Nazaré Big Wave Challenge Goes on Yellow Alert for 'Probable' Monday Start

A yellow alert has been issued for the "TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge" set in Nazaré, Portugal, which has entered a waiting period from November 6th!

According to Surfline, a west-northwest swell is expected to enter Nazaré from late January 21st local time, reaching its peak between the 22nd and 23rd.

Good conditions can be expected as the wind is ideal offshore.

BWT's 2023/2024 season features two races: the TUDOR Jaws Big Wave Challenge, set in Nazare and Maui's Jaws (Peʻahi).

The format of the two races is different, with Nazaré being a toe-in team match.

Jaws will be an individual paddle competition.

Will the strongest duo of Kai Lenny and Brazilian Chambo, Lucas Cianca, dominate this season?

Wait for the green alert that tells you 48 hours before the event!

The competitors for this year’s event are as follows:

TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge Invitees*:

*Teams subject to change ahead of Green Alert/Run Day

Team 1: Lucas Chianca (BRA) and Kai Lenny (HAW)

Team 2: Nic von Rupp (PRT) and Pedro Scooby (BRA)

Team 3: Andrew Cotton (GBR) and Will Skudin (USA)

Team 4: Rodrigo Koxa (BRA) and Kealii Mamala (HAW)

Team 5: João De Macedo (PRT) and Antônio Silva (PRT)

Team 6: Sebastian Steudtner (DEU) and Daniel Goldberg (HAW)

Team 7: Maya Gabeira (BRA) and Antonio Laureano (PRT)

Team 8: Michelle des Bouillons (BRA) and Ian Cosenza (PRT)

Team 9: Justine Dupont (FRA) and Éric Rebière (FRA)

Alternate Teams:

Rafael Tapia (CHL) and Jamie Mitchell (AUS)

António Laureano (PRT) and Pierrot Caley (FRA)

Benjamin Sanchis (FRA) Jerome Sayhoun (MAR)

Grant ‘Twig’ Baker won the Nazare Challenge

South African Grant ‘Twig’ Baker won the Nazare Challenge, the first event on the 2018 / 19 World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Tour (BWT), in huge 25 to 40 foot waves at Nazare in Portugal.

“I’m really happy to win here at Nazare,” said Baker on exiting the water. “I have spent the last six weeks here with my family, Kate and Billi, surfing every day in one foot to 20 foot waves and it has certainly helped me know more about the break.

“I’d like to thank all my fellow competitors. We all love riding big waves and the vibe out there was incredible. Everyone was sharing waves, everybody knew whose turn it was, it was epic.”

South Africa's surfer Grant Baker in action during the Nazare Challenge 2018/2019

He thus pipped Brazilian finalist Lucas Chianca and Spaniard Natxo Gonzalez from the Basque region, who came in second and third respectively.

Nazaré Challenge Highlights:

Final Results:

1. Grant ‘Twig’ Baker (ZAF, Durban)

2. Lucas ‘Chumbo’ Chianca (BRA)

3. Natxo Gonzalez (Basque)

4. Alex Botelho (PRT)

5. Joao de Macedo (PRT)

6. Russell Bierke (AUS)

Nazare Challenge Big Wave Tour Event