Surfing
Surfing
Get to know Lucas ‘Chumbo’ Chianca, Brazilian surfing’s latest superhero
Lucas ‘Chumbo’ Chianca secured back-to-back TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge victories in Portugal earlier this year – learn more about the Brazilian big wave surfer here.
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If you're new to the big wave surfing scene, you mightn't have heard of Lucas 'Chumbo' Chianca – but if you've ever taken an interest in the exploits of the mad folk who call Jaws, Nazaré and Mavericks home then you have no excuse at all.
Chumbo is from Saquarema in Brazil, known best as the backwash-prone beach break that's been the home of the Rio Pro, yet his surfing is from another realm altogether. Let's get to know him a little better.
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Chumbo dominated Portugal’s TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
3 min
Highlights
Check the highlights from the Nazaré Big Wave Challenge at the world-famous Praia do Norte in Portugal.
Chumbo, who has been a longtime standout at the behemoth wave at the mouth of Portugal's most notorious ocean canyon, is already a five-time winner at Nazaré. In 2024, he once again shone with an exceptional performance and secured the prize for the best men's performance for the second year in a row. “This is a dream for me," he said about that big win that you can watch in the video player above. "I never thought I would win so many times here!”
Despite a last-minute partner change of partner following injury an injury to Kai Lenny, Chianca teamed up with compatriot Pedro 'Scooby' Vianna. Their synergy was evident as they identified the best waves in the dynamic line-up, ultimately earning the Brazilian duo the top spot in the team's Best Performance Award.
Lucas Chianca wins Best Male Performance at TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
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Meet Team Young Bulls
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January swells at Nazaré
Alex Laurel captures the world's bravest surfers charging into the peaks at the famed Portuguese big wave spot.
Chumbo’s profile shot up when he partnered with Kai Lenny at the 2020 Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge. So impressive were the pair's performances in that event that they were dubbed Team Young Bulls, and even though the two surfers have been sparring partners for years, an iconic dynamic duo was born that day in Portugal. Together Lenny and Chumbo were crowned Team Champions, while Kai, towed in by Chumbo, also won Men's Wave Of The Day. We'll keep our fingers crossed and hope that Lenny makes a comeback soon, too.
2020 Commitment Award winner Alemão de Maresias with Kai, Chumbo, Justine
© WSL/Poullenot
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The Fresh Princes of Saquarema
João Chianca shines on the day of days at his local
© Felipe Azevedo
Chumbo is but one of two amazing Chiancas from Saquarema. While Lucas is best known for his exploits on the Big Wave World Tour, younger brother João took the surfing world by storm on his rookie run through this year's Championship Tour. We first met João in 2019, when No Contest host Ashton Goggans samba danced across the sands of Saquarema in one of our favourite ever episodes of the show.
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Rio Pro 2019
Join host Ashton Goggins as he takes you on a whistle-stop tour of the city ahead of the Rio Pro.
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Chumbo was on Big Brother
Lucas ‘Chumbo’ Chianca in Rio de Janeiro
© Marcelo Maragni/Red Bull Content Pool
The then-eligible bachelor competed in the Brazilian version of Big Brother in 2020. He came last. Oh well.
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Proud dad and Chumbo Junior
In far better news, Chumbo is a father after his partner Moni Sealves gave birth to baby Maitê in 2022. Congratulations guys! Get a glimpse into how the Brazilian waterman balanced chasing heavy waves around the world with becoming a father for the first time in Chumbo: Made for Big Wave Surfing by watch the video in the player at the top of this page.
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Want more Chumbo and co?
Chumbo and his fellow surfers has featured in many edits, and we've embedded some of our favourites below. Stay tuned for Why We Go, which promises to be the best series he's starred in yet.
Lucas Chumbo’s winter at Nazaré
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Lucas Chumbo’s winter at Nazaré
Lucas Chumbo relives his, and Young Bulls partner Kai Lenny’s, winter highlights at Nazaré.
Sessions: Nazaré day of the season
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Sessions: Nazaré day of the season
It’s been a winter of dangerously big swells, but this one took things to the next level.
Watch Kai Lenny's mastery at Jaws
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Watch Kai Lenny's mastery at Jaws
On a day when Jaws was at its peak, Kai Lenny showed up and put on one of the best surfing performances ever seen at the famous big wave in Maui, Hawaii.
December 2018 at Mavericks
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December 2018 at Mavericks
After a long spell of meagre swell, California's premiere big wave woke up in December 2018 to deliver days of pumping waves.
Mavericks hosts the world's best big wave surfers
9 min
Mavericks host the world's best big wave surfers
After years of quiet, California's Mavericks unleashes huge waves for the world's best big wave surfers.
Hurricane Epsilon swell in Nazaré
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Hurricane Epsilon swell in Nazaré
The Nazaré big wave season kicks off with a bang as Hurricane Epsilon brings a historic swell to the shore.
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