The 2026/2027 World Surf League (WSL) TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge is back, with the official competition window opening on November 1, 2026 and running through March 31, 2027. The one-day, tow-in surfing event will run when Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal turns on with a solid swell of 25-feet or more and the conditions align for a safe event. The world’s best big wave surfers have put in the hours for months, even years, to be ready to go at any moment during the competition window.
Justine Dupont (FRA) in action Photo: WSL / Damien Poullenot.
How The TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge Tow-In Format Works
The TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge is a one-day only, tow-in competition featuring nine teams. To foster an even playing field and to allow athletes more time to compete in their respective heats, a format change for both Men’s and Women’s divisions have been introduced.
The six men’s teams will compete in two Semifinals, and the top team from each heat will automatically advance to the Final. The runner-up team with the highest total score will also advance to the Final, allowing for three teams to compete for the Best Team Performance Award. Individual scores will be taken into account for the Men’s Best Performance Award.
Nic Von Rupp (POR) Photo: WSL / Damien Poullenot
How The TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge Tow-In Format Works
The TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge is a one-day only, tow-in competition featuring nine teams. To foster an even playing field and to allow athletes more time to compete in their respective heats, a format change for both Men’s and Women’s divisions have been introduced.
The six men’s teams will compete in two Semifinals, and the top team from each heat will automatically advance to the Final. The runner-up team with the highest total score will also advance to the Final, allowing for three teams to compete for the Best Team Performance Award. Individual scores will be taken into account for the Men’s Best Performance Award.
On the women’s side, there will be one Final heat to determine the Women’s Best Performance Award. The three women’s teams will feature only one rider, towed in by their jet ski driver.
Laura Crane (GBR) Photo: WSL/ Laurent Masurel
TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge Invitees*
Teams
1: Nic Von Rupp (POR) / Clement Roseyro (FRA)
Team
2: Rodrigo Koxa (BRA) / Vitor Faria (BRA)
Team
3: Will Santana (BRA) / Gabriel Sampaio (BRA)
Team
4: Lucas Chianca (BRA) / Pedro Scooby (BRA)
Team
5: Andrew Cotton (GBR) / James Carew (AUS)
Team
6: Benjamin Sanchis (FRA) / Jerome Sayhoun (MAR)
Team
7: Justine Dupont (FRA) / Driver: Dino Carmo (POR)
Team
8: Michelle des Bouillons (BRA) / Driver: Ian Cosenza (BRA)
Team
9: Laura Crane (GBR) / Driver: Eric Rebiere (FRA)
*Invitees are subject to change closer to or on the confirmed competition day.
Andrew Cotton (GBR) Photo: Hugo Silva / Red Bull Content Pool
A surfer’s best two waves count toward an individual’s total score, with the best wave counting as double points. In total, a surfer’s maximum individual score will be 30 points, with each wave scored from 0 -10 points. Surfers will be awarded across the following categories:
• Men’s Best Performance: Male surfer with the highest two scoring waves
• Women’s Best Performance: Female surfer with the highest two scoring waves
• Best Men’s Team Performance: Total of the best two scoring rides of both team riders
The TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge Invitees are the men and women who have put in the time to prove themselves in the lineup at Praia do Norte, season after season, surfing and driving a jet ski to tow-in their partner. Safety is paramount, and all team members need to be able to safely tow-in and rescue their partners in the lineup.
