Explained: The TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge Competition Format

For anyone seeking heart-pounding action, the Big Wave season is the time where surfers push the boundaries of what's possible on every single ride. Take a look below at how these hard-charging men and women will be competing at Nazaré after they drop everything and risk it all for the ride of a lifetime.

Format

• 9 Teams divided into 3 groups.
• There will be 6 heats x 50 minutes each. Each group shall participate in 2 heats.
• Heat 1: Group A.
• Heat 2: Group B.
• Heat 3: Group C.
• Heat 4: Group A.
• Heat 5: Group B.
• Heat 6: Group C.
• See the official Heat Draw.

A surfer's best 2 waves after surfing both heats will count to an individual total score and a surfer's best wave will count for double points. A surfer's maximum individual total score is 30 points using a scoring scale from 1-10 points for any single wave.

A priority system will be in use and teammates can swap position between surfers and ski driver at any time regardless of round.

Here are the tow-in surfing teams for the TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge presented by Jogos Santa Casa. - WSL / Brady Lawrence

Leaderboard

• Individual Leaderboard: Total of best 2 scoring waves (maximum 30 points).
• Team Leaderboard: Total of best 2 scoring waves of both team rider's waves (maximum 60 points).

Awards

• Award for Best Performance, Men: Total of best 2 scoring waves.
• Award for Best Performance, Women: Total of best 2 scoring waves.
• Award for Best Team Performance: Total of best 2 scoring waves of both team riders.
• Jogos Santa Casa Most Committed Award.

The 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Performer of the Year Justine Dupont as seen bagging a bomb at Nazaré. - WSL / Helio Antonio