Yesterday, Swellnet posted a forecast for an XXXL swell hitting Nazare this weekend. Today the WSL has put the Nazare Challenge on Yellow Alert, however it's not quite the blood sport it seems.

Big Wave Tour Commissioner Mike Parsons is eyeing a minor storm that will precede the weekend's behemoth. Paddle entry should be possible as the swell, which will hit on Friday, will be much smaller than what's expected on Sunday.

At present, Nazare should be 12-15 feet on Friday, though there's always the chance of a larger size range at Nazare owing to magnification.

Though Friday's swell will be overshadowed by Sunday's - and likely overshadowed in the media too - it has a few things going in its favour.

For one, the wind will be offshore from the SE, and it'll follow two days of very light winds which will smooth out all lingering chop. If the forecast holds, surface conditions could be as good as expected.

Also, the swell hits early morning and plateaus through the morning incresing the chances of running a full day of competition in similar conditions. If you remember, last year the contest ran in 30 foot+ waves only to be put on hold during Round 1. It was completed in 10 foot waves the next day.

Mike Parsons is watching the conditions closely and if they continue to align with predictions he'll give the Green Alert 48 hours out.

2018/2019 Nazaré Challenge Invitees:
Billy Kemper, Kai Lenny, Ian Walsh, Makuakai Rothman, Lucas Chianca, Jamie Mitchell, Tom Lowe, Alex Botelho, Greg Long, Natxo Gonzalez, Will Skudin, Grant Baker, Nathan Florence, Jojo Roper, Russell Bierke, João De Macedo, Rodrigo Koxa, Antonio Silva, Hugo Vau, Nic Von Rupp, João Guedes, Three WSL BWT Invitees TBD by WSL BWT Commissioner
Alternates: Ryan Hipwood, Andrew Cotton, Tom Butler, Axi Muniain