Surfing
After a huge day at Nazaré, Justine Dupont and Clement Roseryo claimed individual honours to fly the French flag high, while an emotional Nic von Rupp finally topped the podium at home in Portugal.
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2024-2025 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
French surfers Clement Roseyro and Justine Dupont claimed the Male and Female Performance Awards at the 2025 edition of the TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge, with Roseyro also taking out top honours in the Team Performance Award, alongside Portugal’s Nic Von Rupp.
Praia do Norte served up six thrilling hours of competition for surfers and spectators alike, with waves ranging from 25-35ft (7.5-10.5m), and conditions getting better as the day rolled on.
Dupont’s two-wave total of 19.06 out of 30.00 was enough to secure her fourth Nazaré title, though this one was extra special as it was her first since becoming a mother.
"I used to have a lot of fear before,” said Dupont after the win. “Now, after the baby, I'm more worried about my child, whether they're sleeping or eating. At least it takes my mind off the fear! We're a family team, we understand each other and I'm really happy to be back here to perform.”
With Dupont’s recent participation in The Eddie Aikau Invitational and a string of memorable performances at a global bucket list of big waves, this Nazaré win is further confirmation that she stands alone as the world's finest female big wave surfer, and sits comfortably among the best big wave surfers on the planet, period.
For Roseryo, who secured the Men's Best Performance Award in just his second TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge appearance with an individual score of 21.83 out of 30, victory in front of surfing’s most famous fort was a dream come true.
“I can’t believe it! Last year we finished second and I watched this presentation from just over there,” the Frenchman said from the victory dais, “and this time I’m on top of the podium! I’m super happy, I’m super proud!”
Nazaré devotee von Rupp’s relief at finally taking a win that has eluded him for so long was clear, as he took to the podium draped in a Portuguese flag.
And, of course, this is for Portugal!
“It’s been blood, sweat and tears for 10 years, 15 years,” beamed von Rupp. “Nazaré is such an important place for us and this season we put it all on the line in the water whether it’s 6ft, 100ft, onshore, offshore. Two weeks ago we had one of the biggest swells ever and we were the first out there.
"This means a lot to us, we pushed the levels two weeks ago and now we pushed the levels to win today. Thanks to Clement for being such an incredible surfer, and the rest of the team for supporting us."
Defending back-to-back Best Men's Performance Award winner Lucas Chianca fought hard to finish in second place, while Big Wave Challenge debutant Ben Larg rounded out the men's podium.
"It was a really hard day," said Chianca. "The waves weren't that big, and with the wind, it was really bumpy." Ever gracious, he failed to mention that he suffered a broken ankle at Mavericks just six weeks ago.
Chianca and his partner Pedro Scooby finished second in the Team Performance Award, while Scotsman Larg and his English team-mate Andrew Cotton rounded out the placings. Larg, who came into the event as a last-minute replacement for Garrett McNamara, was thrilled to work with Nazaré veteran Cotton, and the two clicked as team-mates from the moment they were partnered up.
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Sad news for the day was English competitor Laura Crane getting hurt on her TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge debut. Also, perennial standout Kai Lenny arrived in Portugal but his bags did not, so he was forced to ride a five-year-old board he'd previously left in Portugal, he and partner Ian Walsh eventually finishing the day in fifth place.
2024-2025 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge results
Men
- Clement Roseryo (FRA) – 21.83/30
- Lucas Chianca (BRA) – 18.67/30
- Ben Larg (SCO) – 16.63/30
- Pedro Scooby (BRA) – 16.53/3-
Women
- Justine Dupont (FRA) – 19.06/30
- Michelle des Bouillons (BRA) – 13.03/30
- Laura Crane (ENG) – 4.71/30
Teams
- Nic von Rupp (POR), Clement Roseryo (FRA) – 37.87/60
- Lucas Chianca (BRA0, Pedro Scooby (BRA) – 35.20/60
- Andrew Cotton (ENG), Ben Larg (SCO) – 31.72/60
- Justine Dupont (FRA0, Eric Rebiere (FRA) – 30.17/60
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2023-2024 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
The 2023-2024 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge was given the green light to run on Monday, January 22, as Portugal woke to a day of extra-large swells, light winds and clean waves breaking across the various peaks of Nazaré off the coast of the world-famous Praia do Norte.
Brazilian surfer Lucas 'Chumbo' Chianca was once again the star of the show in Portugal, as this year's 40-foot high-performance conditions allowed him to showcase his incredible abilities. Although missing his usual tow partner, Kai Lenny, Chianca's Nazaré prowess is indomitable and not only did he look the best surfer in the water, but the most comfortable around the huge waves.
This is a dream for me, I never expected to win so many times here!
For the second year running Chianca claimed two trophies, winning Men’s Best Performance, and Team’s Best Performance, alongside countryman Pedro 'Scooby' Vianna. Their fellow Brazilian Maya Gabeira won the Women’s Best Performance Award for a second straight year, beating another the France-born but Brazil-raised Michelle des Bouillons.
“This is a dream for me, I never expected to win so many times here,” said Chianca after his win. “This place is magical, Nazaré has given me everything in my life. This win is probably the most special to me because we were a 100 percent Brazilian team.
"It was such a pleasure to tow with Scooby, one of the guys who pushed me, helped me and inspired me when I first started surfing big waves. I’m really happy to give him back a little bit with our performance today.”
Chianca is now a five-time winner at Nazaré, hoisting four trophies since it switched to a tow format, and one when it was a paddle event. The crowd went crazy whenever the Brazilian stood tall on the podium, with thousands of fans chanting his name from the top of the most famous fort in surfing.
2023-2024 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge results
Men
- Lucas Chianca (Brazil) – 23.33/30
- Clement Roseyro (France) – 21.51/30
- Rodrigo Coxa (Portugal) – 18.66/30
- Sebastian Steudtner (GER) 18.50/30
Women
- Maya Gabeira (Brazil) – 14.00/30
- Michelle des Bouillons (Brazil) – 9.83/30
Teams
- Pedro Scooby (Brazil), Lucas Chianca (Brazil) – 41.16/60
- Nic Von Rupp (Portugal), Clement Roseyro (France) – 37.18/60
- Rodrigo Koxa (Portugal), Vitor Faria (Brazil) – 35.79/60
- Pierre Rollet (France), Rafael Tapia (Chile) – 34.63/60
Re-watch every second of 2024’s TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge below:
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