NAZARÉ, Portugal (Saturday, December 13, 2025) – A massive day of competition unfolded today at the World Surf League (WSL) TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge as some of the world’s best big wave surfers braved the 45-60 foot waves at the iconic Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal. Thousands of surf fans lined the cliffs from sunrise to sunset, creating an arena like no other. The team of Nic von Rupp (POR) and Clement Roseyro (FRA) won Best Team Performance, while Justine Dupont (FRA) earned the Women’s Best Performance and Lucas Chianca (BRA) the Men’s Best Performance award.
Team Nic Von Rupp and Clement Roseyro Retain Best Team Performance Award
An incredible display of commitment, local knowledge and time out in the Nazaré lineup saw local hero Nic von Rupp (POR) and Clement Roseyro (FRA) retain their Best Team Performance title. They were in rhythm with the ocean, picking out the best waves of the day for a commanding performance.
“It was an insane, crazy day,” said Roseyro. “Nic got a few bombs, I got a few bombs, everyone is safe. It’s a happy day!”
Roseyro towed Von Rupp into a huge wave, and the Portuguese charger scored one of the best waves of the day, earning an excellent 16.66 (out of a possible 20).
“Clement is an incredible surfer,” said Von Rupp. “He’s a young gun that only appeared two years ago, but he’s already up there with the best of the best. Look at the amount of people here, Nazaré is living its best moments, not only with the crowd, with the event, 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.”
Pure Commitment From Lucas Chianca, Earns Men’s Best Performance
Multiple event winner Lucas ‘Chumbo’ Chianca (BRA) delivered one of the most committed performances of the day, charging hard to ride two of the biggest waves, while also enduring two of the biggest wipeouts of the day. After going over the falls on his first wave, Chianca regrouped and was soon back up on another wave. He tried to eject, but went over the falls again and had to endure another wipeout.
“That was a heavy moment for sure,” Chianca said. “It was one of the heaviest wipeouts of my life. I want to thank Sebastian Steudtner for picking me up right in front of the rocks, he saved my life today. The day started really gnarly, but we tried our best. Pedro ‘Scooby’ Vianna (BRA) put me on some bombs, and I put him on some bombs. Thanks to Nazaré for putting on a show and to WSL for making this happen.”
Justine Dupont Goes Back-To-Back For Women’s Best Performance
Backing up her win from the previous edition in February, Justine Dupont (FRA) earned her second Best Women’s Performance award. Based in Nazaré with her family, Dupont rode the giant waves with style, successfully riding out onto the shoulder where her tow-in partner Eric Rebiere (FRA) picked her up safely.
“It was a crazy day, and I’m so happy with the win,” said Dupont. “I just want to thank Eric, he is the best driver out there, and of course Fred. Thanks to the safety team, and Nazaré for a fun day.”
Due to the delayed start caused by fog and further delays caused by a power outage at the headland the WSL Tours & Competitions team made the call that there wasn’t time to safely complete Round 2 in good light. Therefore final event results were taken from the completed Round 1 of competition, which ran in the best waves of the contest.
“We took a chance to run this event on one of the biggest swells, and the athletes rose to the challenge, competing in the best waves of the day. It was a day of incredible performances,” said Francisco Spinola, WSL President, EMEA. “We did have to end the event after Round 1 due to technical difficulties and running out of daylight, but it’s imperative we do not compromise the integrity of the competition and that we make the best decision for the safety of the surfers. The most important win is when the surfers arrive back in the athlete area safe and sound, and that’s what happened, in very heavy conditions. It was an epic day of surfing and congratulations to all our competitors.”
Replay All The Action From Nazaré
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The 2025/2026 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge is proudly supported by TUDOR, Red Bull, Visit Portugal, Estrella Galicia, Nazare City Council & Praia do Norte, Hertz, Millennium Bank, Oeste Tourism.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
2025/2026 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge Results:
HEAT 1: Lucas Chianca (BRA) 23.60 DEF. Pedro Scooby (BRA) 21.80, Benjamin Sanchis (FRA) 16.04, Jerome Sahyoun (MAR) 11.90, Michelle des Bouillons (BRA) 17.50, Ian Cosenza (BRA)
HEAT 2: Nic von Rupp (POR) 23.46 DEF. Clement Roseyro (FRA) 21.99, Rafael Tapia (CHL) 10.00, Pierre Rollet (FRA) 11.16, Justine Dupont (FRA) 19.87, Eric Rebiere (FRA)
HEAT 3: James Carew (AUS) 18.74 DEF. Rodrigo Koxa (BRA) 18.13, Andrew Cotton (GBR) 16.30, Vitor Faria (BRA) 12.57, Laura Crane (GBR) 11.93, Antonio Laureano (POR)
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
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