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Justine Dupont and Lucas Chianca reign supreme at Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
Justine Dupont, Lucas Chianca, Nic von Rupp and Clement Roseyro take top honours at 2025-2026 Nazaré Big Wave Challenge, as Praia do Norte delivers some of the biggest waves ever seen in competition.
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2025-2026 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
Justine Dupont, Lucas Chianca, Nic von Rupp and Clement Roseyro have once again walked away victorious from the TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge, as the Atlantic Ocean served up monstrous seas for more than 10,000 spectators lining the northern headland of Nazare’s Praia do Norte.
2025 winners Nic von Rupp, Lucas Chianca, Justine Dupont, Clement Roseyro
© Manel Geada/World Surf League
The 2025-2026 edition of the world’s most prestigious tow-surfing event ran in some of the biggest waves ever seen in competition, with faces ranging from 40-50ft and conditions pushing competitors and safety crews to their limits.
The Farol da Nazaré – longtime witness to some of surfing's wildest scenes
© Damien Poullenot/World Surf League
While a power outage saw the final results determined by the standings after the first of two scheduled rounds, there was nothing surprising about the names of the four surfers left atop the podium after another memorable Nazaré day.
Perennial big wave standout Chianca opened proceedings in spectacular fashion, taking off on an enormous peak in the northern corner of the beach in the first few minutes of the first heat. Heading left, the Brazilian hit chop and was sent flying into the air before the monstrous wave engulfed him, sucking him up and over with the lip, then holding him underwater for nearly 30-seconds.
Chianca surfaced perilously close to the base of the cliff, where big wave legend Sebastian Steudtner was thankfully in the perfect position to effect an immediate rescue, whisking Chianca back to the safety of dry land with military precision.
Lucas Chianca's nightmare wipeout at the 2025 Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
© Damien Poullenot/World Surf League
That was one of the heaviest wipeouts of my life, that was a real one. I want to thank Sebastian Steudtner for picking me up right in front of the rocks, he saved my life.
After locking in an 8.00 ride for his wild wipeout Chianca didn’t spend long on the beach, heading straight back out with his tow-partner, fellow Brazilian Pedro Vianna, going down hard and getting sucked over the falls once again. Never perturbed, the Brazilian warrior once again re-entered the lineup and whipped into another bomb, this time riding away with a 7.60.
Pedro Vianna standing tall at the base of a Nazaré Big Wave Challenge beast
© Damien Poullenot/World Surf League
Another Nazaré day, another Nazaré trophy for Brazilian star Lucas Chianca
© Damien Poullenot/World Surf League
In the first heat Viana recorded a 21.80 two-wave total, while Chianca sat in the lead with a score of 23.60. When competition was ultimately called off early, Chianca narrowly beat von Rupp by 0.14 points, enough to secure him the Male Performance Award. “The day started really gnarly,” admitted Chianca, “but we tried our best. Pedro put me on some bombs, and I put him on some bombs. One more time, Nazaré put on a show, and thank you to everyone.”
While von Rupp will take some consolation in claiming the day’s best wave, an 8.33 for riding out of a mammoth whitewater explosion, and the Team Performance award alongside tow-partner Roseyro, the Portuguese surfer was hungry for the individual win, and was left frustrated with the tiny scoring difference between the wave he rode out of, and the wave Chianca fell on.
Nic von Rupp wins back-to-back Best Team Performance with Clement Roseyro
© Damien Poullenot/World Surf League
Nevertheless, von Rupp was all class onstage afterwards. “Nazaré is living its best moments right now,” he said. “Not only with the crowd, with the competition and the incredible surfers like Lucas Chianca and Pedro Scooby, but also surfers that aren’t even in this event. I’m so proud to be here, and to win again is the cherry on top.”
Von Rupp’s partner Roseyro finished with a 21.99 two-wave total of his own, enough to wrap up the team’s trophy and secure third place individually. “It was an insane, crazy day,” said the Frenchman. “Nic got a few bombs, I got a few bombs, everyone is safe. It’s a happy day!”
Justine Dupont wins Best Women's Performance at Nazaré for a second time
© Lauren Masuel/World Surf League
“It was a crazy day, and I’m happy with the win,” said Justine Dupont, also from France, who hoisted her fifth Nazaré trophy, and second straight Female Performance award. The former Championship Tour surfer relocates to Portugal with her family each winter, and now stands head and shoulders above the field as the undisputed Queen Of Nazare.
Dupont’s surfing was textbook; perfect wave selection with tow-partner Eric Ribiere allowing her to use her strength and self-assuredness to draw confident clean lines, and kick out safely in the channel after every ride. Her best two waves were a 6.9 (doubled) and a 6.07, which saw her finish on a 19.87 total, out of 30, to take the win from Brazil’s Michelle des Bouillons, 17.5, with Great Britain’s Laura Crane, 11.93, finishing in third.
Portuguese surfing's field of dreams, Nazaré's Praia do Norte
© Manel Geada/World Surf League
With another chapter written in the history of the Nazaré Big Wave Challenge, competitors will keep pushing their big wave surfing for the rest of the Northern Hemisphere winter, while remembering this year’s event for a long time to come. So good were the waves that even with only one round being held, winning totals in every division were better. “Thanks to Nazaré for putting on a show,” said Chianca, “and to the WSL for making this happen.”
2025-2026 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge results
Men
- Lucas Chianca (BRA) – 23.60/30
- Nic von Rupp (POR) 23.46/30
- Clement Roseryo (FRA) – 21.99/30
- Pedro Scooby (BRA) 21.80/30
Women
- Justine Dupont (FRA) – 19.87/30
- Michelle des Bouillons (BRA) – 17.50/30
- Laura Crane (ENG) – 11.93/30
Teams
- Nic von Rupp (POR), Clement Roseryo (FRA) – 45.46/60
- Lucas Chianca (BRA0, Pedro Scooby (BRA) – 45.40/60
- Andrew Cotton (ENG), James Carew (AUS) – 35.04/60
- Rodrigo Koxa (BRA), Vitor Faria (BRA) – 30.70/60
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2024-2025 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
Justine Dupont, Clement Roseryo and Nic von Rupp win big in Portugal
© Laurent Masurel/World Surf League
Justine Dupont tames a Nazaré giant
© Hugo Silva/Red Bull Content Pool
French surfers Clement Roseyro and Justine Dupont claimed the Male and Female Performance Awards at the 2025 edition of the TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge, with Roseyro also taking out top honours in the Team Performance Award, alongside Portugal’s Nic Von Rupp.
Praia do Norte served up six thrilling hours of competition for surfers and spectators alike, with waves ranging from 25-35ft (7.5-10.5m), and conditions getting better as the day rolled on.
Justine Dupont going large on her way to a 4th Nazare trophy
© Laurent Masurel/World Surf League
Dupont’s two-wave total of 19.06 out of 30.00 was enough to secure her fourth Nazaré title, though this one was extra special as it was her first since becoming a mother.
"I used to have a lot of fear before,” said Dupont after the win. “Now, after the baby, I'm more worried about my child, whether they're sleeping or eating. At least it takes my mind off the fear! We're a family team, we understand each other and I'm really happy to be back here to perform.”
With Dupont’s recent participation in The Eddie Aikau Invitational and a string of memorable performances at a global bucket list of big waves, this Nazaré win is further confirmation that she stands alone as the world's finest female big wave surfer, and sits comfortably among the best big wave surfers on the planet, period.
Clement Roseryo on his way to victory at the Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
© Laurent Masurel/World Surf League
For Roseryo, who secured the Men's Best Performance Award in just his second TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge appearance with an individual score of 21.83 out of 30, victory in front of surfing’s most famous fort was a dream come true.
Clement Roseyro and Nic von Rupp celebrated their shared success
© Manel Gaeda/World Surf League
“I can’t believe it! Last year we finished second and I watched this presentation from just over there,” the Frenchman said from the victory dais, “and this time I’m on top of the podium! I’m super happy, I’m super proud!”
Nazaré devotee von Rupp’s relief at finally taking a win that has eluded him for so long was clear, as he took to the podium draped in a Portuguese flag.
The pride and passion of Nic von Rupp at Nazaré could power Portugal
© Manel Gaeda/World Surf League
And, of course, this is for Portugal!
“It’s been blood, sweat and tears for 10 years, 15 years,” beamed von Rupp. “Nazaré is such an important place for us and this season we put it all on the line in the water whether it’s 6ft, 100ft, onshore, offshore. Two weeks ago we had one of the biggest swells ever and we were the first out there.
"This means a lot to us, we pushed the levels two weeks ago and now we pushed the levels to win today. Thanks to Clement for being such an incredible surfer, and the rest of the team for supporting us."
Lucas Chianca came 2nd individually and in the teams with Pedro Scooby
© Laurent Masurel/World Surf League
Defending back-to-back Best Men's Performance Award winner Lucas Chianca fought hard to finish in second place, while Big Wave Challenge debutant Ben Larg rounded out the men's podium.
"It was a really hard day," said Chianca. "The waves weren't that big, and with the wind, it was really bumpy." Ever gracious, he failed to mention that he suffered a broken ankle at Mavericks just six weeks ago.
Chianca and his partner Pedro Scooby finished second in the Team Performance Award, while Scotsman Larg and his English team-mate Andrew Cotton rounded out the placings. Larg, who came into the event as a last-minute replacement for Garrett McNamara, was thrilled to work with Nazaré veteran Cotton, and the two clicked as team-mates from the moment they were partnered up.
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Sad news for the day was English competitor Laura Crane getting hurt on her TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge debut. Also, perennial standout Kai Lenny arrived in Portugal but his bags did not, so he was forced to ride a five-year-old board he'd previously left in Portugal, he and partner Ian Walsh eventually finishing the day in fifth place.
Kai Lenny landed late, then took right back off again
© Laurent Masurel/World Surf League
2024-2025 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge results
Men
- Clement Roseryo (FRA) – 21.83/30
- Lucas Chianca (BRA) – 18.67/30
- Ben Larg (SCO) – 16.63/30
- Pedro Scooby (BRA) – 16.53/30
Women
- Justine Dupont (FRA) – 19.06/30
- Michelle des Bouillons (BRA) – 13.03/30
- Laura Crane (ENG) – 4.71/30
Teams
- Nic von Rupp (POR), Clement Roseryo (FRA) – 37.87/60
- Lucas Chianca (BRA0, Pedro Scooby (BRA) – 35.20/60
- Andrew Cotton (ENG), Ben Larg (SCO) – 31.72/60
- Justine Dupont (FRA0, Eric Rebiere (FRA) – 30.17/60
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2023-2024 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
The 2023-2024 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge was given the green light to run on Monday, January 22, as Portugal woke to a day of extra-large swells, light winds and clean waves breaking across the various peaks of Nazaré off the coast of the world-famous Praia do Norte.
Lucas Chianca wins Best Male Performance at TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
© World Surf League/Red Bull Content Pool
Brazilian surfer Lucas 'Chumbo' Chianca was once again the star of the show in Portugal, as this year's 40-foot high-performance conditions allowed him to showcase his incredible abilities. Although missing his usual tow partner, Kai Lenny, Chianca's Nazaré prowess is indomitable and not only did he look the best surfer in the water, but the most comfortable around the huge waves.
This is a dream for me, I never expected to win so many times here!
For the second year running Chianca claimed two trophies, winning Men’s Best Performance, and Team’s Best Performance, alongside countryman Pedro 'Scooby' Vianna. Their fellow Brazilian Maya Gabeira won the Women’s Best Performance Award for a second straight year, beating another the France-born but Brazil-raised Michelle des Bouillons.
“This is a dream for me, I never expected to win so many times here,” said Chianca after his win. “This place is magical, Nazaré has given me everything in my life. This win is probably the most special to me because we were a 100 percent Brazilian team.
Lucas Chianca and Pedro Scooby setting sail for success
© Hugo Silva / Red Bull Content Pool
"It was such a pleasure to tow with Scooby, one of the guys who pushed me, helped me and inspired me when I first started surfing big waves. I’m really happy to give him back a little bit with our performance today.”
Chianca is now a five-time winner at Nazaré, hoisting four trophies since it switched to a tow format, and one when it was a paddle event. The crowd went crazy whenever the Brazilian stood tall on the podium, with thousands of fans chanting his name from the top of the most famous fort in surfing.
Lucas Chianca, Pedro Scooby and Maya Gabeira sweep the field
© Hugo Silva/Red Bull Content Pool
2023-2024 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge results
Men
- Lucas Chianca (Brazil) – 23.33/30
- Clement Roseyro (France) – 21.51/30
- Rodrigo Coxa (Portugal) – 18.66/30
- Sebastian Steudtner (GER) 18.50/30
Women
- Maya Gabeira (Brazil) – 14.00/30
- Michelle des Bouillons (Brazil) – 9.83/30
Teams
- Pedro Scooby (Brazil), Lucas Chianca (Brazil) – 41.16/60
- Nic Von Rupp (Portugal), Clement Roseyro (France) – 37.18/60
- Rodrigo Koxa (Portugal), Vitor Faria (Brazil) – 35.79/60
- Pierre Rollet (France), Rafael Tapia (Chile) – 34.63/60
Re-watch every second of 2024’s TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge below:
TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge live
Watch in awe as the world’s best big wave surfers tackle the biggest waves in the world in Nazaré, Portugal.
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