- WSL / Damien Poullenot
- WSL / Damien Poullenot

Official Event Site
Event Window: September 22-28, 2015
Location: Carcavelos, Cascais, Portugal
TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT 0
COORDINATES: 38º40'48.93" N, 9º20'10.09" W
BAGGAGE CLAIM: Lisbon Airport (LIS)

Malia Manuel (HAW) Malia Manuel surfing with the Old World town in the background. - WSL / Laurent Masurel

THE WAVE: Carcavelos is one of the best surf spots in the country. The classic beachbreak offers maximum potential for performance surfing with wave directions that change quickly. Cascais is famous for powerful barrels. Due to its location at the mouth of the Tejo River, the break is defined by a shifting ocean floor created by a steady deposit of fine sand.

The primary venue of Carcavelos is a punchy beachbreak forming close to shore A-frame peaks and often barrels. Its orientation facing South makes it sometimes difficult to catch the main swells from the West / North-West.

THE LOCATION: Cascais is located 12 kilometers from Lisbon, the only European capital on the shores of the Atlantic. A former destination for royals, it's now a draw for young holiday-goers, who flock there for its walkable, thriving nightlife and local beach scene. For Lisbon tourists and locals, Cascais is an easy day trip or overnighter.

LOCAL HISTORY: The city itself was once a fishing village and holiday resort for kings and aristocrats. While history may have caused some wear and tear on the area, a sense of its past is ever-present.

EDP Cascais Girls Pro 13 Carissa Moore's victory at the inaugural women's CT event in Portugal carried her to her second World Title. - WSL / Aquashot

The backdrop for the main CT event site is the Forte De São João Da Barra, a massive fort built in the 16th century. With its guard towers, dungeons and drawbridge, it's a mythical view for surfers at Cascais. In its years as a functioning defensive front, it was used to protect the Tejo River entrance from enemy ships. The fort is currently occupied by the Ministry of Defense.

WSL HISTORY: Cascais has always played a big role in women's surfing, having hosted a number of Qualification Series (QS) events in the past. In 2013, the WSL established its first official elite women's Championship Tour (CT) contest in Portugal (in 2009, the Rip Curl Pro Search hosted an elite women's contest in Peniche, Portugal). In its two years of running, the winner of the Cascais Women's Pro has also won the World Title: Carissa Moore (HAW) solidified her second Championship at the 2013 event while reigning World Champion Stephanie Gilmore took last year's event title.

PAST CASCAIS WOMEN'S PRO CHAMPIONS
2014: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2013: Carissa Moore (HAW)

The Cascais Women's Pro has a waiting period of September 22-28. Catch every moment LIVE on the WSL homepage and the WSL app.

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