of Kai Lenny and Ian Walsh)
Should the swell and conditions come together
the Nazare Big Wave Challenge will then go on Green Alert and competitors will have 24 hours to get themselves to Nazare
is charging well beyond his years…and he’s gaining experience with wipeouts
“The youth is starting to change,” sings the seminal mid-aughts indie stoner dorm room electronica duo
if you’re not killing it by the time you hit your teens
perhaps a big-wave paddle or tow session here or there
at least by the time you hit double-digits
you can kiss that sweet life of a pro surfing career goodbye
a Belgium native residing on Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands
but also getting some firsthand experience with the vicious wipeouts that come with a life of big-wave surfing
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During the recent run of swell at Naz – which is ongoing
by the way; stay tuned for more – Deraeve wiped out on a wave
they motored towards shore as fast as possible
but the lingering chop sent the young gun flying off the ski and back into the Portuguese washing machine
and I had an amazing session,” Deraeve recounted
I’m glad it happened because now I’m more confident and I know I’m more capable of surfing those big waves.”
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Portugal."},{"@type":"ItemList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"url":""},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"url":""},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"url":""}]},{"@type":"ItemList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"url":""},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"url":""},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"url":""}]}]}Nov 29
and thinks: “I could do that.” And it looks like all those overzealous amigos recently landed in Nazaré
During the kickoff swell to the season at Nazaré, Portugal – the world’s biggest gradual slope wave – which went down in the last week or so of November, the lineup was unnaturally crowded
making things even more dangerous for the surfers and safety crews involved
Nic Von Rupp is calling it the “most crowded Nazaré ever.”
If you’ll recall, during that session, NVR and another surfer violently collided
sending them both over the falls and down into the depths
it perfect visual to show just how hectic things are getting at everyone’s favorite XXL mushburger
“Highlights?” NVR said following the session
I don’t know if I can call it a positive or negative
probably the most crowded swell I’ve ever seen here at Nazaré
The guy comes flying down like a bowling ball.”
Hopefully next month we’re going to see some huge waves.”
Stay tuned; things are just getting started at Naz
Brazilian Carlos Burle announced his retirement
Here's a look at where his career is heading next
Kai Lenny tows Lucas 'Chumbo' Chianca into a Nazaré bomb
An extra bit from Red Bull's This Has Nothing Else series on XXL Mavericks
Natxo González and his quiver of big wave weapons
Enjoy big-wave surfers taking on the monstrous slabs at Nazaré.
Kai Lenny competing in The Eddie Aikau Invitational at Waimea Bay in Hawaii
To celebrate the wave, surfers, history, and legacy, the Nazaré Alternative Sports Club is hosting the town’s first surf film festival on December 28. It’s all going down in Cine Teatro
host interactive filming workshops and have public forums with noted surfers and filmers
The entries are open to anyone from anywhere in the world—so long as they center around heavy water or waves of board-breaking magnitude. Filmmakers take note: the entry window closes on December 5, so upload your clips here.
we’re looking for films that showcase the raw power and beauty of these waves,” the organizers wrote in a release
Here’s a brief rundown of the schedule: workshops and lectures will run from 4-9 p.m.
at which point the big screen will turn on
Moviegoers can expect to see five short films (up to 10 minutes long) and two medium-length movies (up to 30 minutes)
Best Medium-Length Film and a work that captures the Spirit of Nazaré
“The festival goes beyond the waves,” the release continued. “We aim to create a platform that unites surf cinematography with local art
offering an immersion into the culture of Nazaré through inspiring talks
and art exhibitions that reflect the passion and spirit of our community.”
a jet ski can become it’s own risk–as we see here in this gnarly clip from the impact zone at Nazaré
Absolute carnage thanks the Nazaré impact zone
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Luckily the Brazilian duo of Daniel Rangel, aka @foamballunicorn, and Willyam Santana survived this harrowing moment at Nazaré
the two were caught inside and taken by a giant foam monster as they were attempting to flee the impact zone
the impact zone at Nazaré is not somewhere you want to be when the waves are massive
your hope is that a ski is on the way to pull you to safety
While jet skis have undoubtedly saved countless lives from heavy water
they also add another risk factor seeing as how they weigh (on average) about 850 pounds
Getting caught in the soup as an 850 pound object is being thrashed around just next to you is what big wave nightmares are made of
it's amazing that both surfers escaped unharmed
The famous Portuguese big wave spot had a quiet spell after the beginning of the season but has come roaring back to life as of the last week. Some surfers, like Tikanui Smith scored incredible waves
while others may have very well received the beatings of a lifetime
We'll be keeping our eyes out for more glory and carnage from Nazaré
Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca at the 2024 Tudor Nazare Big Wave Challenge
The Tudor Nazare Big Wave Challenge has officially been given the green light to potentially run on Tuesday
The final call will be made tomorrow at 9:30 a.m
Surfline reports that “a WNW swell will build through Tuesday from a strong but not ideally located storm in the North Atlantic over the past couple of days
the surf will build mid to late morning and be strongest during the afternoon.”
“Wave face size should hit 25-40 feet through the afternoon with a mix of walls and occasional peaks thanks to the more westerly swell direction,” continues the forecast
“Offshore S to SE wind is expected through the day.”
the Nazare Big Wave Challenge will feature 18 surfers in the draw (nine teams of two)
For those not in Europe they have 24 hours to load up the board bag and hop a flight to Portgual
The format allows for each team to get two 40-minute heats
A surfer’s final scoreline is decided by the two highest scoring rides from either heat
And because this is big-wave surfing and everything’s bigger
Five-time Nazare winner Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca and teammate Pedro Scooby might be considered the headliners
but there's plenty of talent in the draw
including Nazare pioneer and “100-Foot Wave” star Garrett McNamara
who’s currently in the draw with teammate Andrew Cotton
Stay tuned as things develop from the world's biggest rideable wave
chaotic session; Nic Von Rupp surfs monsters
But Nazaré, Portugal’s premier heavy-water gauntlet, has been slightly MIA – aside from a season-opener session, which was bursting with crowds that brought to mind the 1995 film, Waterworld
which was utterly humungous and accompanied by gale force winds
tempted fate in search of glory and motored out to have a crack at what Rupp called the “biggest swell in years.” Check out his video recap below
“Some of the roughest seas I’ve ever seen,” NVR says post session
It’s not a guarantee to survive these conditions
A couple more storms are heading for western Europe
and these have the potential to produce longer period
check out the raw footage from the most recent session below
2024 4:14 PM ESTLooks like things are getting a li’l busy
It’s the start of the season in the North Atlantic
and particularly at the current belle of big-wave surfing’s ball – Nazaré
Portugal – and word on the street is that this year could be a banger
And the anxious anticipation of what will go down in the months to come has begun
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Like the above, showing Nazaré mainstay, Nic Von Rupp, along with an underground charger by the name of Gabriel
and colliding before being jammed into Neptune’s fists of fury
both being pitched over the lip in synchronized
“Traffic was hectic at Nazare this afternoon, i wasn’t sure if it was the @allblacks tackling me or @biel__z12 paddling from 3rd reef nazare
Glad both of us came out of this without a scratch [prayer hands emojis].”
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Showing a different angle via drone, courtesy of Baptiste Chazelle
Here’s what went down: NVR was whipped into the wave first
paddling in further on the outside and a little bit down the shoulder
Perhaps Gabriel gets tripped up by NVR’s tow rope
“Wipeout of the year,” speculated big-wave surf filmer extraordinaire, Tim Bonython
Last year, during the SURFER Big Wave Challenge, the Wipeout of the Year honor went to Trevor Carlson for skipping like a stone down the face of a Maverick’s bomb
Is this year’s winner already decided with this coordinated chaos
The world of big wave surfing – particularly when it comes to competition – has undergone a tectonic shift (read: an Orwellian disappearance) over the last few years and seasons
What has filled the heavy water void – aside from one BWT event at Nazaré for the 2024/2025 season, the (potential) running of the Rip Curl Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, and other specialty events like the recent SURFER Big Wave Challenge – is a hodgepodge of individual
The latest being the Big Wave Grand Prix (BWGP), which, per a press release
“An innovative live streaming platform dedicated to big wave surfing
launching in Nazaré for the 2024/2025 season
the BWGP will follow the daily achievements of the world’s top big wave surfers throughout the entire season
“With the participation of 30 surfers from 13 countries
the BWGP offers a unique experience through blogs
Fans will get an up-close look at the daily action of the surfers and the photographers and videographers who capture it
These professionals are key to promoting big wave surfing
and the BWGP recognizes their importance.”
Just recently, the WSL announced the cancelation of the Jaws Challenge for the 2024/2025 season
Maui big wave surfer and oceanic multi-hyphenate
It has been five years since it has run so I’ve gotten used to not doing it
It’s too bad that Big Wave Surfing no longer has a tour or multiple big events
During the ‘Tour’ era [it] was so much fun.”
the WSL’s Big Wave Tour is still planning an event in Portugal for the BWT
with a contest window spanning from November 1st through March 31st
be the future of big wave surfing competition
Tikanui Smith with the best Nazare POV ever
View directly on Instagram
Hailing from the island of Moorea, where he owns and operates a tour agency Moorea Blue Dream, Tikanui is no stranger to waves of consequence and Code Red conditions at Teahupo'o
He's been a standout in Tahiti for years and steadily making a name for himself on the big wave scene
This trip to Nazaré definitely helped him in that regard as his multiple clips have been making their rounds on the internet with some even saying “the best Nazaré POV ever”
His town partner Eric Rebiere was on point and must be given credit for putting Tikanui onto multiple bombs in difficult conditions at the notorious Portuguese big wave
Working well as a team is essential to both wave selection and safety and these two clearly have it figured out
and add his name to the list of greats who've surfed the 11 biggest waves ever.More TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge content
Kai Lenny tackles a monster wave in Nazaré
Justine Dupont surfs the greatest wave of her life in Nazaré
Carlos Burle and Rodrigo Koxa at Praia do Norte
Garrett McNamara recalls the email that preempted his first trip to Nazaré and altered the course of his life
© Peter Hamblin/Red Bull Content Pool
© Frank Quirarte/Red Bull Content Pool
After two years Maya Gabeira overcomes her pains
Justine Dupont surfs the greatest wave of her life in Nazaré, Portugal
© Rafael G. Riancho / Red Bull Content Pool
Aaron Gold rides the biggest wave ever paddled, at Peahi, Maui
Laura Enever and her 44ft Outer Reef record breaker
Nic Von Rupp Surfs Possible 98-Footer.The debate for “largest wave ever surfed” rages on
it’s an absolute behemoth from (where else?) Nazaré
especially amongst those of the big wave persuasion
feels a little something like this: A gaggle of prepubescent boys
huddled together in the middle school bathroom
and passing around a measuring tape to compare size
could care less about the current craze of big wave world records
others are determined to accurately calculate these liquid mountains…and to crown a new champion
Now, Nic Von Rupp has entered the chat with a recent ride during Storm Herminia, which unleashed massive, chaotic seas upon Nazaré, Portugal and, according to his team, it was the biggest wave of the Portuguese surfer’s life – and potentially the biggest wave ever surfed
View directly on Instagram
“Did Nic von Rupp just quietly break the world record for biggest wave surfed?” the press release from Tudor Watches begins
“Nic Von Rupp just surfed the biggest wave of his career—and quite possibly the biggest wave anywhere
“Last week waves reached their absolute peak—some clocking in at 30 meters [98 feet] at the Hermínia swell in particular… Two multi-parametric buoys provide real-time data transmission to the Instituto Hidrográfico of Portugal
and that day they measured the biggest waves ever
The data is still being processed; two swells that Nic surfed could very well be among the biggest ever surfed at Nazaré—or even in the world
The sheer size of the swell made this a pivotal moment for Nic Von Rupp
Years and years of facing massive swells and mental preparation led to this very moment when he had the opportunity to ride the biggest wave of his life.”
including Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca – have potentially smashed that
the debate for biggest wave rages on – for better or worse
Check the official results table on the WSL website
The team of Nic Von Rupp (PRT), the renowned Portuguese big wave surfer, won the "Best Team Performance" category, securing a home victory after dedicating himself to intense training throughout this big wave season in Nazaré. His French teammate Clement Roseyro (FRA) also delivered an outstanding performance
winning the "Best Male Performance" category
The Brazilian duo Lucas Chianca "Chumbo" (BRA) and Pedro Scooby (BRA) secured second place in the "Best Team Performance" category
Lucas "Chumbo" was somewhat disappointed with the second-place finish
as he is always a strong contender for the top spot and knows Nazaré’s waves exceptionally well
In the women's division, Justine Dupont (FRA) won the "Best Female Performance" category
This event was more than just a competition; it was a celebration of the human spirit in the face of the ocean’s immense power
Nazaré’s cliffs and the iconic lighthouse became the stage for an unforgettable showcase of courage and skill
Watch the WSL post-event and awards ceremony video:
Watch the high-definition RAW video with a view identical to that of the audience at the event
The Tudor Nazaré Big Wave Challenge 2024/2025 reaffirmed Nazaré’s status as one of the most challenging and breathtaking stages in the world of surfing. The organization reported that more than 50,000 people attended the event
The competition provided intense adrenaline-filled moments
leaving behind a legacy of inspiring stories and strengthening the deep connection between surfers and Nazaré’s majestic waves
This event undoubtedly enters history as one of the most memorable episodes in big wave surfing
While the waves weren’t always giant
they reached impressive heights several times
who erupted in unison as surfers raced down towering walls of water
Their cheers echoed all the way to the surfers out at sea
The Tudor Nazaré Big Wave Challenge is expected to return in the winter season 2025/2026 (from October to March). Follow nazarewaves.com for future updates and subscribe to email alerts to be the first to know
Find out more about the annual surfing competition in Nazaré and its history
Check out some panoramic photos from the event below
Winners of SURFER's Emerging Brands Grant Announced
three's a crowd...opening day at Nazaré."},"thumbnailUrl":"https://www.surfer.com/.image/c_fill,w_2000,h_1334,g_faces:center/MjowMDAwMDAwMDAwMTE3ODA5/4-nazare_rcc02758_ryanchachicraig_241126.jpg"},{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://www.surfer.com/.image/c_fill,w_2000,h_1334,g_faces:center/MjowMDAwMDAwMDAwMTE3ODA5/4-nazare_rcc02758_ryanchachicraig_241126.jpg","width":2000,"height":1334,"caption":"Two's a party
2024 6:05 PM ESTThere’s a scene in Waterworld
in which Dennis Hopper and his marauding goons unleash an attack on the anti-hero
searing the scene collectively in the brains of anyone who’s seen it
“looks like Waterworld!” has entered the lexicon
“I parked a couple miles away and weaved my way through the crowded streets. People from all over the world were chatting in their native languages, enthusiasm radiating in the air the closer I walked to the sea. The onshore morning winds had ripped apart the otherwise clean swell but that didn’t stop the lineup from being an absolute zoo
I was truly taken aback at first glance – scenes from the movie Waterworld flashed in my memory as I counted 40 jet skis in the lineup
“Unlike other big wave breaks like Jaws or Maverick’s
where there is a defined channel and therefore a bit of order amongst the PWCs
Nazaré was some form of organized chaos with people weaving around each other while trying to hunt down the tallest peaks
Crowds of people with iPhones in hand lined the dramatic cliff edge which creates a unique vantage point for such powerful waves
The sheer magnitude and dangers of the swells dwindle when you’re this high up
my curiosity led me more towards shooting the crowds and photographing with my drone then focusing in on the individual rides themselves.”
For more visuals from the hectic season-opener at Naz
All photos and captions courtesy of Ryan “Chachi” Craig
Kamiel Deraeve took the heaviest beating of his life at Nazaré
but he’s got a lot of life left to top it
but a recent session at massive Nazaré has opinions divided
who is from Belgium but lives in Fuerteventura (part of the Canary Islands)
learned a valuable lesson about Mother Nature’s strength
a man who has seen far more than his fair share of heavy water wipeouts
was on the scene when Deraeve ran into trouble
“What a crazy situation it was,” Bonython wrote. “@kamielderaeve fell on a wave right in front of us
Antonio Cardoso went to pick him up after getting the biggest flogging.”
the first pickup didn’t work out so well
“Kamiel missed the pick up (not quite gabbing the sled) and then went on to get five bombs on the head,” Bonython went on
“and he tells us he’s glad he went through it… as Garrett [McNamara] says
then maybe you need to pack it in and do something else.'”
tow teams were in the water and safety was top of mind
no amount of preparation can prepare you for every situation
Deraeve hasn’t had enough time to prepare for everything — let alone a massive beating at massive Nazaré
The only way to truly experience something like that
“I had an amazing session,” Deraeve said after he was safely back on solid ground
“I got one of my biggest waves and also one of my biggest poundings
I had a huge wave on the head and the pounding was insane
because now I’m more confident and I know I’m capable of surfing those big waves.”
In a moment reminiscent of the time Maya Gabeira nearly died at Nazaré
the internet is divided over whether he should have been out there in the first place
“Until the day he doesn’t make it,” wrote Francisco Froes
“What happens if the kid doesn’t make the next pick up
I’m sorry but a 12-year-old out there in these conditions
What happens to the parents if this kid dies out there?” (Note that Deraeve’s Instagram pages says he’s 13.)
He was far from the only one voicing concern
somebody thought that was a good idea?” wrote another
The skill of the ski pilots is impressive in the clip
“Forget the grom who missed the sled twice
The ski driver’s skill is outrageous
Some of the most calculated shit you will ever see.”
Whether or not Deraeve should have been out there is not for me to say or not
It’s clear that he’s got the bug
and I have no doubt that we will see him out there again… and soon
“Today, he charged some of the biggest waves of his life — and took the heaviest beating yet,” Above Creators wrote on Instagram alongside an interview with the Deraeve
“The next generation of big wave surfers is here
A post shared by Tim Bonython’s SwellChasers (@tim_bonython_swellchasers)
Carlos Burle and Rodrigo Koxa at Praia do Norte in Nazare
Aaron Gold rides the biggest wave ever paddled
surfing in the Swatch Nines event and taking Women’s Surfer of the Year honors at the SURFER Big Wave Challenge
Of all the moments that garnered applause and whistles from the peanut gallery at Waco Surf during the Swatch Nines event in October
none made quite the impression as what Laura Enever tried one hot afternoon
Laura successfully leaped off her surfboard on a right and dove headfirst into a massive inflatable floating ball
The sound of her body slamming the plastic could be heard across the facility
“Please show me the clip of that,” she asked a filmer
her vlog above compiled three consecutive trips in one
it’s off to Las Vegas to party with friends (which include the now world-famous Paul Fisher)
Then she went to Waco Surf for the inaugural Swatch Nines event in the United States
which essentially let the surfers try countless airs with a few pool toys and flares thrown in the mix
Laura left Texas ahead of schedule so she could get to another party a few thousand miles away: the 2024 SURFER Big Wave Challenge awards in Nazaré
She had two nominations for women’s ride of the year (both tow-in bombs at Teahupo’o and Shipsern Bluff) and a surfer of the year crown up for grabs
panic-buying heels and makeup and driving through those narrow streets only Europe has
Laura deservedly was awarded the Women’s Surfer of the Year
and far out it’s an epic place,” Laura said on stage
“I feel like if someone told me there was a party on the cliff I would have come way sooner than this.”
Storm Éowyn delivered incredible waves to the legendary coast of Nazaré
When winter in Portugal rolls around, all eyes turn to Nazaré. Portugal, as you know, has plenty of other amazing waves — for my money, it’s one of the best surf trips a person can do — but Nazaré has a certain something that all those other waves don’t
It’s so big when the outside is working that it’s more akin to snowboarding than it is to surfing
“Storm Éowyn delivered incredible waves to the legendary coast of Nazaré, Portugal, and I was lucky enough to capture it all from above,” wrote Alvaro Bajo
“This drone footage showcases the raw power of the ocean and the bravery of the surfers who dared to take on these massive waves.”
It’s still relatively early in the big wave season at Nazaré
stand on the cliff as surfers get towed into 90-foot waves
The event draws elite surfers from across the globe to the treacherous waves of Praia do Norte in Nazaré
This invite-only event festures the absolute best surfers in the world
The 2024/2025 competition in this prestigious event window runs from November 1
What's unique about this event is subjuctive nature surrounding the actual day it takes place
Event organizers diligently monitor ocean conditions to identify the optimal day for the competition
This is something that not only ensures each year's wave will be the best it can be
but also bolsters the safety of the participants
a "Yellow Alert" is issued 72 hours in advance when forecasts predict wave faces of at least 25 feet
along with tidal and favorable wind conditions
They endeavor to find the best big wave day with acceptable safety conditions
This alert is a beacon for fans and participants to begin preparing for the big event
teams comprised of two riders take turns surfing or piloting the jet ski tow-in vehicle
The competition features not only the individual skill of each surfer
but showcases their ability to work together as a team
Each team rides in two of the six 40-minute heats
The two best waves for each surfer are recorded
The highest-scoring wave receives double points
which adds a bit of strategic depth and luck to the competition
Awards are presented in three categories: Best Male Performance
The TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge is invitation-only, and only the best surf teams in the world get such invites. The World Surf League (WSL) handles the selection process
with invited teams not only showing excellent prowess and skill
but a penchant for evolving the sport of Big Wave Surfing
and overall contributions to the sport of every surfer before making their selections
This selection process makes this event unique
These measures are necessary considering how dangerous the extreme waves at Nazaré truly are
Live broadcasts are available through official WSL channels and affiliates
allowing audiences worldwide to experience the event
The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only
Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates
All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem
crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER
A strong offshore wind provided great surfing conditions and plenty of big waves for all the elite competitors
The dynamic weather forced the competitors into massive waves and steep swells – all to the delight of the spectators. Two French surfers, at the top of their games, peaked during competition at the2025 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
resulting in tremendous wins for both individuals
Elite surfers from all around the world gathered together in Praia do Norte
Clement Roseyro and Justine Dupont were among the group of athletes who tackled mammoth-sized waves
battling the strong winds with each thriling ride
Roseyro expressed gratitude for skilled surfer Nic von Rupp
Lucas Chianca is ranked No. 2 for the men with an individual total of 18.67 and Ben Larg is at No. 3 with a total of 16.63. "He taught me a lot, especially about driving the jet ski, and we push each other to perform," he said, as reported by Surfer Today
also clinched a monumental win at the competition
Having received an individual total of 19.06
Dupont was understandably overcome with emotion
As an athlete who is balancing motherhood and her love for her sport
A post shared by Fédération Française Surf (@surfingfrance)
"Now, after the baby, I'm more worried about my child, whether they are sleeping or eating," she said
"At least it takes my mind off the fear
We are a family team; we understand each other
and I'm really happy to be back here to perform."
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“In retrospect, I probably should have looked behind me.”
“It was a very scary situation. I’ve never experienced something so extreme,” said the surfer involved in the latest Nazaré jetski fiasco, Brazil’s Will Santana, to Surfline.
Two days ago, Will and ski driver Daniel Rangel were running duos at the Naz on a rising, sub-perfect, bump-stricken swell when Will went down on the first set wave of the day.
“I saw the whole wave as he went through the bumps on that right,” Daniel explained. “It was a pretty big wave, rising swell, it was actually probably the first solid set over 35 – 40 foot face of the day. He fell in a really tough spot.”
“Yeah, I couldn’t do a very good line and ended up taking a wipeout,” Will corroborated. “Being hit full-on by the wave and I stayed underwater for a long time. I knew I was in a very dangerous situation.”
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Surfline (@surfline)
Like the final climax of a traditional Three-Act thriller
our protagonists were faced with an even bigger issue
But I got so focused on trying to find him that
I should’ve looked back and seen the wave so close to us,” Daniel explained
“But I hesitated because of all the white wash
I started being pulled back up by the wave
I knew that it would be better for us to get swallowed
Nazaré continues to make a name for itself as the pejorative Mount Everest of surfing
Despite the pungent odor surrounding the world’s “tallest wave” (Nazaré was once just a quaint fishing village after all)
it’d be unfair to overlook the devoted crew of local Portuguese surfers who have been sherpa-ing this place for years
The Brazilian duo closed up their rendezvous like this
we’re still in good shape and we’re still here and we’re ready for another one *high-five each other*.”
2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Big Wave Grand Prix (BWGP)
sponsored by REFIX (Siete Cuarenta Natural S.L.)
is an innovative live streaming platform dedicated to big wave surfing
With the participation of 30 surfers from 13 countries
The BWGP would like to express its gratitude to the photographers and videographers for their dedication
when they work under extreme weather conditions
a specialized team will ensure the surfers’ safety on jet skis
emphasizes: “The public needs to understand the great respect we owe to photographers and videographers
we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the amazing images we see on social media.”
Among the featured collaborators are Mexican photographer María Fernanda
one of the few women in the world capturing big waves
a filmmaker following big wave surfer Lucas Chumbo
who highlights women’s stories in big wave surfing
an American videographer dedicated to filming Nazaré’s giant waves
The 2024/2025 season promises to be special
filled with exclusive content and exciting behind-the-scenes footage
Press contact:Katarina Patek Ghidirmic | BRAND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATORmarketing@bigwavegrandprix.com
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
We explain why the alleged biggest waves ever ridden aren’t quite as impressive as they look
LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website
It’s back, like a cold sore. Nazaré Canyon
The wave that sometimes isn’t a wave because a wave has a crest and a trough
“Biggest wave ever ridden?” “The 100-foot wave?” “I’m Ron Burgandy?” Those question marks express doubt
It’s like a surfers version of a cheap philosophical question: If a wave breaks without a bottom
It stirs up a bigger question of how we measure waves
and the inevitable pitfalls flaws we run into in the process
A wave is measured as the vertical distance between the crest and the trough
But when you’re looking at a wave straight on
The wave looks 100 feet because we’re seeing about 100 feet of face in the image
which illustrates a virtual cross cut of this wave
like Alain Rioui's wave at Belharra below
you can easily draw a vertical line from the bottom of the wave to meet a horizontal line drawn from the crest of the wave and measure the height that way
But that becomes impossible when you’re looking at a wave photographed from the front
because even if you found the bottom of the wave (a subjective location in most photographs)
you can’t draw the horizontal line from the crest of the wave toward the bottom because you’d be entering a third dimension that a 2D photograph doesn’t allow
1) Nazaré is a place where giant swells are ridden
but these aren’t 100-foot waves.2) The wave is dangerous
as we saw with Maya’s broken ankle-to near drowning-combo.3) We need a better way to measure waves
especially when they’re photographed from the front
If anyone is knows of any special technology
software or math that is available that might help with something like this
Leave your suggestions in the comments section below or email me at taylor@surfingmagazine.com
Kauli Vaast was the highlight of the session
but Kanoa [Igarashi] found some crazy waves
While this 11-minute clip gives the impression that Nazaré (at this size) is a perfect
Willard reckons that’s actually far from the case
“A couple of the sets that came through were pushing tow size
and actually broke way outside and washed everyone in,” Willard continues
Nazaré is potentially the best beachbreak in Europe
From 1-foot to 100 foot it’s just wedging perfection
No other sand bottomed spot has the range of Nazaré
no swell is too big for Nazaré’s outside canyon sandbars to handle
And where else can you also score Backdoor-esque slabs over sand
1 Dream: The Smith Brothers Live It From Kandui to NazaréJake and Luke Smith may just be the most stoked brothers on the planet
up and coming big wave chargers who surf guide at Kandui Resort
Brothers Jake and Luke Smith having been making the most of everything that life offers
whether that’s having to pick up and move across the globe
including two younger twin brothers (more on them later)
who have gone on a whirlwind tour of the world ever since leaving San Francisco and moving to Bali
a serious journey ensued from leaving Japan
for Thailand where they stayed with friends for what was supposed to be 2 weeks
which is approximately 2 miles in circumference
they decided as a family to go to Hawaii and
since there was a 14 day quarantine that most Americans wouldn’t accept
Some help from Barton Lynch led to a place to stay and some grom boards for V-land from Liam McNamara
and lock downs still in varying degrees around the world
many of their heroes were surfing the North Shore everyday and the two brothers were able to learn from the best of them
The tourists had yet to return and so the Smith’s were posted up on the beach at Keramas and had the lineups to themselves
and local heavies Rizal Tajung and Betet Merta
From there, things only got heavier with an eventual stint at Nazare where they got to chop it up with some of the world’s elite big wave riders like Grant Twiggy Baker, Lucas Chumbo, Nic Von Rupp, Sebastian Steudtner
even got towed in at Nazare for their 11th birthdays
twin brothers towing into Nazare at 11 years old
That was 3 years ago, since then the older brothers have been competing, doing water safety for the WSL, working as surf guides at Kandui Resort in the summers, and training at Nazaré in the winters
it’s safe to say that we’ll be hearing and seeing a lot more of them in the future
but we recently connected to hear more about their wild journey
Surfer: Seems like things have been on the up ever since you moved to Bali
can you tell us about what it’s been like over there
Smiths: We’ve been living here for 6 years now and being in Bali during Covid was a pretty insane experience in itself
we were staying at a house straight on Keramas Beach and surfed the east side of Bali’s empty perfection countless times
Throughout the many months of lockdown we were lucky enough to be homeschooling in Bali and on top of that Keramas was one of the few waves on the island that didn't have restrictions on surfers entering the beach and ocean
This led to us really refining our barrel riding skills spending countless hours in the water and in nature
we've crossed paths with some incredible people
is one of the most barrel-savvy groms on the planet
Dylan's family runs Kandui Resort in the Mentawai Islands and after many trips and surfing heats competing with him around Indonesia
It was a dream of ours to get to that part of Indonesia
We left on a plane to Padang the day after competing with Dylan at our local spot and arrived 48 hours later at the best surfing location on earth
We remembered on the boat ride from Padang to Kandui
passing by hundreds of world class waves and pinching ourselves to see if we were dreaming
palm trees dispersed along the shore and perfect waves as far as the eye could see
We immediately jumped onto Dylan's three-wheeler and he drove us past the resort and along the winding jungle path
ducking and dodging trees all along the way to his house directly in front of Rifles
We distinctly remember waking up the next morning sitting on Dylan's front porch and watching a barrel peel from the top of the island all the way down to the end of Rifles
In that moment our love for the Mentawais began
we surfed some of the most perfect waves with empty lineups
making it one of the most memorable trips we've ever had
We had a couple sessions where it was just the three of us getting barreled all afternoon
That following season we found ourselves back at Kandui for the second time with Dylan and
we naturally started helping the guests and making sure they were having a great time
Ray (Dylan’s dad) and Manu Miguelez (Kandui Manager) approached us with an unexpected offer – they asked if we wanted to join the team as surf guides
that sounded like the dream summer job…Spend the winters focusing on paddling and towing huge Nazare and in the summer surf guiding in the Mentawais
What’s been some of the highlights of getting to be a surf guide at Kandui
Smiths: One of the most memorable swells was this past June when a big south swell showed up on the charts
We love south swells because they're perfect for our favorite wave
Rifles – a perfect barreling point break tube that peels down the reef for hundreds of meters
The only problem that occurred was strong south winds were forecasted for this particular swell
which is the opposite of what Rifles likes
We woke up on the morning of the swell and like every morning hopped on the jetski at dawn to check the waves
as we made our way up the island because there is always a chance it could be firing
the forecasts were right – howling south winds
gave our report to the guests and had breakfast
After eating we hopped back on the jet ski and had another look up at the top
We noticed a weird weather pattern of mini storms making their way down from the northwest
A bit after lunch, we sent a boat over to “Good Times”, a long mellow left hand point, one of the only waves that work with south wind and south swell. We hopped on the jetski quickly after sending out the first boat of the day, to check if the conditions had improved for the wave everyone was waiting for, Rifles. Once we arrived in the lineup
out in the distance we saw a very small dark cloud forming in the west
meaning the wind could switch and turn offshore for Rifles
We got all the guests ready in the boat and when the wind switched it was one of the best feelings we had ever shared
When the wind went strong offshore and the first big set rolled through we all watched from the boat as a Rifles wave peeled down the reef…the waves just kept on coming
All the guests scrambled to grab their boards and get in the water as fast as they could
I remember this moment when one of the guests paddled straight to the peak and turned on one of the biggest sets of the day
I remember putting my hands up at the end of the reef while watching him get barreled four consecutive times on the same wave all the way down to me
Luke – “I remember the feeling of pulling out of the mangrove
holding a “beng beng” and a Pocari sweat in each hand and feeling the cold breeze on my back begin to slow down while quickly turning the ocean into a sheet of glass
I looked up to the sky and a low grumble of thunder crackled right above me
From howling south winds to not even the smallest gust
I recall pulling around the bend of the island and seeing the most clean
flawless waves I had ever seen begin to touch the stretch of reef where Rifles breaks
and they freight trained all the way down to the finish
I looked at Jake in the corner of my eye as he was seeing the exact same thing
Both of us caught some of the best waves of our lives during that session
but the experience of riding them together
and shared passion is what keeps drawing us back to Kandui
we're not just doing a job – we're living our dream and helping others live theirs too
Another pretty funny fact is that the two of us have each learned how to stitch each other up after we wipe out on the reef or get a fin slash
One of us is better than the other (Luke) which means that the better stitcher has the worse looking scars
Kandui Resort serves as a focal point for when surfers get injured they tend to come and try to get stitched up on the island
We have had some wild jungle surgery sessions all while wearing board shorts and usually shirtless
We have our rubber gloves on and have helped pinched together some absolutely gnarly reef cuts and scrapes
One of the worst was when one of the local coconut harvesters came in after having stepped on a mangrove shoot that ended up going right through both ends of his foot
Only problem was that he had just kept it wrapped in an old bandage and in a rubber boot for at least 2 months
he was climbing coconut trees with this actual 3 inch hole that you could see through
some clean bandages and handed him a Bintang…
Smiths: The surf in the Mentawais is like nowhere we’ve ever experienced
The area around the resort is filled with countless nooks and crannies
and around each corner is another world class wave
Just out front of the resort on our side of the island are 10+ waves
and just a short boat ride away opens the door to another 15+
The closest thing you can describe the power of waves of the Mentawais to is the North Shore of Oahu
Imagine a stretch of islands perfectly in place and scattered between a 200 mile radius
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I imagine you’re getting it all super dialed
Are you speaking the language?Smiths: After spending the last 6 years in Indonesia
we have strived to “master” the language of “Bahasa Indonesia.” The native Mentawai people speak in their own dialect of the universal language called “Mentawaian” and after spending countless trips at Kandui we managed to speak a little
One of our favorite parts of being able to work at Kandui is connecting and working alongside the local people
We regularly travel to the village of Malelimok
where most of the staff from Kandui are from
It has been great to connect with the locals on a deeper and deeper level and see the Mentawaiian culture in real life
Another really cool aspect of Kandui is when the local Shaman dancers come down from their villages way up in the jungle and perform at the end of the night each trip
We are grateful for this connection and to be able to witness their extraordinary culture and way of life
One of our favorite Mentawaiian words we use a lot during the day with our local friends is “Mantap” which translates to “Awesome”
Another really cool connection we made on our first trip to Kandui was with professional surfer and surfboard shaper Coby Perkovich
we managed to break all 12 of our surfboards
Coby realized our situation and was generous enough to leave a couple new boards he shaped for himself with us to have and try out
Within the first couple days of riding his boards they instantly clicked beneath our feet
he invited us to his home on the Gold Coast of Australia
He was kind enough to shape us a quiver of 10 boards
while teaching us along the way how surfboards are made
This really opened our eyes to work shapers put into their craft and all the different steps it takes for a board to be made
Surfer: What’s been some of the lessons you two have picked up from all of this?Smiths: A big step in surf guiding is understanding the conditions around each wave— from microclimate weather systems
wave size and many more variables that go into swells
each wave in the area has its own pieces that make it work
there are dozens of waves scattered around each little island
We've spent tons of time studying the different conditions and variables at each wave
It's a great feeling when you predict the weather and swells correctly
then pull up on the boat to the most perfect waves
and everyone is catching their waves of the trip
Another big takeaway from working at Kandui is understanding how to communicate efficiently
Throughout our time it was easy for mishaps or miscommunication to happen between different people
we’ve realized clear communication is so vital
Whether we're organizing plans with the boat crew the night before
discussing itineraries and matching guests with appropriate boats and surf spots based on their skill levels
or providing constant updates on surf conditions throughout the day
our job involves extensive coordination and communication to ensure everyone gets the best possible surfing experience
Lastly the biggest thing we took from this experience was understanding how a five star resort was efficiently run
leading to us partially managing the resort from time to time
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Surfer: Lastly, what's next? Smiths: After spending the summer surf guiding at Kandui, we have our eyes focused on this upcoming winter season at Nazaré. This will be our fourth season in a row. This past year we had the opportunity to be mentored by the Guinness World Record holder for the biggest wave ever surfed
Being part of his team offered us an inside look at what it truly takes to perform at an elite level in big wave surfing
It wasn't just about catching waves; it was about understanding the strategy
and mental resilience needed to push beyond limits
Sebastian’s mentorship went far beyond the physical aspects of surfing
and approach each wave with the right balance of confidence and caution
and more will be decided at the 2024 SURFER Big Wave Challenge in Nazaré
Here’s how you can watch the awards this weekend
“It’s important in that this is the first fresh investment in big wave surfing in a long time,” Bill Sharp said of the minted $150K prize purse that’ll be handed out this weekend to a select crew of big wave surfers for putting in the hard yards in the second rendition of the Big Wave Challenge
that “none of these big wave surfers are doing it to win the prize money,” Sharp continued
and then they have their own deals going on
But to get a trophy and another chunk of cash
it’s more about the opportunity for the big wave surfers and the content creators to be acknowledged for excellence in every category.”
For several months Bill and SURFER staff have reviewed dozens of rides from across the planet ridden from the summer of 2023 through the summer of 2024
We saw massive tubes caught solely with arm strength
Several women towed into the biggest peaks of their lives
Others got on a plane and scored again and again
several surfers and moments stood above the rest
the SURFER Big Wave Challenge will bestow the annual awards with a live show in Nazaré
Nazaré in the early season each year is totally reminiscent of the North Shore in the 1970s and ’80s when Oahu was the center of the surfing world each winter,” Sharp explained earlier this year
That camaraderie is what’s happening in Nazaré now.”
and Young Gun are up for grabs in Portugal
There’s a men’s and women’s division for the first four categories
Tune in this weekend to find out the champs
The show will be streamed live on Surfer.com
Time and day will depend on your time zone
Brazilian Big Wave Skimboarder Lucas Fink Has 6 Critical TipsHow to prep for Nazaré straight from someone who has done it (without fins)
Towing into the monstrous waves of Nazaré isn't for everyone. The Portuguese beach break boasts 7 of the 10 biggest surfed waves ever recorded
As if surfing the wave wasn't already crazy enough
Brazilian professional skimboarder Lucas Fink decided to give it a go on a skimboard — finless
Fink made a name for himself by fearlessly towing into Nazaré giants
Now he's earned his stripes and has a couple of seasons under his belt
He's learned a few tricks of the trade
I caught up with Lucas to understand what it's like to prepare for a Nazaré season
and hear what advice he would give to those who are looking to break into one of the world's most dangerous lineups
Lucas: Know what you are getting yourself into
you may get out there and be in for a shock
It’s just a reality check when you arrive there
YouTube videos don’t do justice. You have to go out there on a really big day and see it from the cliff with your own eyes. Once you see it from the cliff I would recommend hitting up Nazaré Water Fun
They can take you in the water so you can see the waves up close and personal
Then you can really see what you are getting yourself into
Setting up all of the logistics was very important for me to get connected with the wave
If the waves get a little bigger you might need a second Jet Ski with another driver to keep you safe
You might need a specific board for a certain day
and the environment was very useful for me
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there are a lot of people surfing out there at once
When it comes to preparation, not just for Nazaré, but for all big wave surfing, you shouldn’t be just aiming to surf. Towing is a team sport with the Jet Ski driver and the surfer. Usually, they will change positions, so both people need to know how to surf and drive
If you are part of a team you can split the costs and save money
as opposed to hiring people to do all the services for you
If you become a good driver it will be way easier to mix up between teams
Get ready because it’s expensive — the maintenance
You definitely need to have a good budget to chase big waves
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
On top of that, The Nazaré Big Wave Challenge is an event as unique as the break it takes place at
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
surfers are recognized across three categories: Men’s Best 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
The Nazaré Big Wave Challenge is wrapped, and it was an event to remember. With waves in the 25-35 foot range, Praia do Norte in Nazaré
Some of the world’s best big wave surfers were there to showcase their talents in consistent conditions that served up exciting heats from start to finish
the wind added an extra layer of difficulty
“The strong offshore wind made it more challenging
with competitors having to navigate huge bumps while traveling full speed down the massive faces,” the WSL wrote in a press release
“As the swell started to build throughout the afternoon
the teams took their performance to the next level by treating the crowds to a spectacular show of skill and commitment that Praia do Norte demands.”
Performers of note were Clement Roseyro and Justine Dupont
both of whom earned Best Performance awards
was the runner-up in the Performance category
while newcomer Ben Larg — to this particular event — landed on the podium after Garrett McNamara wasn’t able to compete and Larg stepped into his spot with Andrew Cotton
and her experience with partner Eric Rebiere showed
Nic von Rupp and Clemente Roseyro won the Best Team Performance award after taking an early lead in the first heat
Roseyro used von Rupp’s towing skill to unleash his talents on the huge faces
Nic was pushing the limits even harder than he usually does
A few heavy wipeouts didn’t dissuade him from leaving everything on the field
but I pushed really hard,” von Rupp reflected
We’re stoked Clement got two good scores today to get on top of the leaderboard.”
Full results can be found at WorldSurfLeague.com
It’s been a big year for Nazaré. Of course, that’s always true to some degree for Praia do Norte, being home to the biggest wave in the world. However, this January saw one of the biggest swells in years
the season was significant not only in the raw size of the mountains of water bearing down on Portugal
but also the achievements of the surfers riding them
To celebrate all that, Portuguese big wave charger (and Nazaré regular) Nic von Rupp just posted a video (filmed by Tim Bonython and Eduardo Vento) with an eye-catching slow motion ode to just what a crazy year it’s been
“Nazaré just had its biggest season in history,” he explained in the caption
and the Mountains of the Sea team was there for every moment – training nonstop and claiming the championship.”
Follow Garrett McNamara and a group of the world's best big wave surfers as they descend on Nazaré to catch the biggest swell of the..
Unlocked: Jai Glindeman’s Stab Edit Of The Year Entry
The Electric Acid Surfboard Test With Dave Rastovich
Justine Dupont and 19% of the field claim victory at Tudor Big Wave Challenge
you can take an organized tour of Portugal.
a bus will cart you and a handful of other dying individuals around the nation for a week
You’ll listen to fado in Lisbon
And admire the world’s biggest wave* at Nazaré.
Understanding that Nazaré is a stop on tours like this is fundamental in understanding the Tudor Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
As a ghost of the WSL’s formerly global big wave tour
Naz lingers as an annual tow-only event funded by a Swiss watch company
and a bunch of other companies that couldn’t give a fuck about Noa Deane’s new film.
Eighteen invitees were split into nine teams of two
After 4-and-half hours and enough fuel burned to make Taylor Swift blush
Awards would also be given out for the best male and female performers of the day.
Now, the essential question for a big wave event: How big was it
I noticed a peak to the north churning out what looked like the day’s most impressive waves
I knew the swell was quite west today (by PT standards
I knew you needed some west to make the canyon do its thing
And I wondered if the swell was so west that the canyon effect generated bigger teepees down the beach than out in front of the cliff.
I opened the compass app on my phone to better understand where this swell was coming from. And I noticed that my elevation on the cliff was 104 feet above sea level
Prove to me that one is legitimately as tall as the cliff
and I’ll buy you all the Guinness you want.
This year, Nic Von Rupp and Clement Roseyro’s team won. Clement, a former World Longboard Tour competitor, won the men’s best performer (on a board made from recycled airplane parts no less)
while Justine Dupont — who gave birth to a son just over a year ago — won the women’s
All up, it was semi-fun to watch — at least from the cliff with a beer in your hand. Still
my favorite moment came at the end of the day
And the lineup was completely empty. Normally
conditions like this would see 50+ skis out
I was surprised that somebody whose invite got lost in the mail didn’t give it a crack.
it felt like an era of Nazaré I never knew
Before a local bodyboarder sent an email to Garret fucking McNamara and changed the entire dynamic of a foggy little town and bizarrely created a strange sect of surfing along the way.
People really do devote their lives to doing this well
it is an impressive thing to do. But also
it’s OK for both those statements to be true and still result in you well and truly not giving a fuck
nominees and local Nazare surfers mug it up
Lights, camera, action, surf celebrities. On Saturday, October 19, a literal who's who of big-wave surfing strode up to Cine Teatro in the heart of Nazare, Portugal, to gather for the 2024 SURFER Big Wave Challenge
it was a colorful cast of characters all in one place
all the beautiful people showed up with big
And to answer the reoccurring question of why a blue carpet and not a red carpet
this party was for those folks that are a bit more blue minded
With the colorful lights and on-point event design
set against the backdrop of an ancient fishing village
You can dig into the complete results from the awards here. And if you're looking for something to watch, tune into the complete live show here
keep scrolling for 20 of our favorite photos from a very fine night in what's quickly becoming the capital of the big-wave world
Between January 25 and 30, 2025, Nazaré witnessed extreme wave conditions due to Storm Hermínia. The forecasts were promising, and we promptly sent email alerts via our alert system, as well as published updates in the alerts section of the website
Although forecasts fluctuated (sometimes very strong
we updated the information whenever possible
The extreme waves at the end of January were confirmed and did not disappoint
highlighting waves that fill the Nazaré landscape
Check the photo dates in the upper right corner (click to enlarge)
The giant waves started arriving on January 25 with an impressive surf session
but the spectacle of nature's power was incredible
On January 28, the swell reached its peak, as shown in the images and videos from that day. Strong winds made it even more challenging for surfers, with only a few daring to enter the ocean. Watch Above Creators' video showcasing the extreme power of the swell. And also check out the Surfing Visions video
focusing more on the power and beauty of the Nazaré waves during this very strong swell
Adverse conditions led Nic Von Rupp to break his teeth during this period. Check out his post on Instagram
the wind shifted to a more favorable direction
Watch Nic Von Rupp's incredible January 30 report with a unique sea-level perspective at minute 6
Check out another raw video from January 30 featuring spectacular footage, including a terrifying wipeout and even kitesurfing on giant waves. Watch it here
During these days, the Above Creators project also created an interesting video about tourists visiting Nazaré and what motivates them to come. Watch their responses from visitors around the world
In early February 2025, a new powerful swell arrived in Nazaré, exceeding expectations. With less storm activity, it allowed for impressive surf sessions between February 2 and 5. Watch the February 3 surf session
Big wave surfer Maya Gabeira, record holder for the largest wave surfed by a woman (22.4 meters), announced her retirement. Watch the video where she makes the announcement
including that unforgettable day when she was left floating unconscious after a giant wipeout
Meanwhile, the documentary series "100 Foot Wave", which follows the quest to surf a 30-meter wave in Nazaré, has announced its third season for spring 2025
Forecasts for February 2025 suggest more giant waves in Nazaré. Stay updated with alerts on our website and subscribe to email alerts
See below the webcam photos capturing the giant waves of late January 2025
allowing you to observe the wave evolution throughout January 28 (click to enlarge)
Laura Crane is much more than a former Love Island TV star
Since she removed herself from the show’s cameras and drama in 2018
a village on the west-facing coastline of North Devon
She first surfed on the North Shore of Oahu when she was 15
where she surfed up and down the coastline
including at Nazaré (“But only like 2 or 3 meters,” she said)
the 29-year-old decided to take a step up the Nazaré ladder
Laura partnered with former CT surfer and Nazare stalwart Eric Rebiere
and they trained their butts off for three months
she strapped in and got her first taste of the wave’s tow-in magnitude
“That was the day I fell in love,” Laura said
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Laura waited on the backup jetski for hours
by far the biggest waves I had ever seen in my life and so so clean,” she said
“It was my first ‘proper day’ as Eric said
He was surfing with Sebastian (Steudtner) that session and I was on Sebastian’s backup ski in the channel just watching everyone get beautiful big waves
I remember Joao Macedo coming up to me asking if I had a wave yet and saying to him if the time comes I’ll be ready
not sure at that point if I would even get a shot on the rope
Three hours later I was still in the channel
Seb got on the backup ski and before I even had time to think Eric picked me up to go find one
We head straight to the first peak and the set of the day comes through
“Nic von Rupp and Joao got on the first one
‘Okay let’s go!’ and in Eric's style positioned me deepest
I couldn’t quite believe this wave was mine
I let go of the rope and everything just slowed down
You’re so present … I was steaming down the line when I remembered Eric said I better not just go straight
wrapped it back into the pocket and saw how big that thing was (laughs)
That wave meant more to me than anything in my career
all the work I had put in paid off and the feeling of smashing that glass ceiling I had over me.”
Most waves have been around since long before surfers even existed
Many of them will still be there long after we’re gone
and of course our own pursuits in the water
Tunnel vision can turn surf breaks into just a venue in which to practice our hobby or
one also can’t help but take a step back every once in a while
just to marvel at the vast scale of even the smallest corner of the ocean
In the case of extreme surf videographer Tim Bonython
“Nazare is principally a small fishing village that became world famous for its big waves and the people that ride them,” wrote Bonython in the caption
“This edit is not about the surfers but the beauty in the power of these incredible monster waves
When the ocean pushes out of the Nazare canyon to create the incredible cinematic moments
this video is (a tribute to) the beauty and the power
shot on one of the biggest swells to hit Nazare this winter season.”