NAZARÉ, Portugal (Friday, January 19, 2024) - The TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge, one of two World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave season events, is on standby for a potential run day on Monday, January 22, 2024. With a large WNW swell and favorable winds headed toward Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal, there is high confidence that the event will run.
The WSL Tours and Competition team is closely monitoring the upcoming swell, watching for conditions that will produce waves within the competition range. If the conditions continue to track favorably, a Green Alert will be issued, meaning the competition will be ON, and fans can prepare to watch surfers push the limits of what is possible on one of the world's craziest waves. The next call will be made within the next 24 to 48 hours.
The TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge is a specialty, one-day event with tow-in surfing teams. There will be nine teams made up of two competitors on each team. The competition order for the teams will consist of three groups, with three teams competing in each group. The competition will host six 40-minute heats, and each group will participate in two heats, where the individuals within each team will alternate between surfing and driving the team's jet ski.
After surfing both heats, a surfer's best two waves will count toward an individual total score, with the best wave counting as double points. A surfer's maximum individual score will be 30 points, as each wave is scored from 1-10 points. Surfers will be awarded across multiple categories at the end of the competition day.
The WSL Big Wave season is in collaboration with Red Bull, marking the fifth consecutive year of the partnership. As a testament to Red Bull's unwavering commitment to Big Wave, fans and extreme sports enthusiasts worldwide can experience every heart-pounding moment LIVE via Red Bull TV and WorldSurfLeague.com.
**TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge Invitees**:
Teams subject to change ahead of Green Alert/Run Day
Team 1: Lucas Chianca (BRA) and Kai Lenny (HAW)
Team 2: Nic von Rupp (PRT) and Pedro Scooby (BRA)
Team 3: Andrew Cotton (GBR) and Will Skudin (USA)
Team 4: Rodrigo Koxa (BRA) and Kealii Mamala (HAW)
Team 5: João De Macedo (PRT) and Antônio Silva (PRT)
Team 6: Sebastian Steudtner (DEU) and Daniel Goldberg (HAW)
Team 7: Maya Gabeira (BRA) and Antonio Laureano (PRT)
Team 8: Michelle des Bouillons (BRA) and Ian Cosenza (PRT)
Team 9: Justine Dupont (FRA) and Éric Rebière (FRA)
Alternate Teams:
Rafael Tapia (CHL) and Jamie Mitchell (AUS)
António Laureano (PRT) and Pierrot Caley (FRA)
Benjamin Sanchis (FRA) Jerome Sayhoun (MAR)
Watch LIVE
The TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge is on standby to potentially run on Monday, January 22, 2024. Once called ON, the competition will be broadcast LIVE on Red Bull TV, WorldSurfLeague.com, and the free WSL app. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL's broadcast partners.
The 2023/2024 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge is proudly supported by TUDOR, Red Bull, and Surfline.