Nic von Rupp

Freakish Friday at Nazare

We went reasonably mad on Friday, covering the largest swell of the very active season at Nazare as it unfolded. Ace drone filmer Tucker Wooding pulled together this amazing edit from his all-day affair at Portugal’s biggest, scariest a-frame. While watching, one thing becomes pretty clear pretty quick — the safest place to be at XXXL Nazare is probably in the air. Even the cliff looks sketchy.

Video: Tucker Wooding

Check out the full coverage from the day of, here:

2022 Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge | Highlights

The World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge took place today at Praia do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal and the world's best big wave surfers reveled in the clean, 40-to-50-foot waves on offer...

XXXL Nazare: Exclusive Highlight Reel

On Saturday, January 8th, 2022, the strongest storm the North Atlantic has seen, or will see, all winter unloaded a fierce, XXL-approaching XXXL swell upon Praia do Norte, prompting Portuguese officials to green-light the Gigantes de Nazare event just three weeks after the WSL Nazare Tow-In Surfing Challenge wrapped. As far as we can tell, no records were broken this day. But the consensus is that Saturday, January 8th, 2022 was, nonetheless, “one for the books.” Here are some highlights, filmed by intrepid Portuguese lensman Helio Antonio.

Full story, gallery, and coverage here:

The Best Of The Best From The 2021 Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge

All craziest action captured during the 2021 TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge presented by Jogos Santa Casa

Featuring Lucas Chianca, Kai Lenny, Pedro Scooby, Justine Dupont, Axier Muniain, Francisco Porcella, Pierre Rollet, Rodrigo Koxa, Kealii Mamala, Andrew Cotton, Nic von Rupp, Pedro Scooby, João De Macedo, Antonio Silva, Maya Gabeira, Eric Rebiere

#WSL

Potential For TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge Presented by Jogos Santa Casa To Run Dec 12 or 13

The World Surf League has put the TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge presented by Jogos Santa Casa on standby to potentially run on Sunday, December 12 or Monday, December 13. With a large WNW swell and favorable winds headed toward Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal, there is high confidence that the event could run over one of these two days.

Event officials are closely monitoring the upcoming swell, watching for the conditions that will produce waves in the competition range. The next call for a potential Green Alert will be made on Saturday, December 11 at 12:00 a.m. GMT. Once the call is made by the event officials, competitors will have approximately 34-hours' notice to be ready to compete.

"We are expecting waves in the 40-to-60-foot range on Sunday and Monday, and we are closely watching the forecast over the next few days," said Jessi Miley-Dyer, WSL SVP of Tours and Head of Competition. "If we see this forecast continue to track the way we are seeing now, we will make an updated call on Saturday, December 11 at 12:00 a.m. GMT for a potential Green Alert. We are working with Garrett McNamara on the ground at Nazaré and utilizing all of his expertise and knowledge to help inform when we will run the competition. We will check back in over the weekend with more updates."

The TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge presented by Jogos Santa Casa will be a one-day, specialty event with tow-in surfing teams. There will be nine teams made up of two competitors in each team. The teams will be divided into three groups with three teams in each group. The competition will have a total of six 60-minute heats, where each group will participate in two heats, with each team alternating between surfing and driving the team's jet ski.

A surfer's best two waves after surfing both heats will count to an individual total score, with the best wave counting as double points. In total, 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.

**TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge presented by Jogos Santa Casa Invitees:**

**Team 1:** Kai Lenny (HAW), Lucas Chianca (BRA)
**Team 2:** Nic Von Rupp (PRT), Pedro Scooby (BRA)
**Team 3: **Rodrigo Koxa (BRA), Eric Rebiere (FRA)
**Team 4:** Andrew Cotton (GBR), Will Skudin (USA)
**Team 5:** Axier Muniain (EUK), Francisco Porcella (ITA)
**Team 6: **João de Macedo (PRT), Antonio Silva (PRT)
**Team 7: **Maya Gabeira (BRA), Sebastian Steudtner (DEU)
**Team 8:** Justine Dupont (FRA), Pierre Rollet (FRA)
**Team 9: **Michelle des Bouillons (BRA), Ian Cosenza (PRT)

*The TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge presented by Jogos Santa Casa is proudly supported by TUDOR, Jogos Santa Casa, Red Bull, Corona, Hertz, MEO, Portuguese Waves, Visit Portugal, Oeste Portugal, and Nazaré City Council. *

**Watch LIVE **
When called ON, the TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Presented by Jogos Santa Casa will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and YouTube, as well as the free WSL app. Check local listings for coverage from the WSL's broadcast partners.

#WSL

Come With Us - Nic Von Rupp – Episode 3

“When the wave stands up so tall behind you, it erases the sunlight… and that’s when the shadow overtakes you. It’s the Monster behind you… you're very close to the Danger Zone.” Welcome to Nic Von Rupp’s world.

The 30-year-old surfing prodigy has already clocked a successful competitive career and changed direction to focus his sights on becoming the best big wave rider in the world. For the uninitiated it is a sight to behold, waves that could dwarf apartment buildings; speeds in excess of 80km/h; the full force of the ocean harnessed in wave form. Yet Rupp stares it all down with a relaxed stance and a sunbathed smile, and hours and hours of preparation. Don’t just take our word for it; Come With Us on a big wave ride like you’ve never seen before….

Find out more at https://www.MonsterEnergy.com​

THIS WAVE GROWS FROM 3FT TO 12FT. WHAt?? | Von Froth Ep 24

This wave grows from a 3ft take of into a 12ft Barrel the size of a truck.
I was on vacation my girl in Costa Rica, when all of a sudden this swell of the winter popped up for home, I instantly packed our bags headed to the airport
This wave doesn’t break that often, but when mother nature aligned there is no place ill rather be. It was a mission to get back home, but the session Mae it worth while

Hurricane Epsilon Brings Monstrous Waves To Nazaré | Sessions

After spinning for weeks in the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Epsilon set its sights on the shores of Western Europe, from Ireland to Portugal. But no place was bigger, or more in the spotlight, than Nazaré. Watch as Kai Lenny, Lucas "Chumbo" Chianca, Justine Dupont, Pedro "Scooby" Vianna, Andrew Cotton, and other big wave chargers take on some of the heaviest Nazaré of their lives.