La Vaca Gigante is a big wave surfing event organised by ObsessionA2 Club that takes place at ‘Cueto’ cliffs, near the city of Santander, in Northern Spain.
Along with Punta Galea Challenge and Illa Pancha Challenge, La Vaca Gigante is the one of the few extreme surf events in Spain, internationally appreciated as one of the very few big wave competitions in Europe.
The event is invitational. What makes La Vaca so special is the unique characteristics of the wave: on a given day, when conditions are right, 20 to 24 feet waves may occur. A long waiting period –October to May- is set to ensure plenty of opportunity for optimum conditions to happen, and the event can go on after a one-week alert, when surf and wind forecast is favourable.
featured surfers:
Indar Unanue (Euskadi, 2024 champion)
Joaquin del Castillo (Peru, El Buey Santos del Mar 2024 champion)
Maud Le Car (France)
Manuel Lezcano (Canary Islands, Spain 2025 champion)
Xabi Lopez (2nd place, Spain Championship 2025)
Eneko Merino (3rd place, Spain Championship 2025)
Nico García (Best Cantabrian surfer 2025)
Pilou Ducalme (France)
Shannon Marie Quirk (USA)
Miguel Castrillón (Andalusia)
