Nazare Big Wave Challenge On Yellow Alert

It once hosted seven events per year but now the WSL's Big Wave Tour is one event strong.

That event, the Nazare Big Wave Challenge, is on yellow alert for a possible start tomorrow, Tuesday 18th.

Unlike past years, the Nazare Big Wave Challenge is now a tow-only event, with the men operating as an alternating team and the women surfers working with a driver.

Last year's men's event was won by Lucas Chianca and Pedro Scooby, with Maya Gabeira winning the women's.

Tuesday is expected to be 25-30 feet with a moderate southeast breeze, though the direction may prove troublesome for organisers. Refraction from the Nazare Canyon only occurs on northwest swells, yet tomorrow's swell is predicted to strike at approx. 285° - just 15° off pure west.

Organisers will make a call to green light the comp, or not, later today.

Comments

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Monday, 17 Feb 2025 at 9:06pm

Comp has the green light for tomorrow. Swell still seems too west but we'll see.

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Tuesday, 18 Feb 2025 at 6:28am

Yeah the swell is very west, not ideal at all. Wonder why they pulled the trigger?

crg's picture
crg's picture
crg Monday, 17 Feb 2025 at 10:10pm

The Woz can go from a small man made wave to the largest waves on earth and find a commonality of both barely being watchable.
They have a rare gift.

Remigogo's picture
Remigogo's picture
Remigogo Tuesday, 18 Feb 2025 at 1:11am

A rare gift indeed.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Tuesday, 18 Feb 2025 at 9:55pm

WSL seem to have discontinued their Samsung TV app (was def there last season), and this event isn't listed on their YouTube TV channel (weird, as there is a category for the event, just no live stream), so I can't watch it on TV. Argh.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Tuesday, 18 Feb 2025 at 10:01pm

Looks like it's on the Red Bull TV app.

southernraw's picture
southernraw's picture
southernraw Tuesday, 18 Feb 2025 at 10:12pm

ahh fk, cheers Benno. Was wondering what was going on w youtube.
You'd have to call that another fail by the WSL. You'd think they'd be trying to reach the biggest audience in the easiest way possible.
Turns out, Red Bull clips your wings.