NAZARÉ, Portugal (Tuesday, February 18, 2025) – The World Surf League (WSL) TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge has been called ON and will start at 11:00 a.m. GMT at Praia do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal. Eighteen of the best big wave surfers received the call to compete in this one-day, tow-in teams event with waves in the 25-35 foot range.
Fans and extreme sports enthusiasts worldwide can experience every heart-pounding moment LIVE on Red Bull TV and WorldSurfLeague.com.
“We’ve waited for the tide to drop, and the swell to increase, and now we expect excellent conditions for today’s Big Wave competitive surfing,” said Rob Gunning, WSL Europe Tour Manager.
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).
Coming up in Heat 2, 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.
In today’s event, 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. Each wave is scored from 0.1 to 10, making the maximum individual score 30 points. At the end of the event, surfers will be recognized across the following award categories:
• Men’s Best Performance: Male surfer with the highest two scoring waves
• Women’s Best Performance: Female surfer with the highest two scoring waves
• Best Team Performance: Total of best two scoring rides of both team riders
Heat 1, Group A
Team 2: Nic Von Rupp (POR), Clement Roseyro (FRA)
Team 6: Kai Lenny (HAW), Ian Walsh (HAW)
Team 8: Justine Dupont (FRA), Eric Rebiere (FRA)
Heat 2, Group B
Team 1: Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca (BRA), Pedro “Scooby” Vianna (BRA)
Team 5: Andrew Cotton (GBR), Ben Larg (SCO)
Team 7: Michelle des Bouillons (BRA), Ian Cosenza (BRA)
Heat 3, Group C
Team 3: Rodrigo Koxa (BRA), Vitor Faria (BRA)
Team 4: Rafael Tapia (CHL), Pierre Rollet (FRA)
Team 9: Laura Crane (GBR), Antonio Laureano (POR)
Heat 4, Group A
Team 2: Nic Von Rupp (POR), Clement Roseyro (FRA)
Team 6: Kai Lenny (HAW), Ian Walsh (HAW)
Team 8: Justine Dupont (FRA), Eric Rebiere (FRA)
Heat 5, Group B
Team 1: Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca (BRA), Pedro “Scooby” Vianna (BRA)
Team 5: Andrew Cotton (GBR), Ben Larg (SCO)
Team 7: Michelle des Bouillons (BRA), Ian Cosenza (BRA)
Heat 6, Group C
Team 3: Rodrigo Koxa (BRA), Vitor Faria (BRA)
Team 4: Rafael Tapia (CHL), Pierre Rollet (FRA)
Team 9: Laura Crane (GBR), Antonio Laureano (POR)
