Nazaré Big Wave Challenge 2025/2026 | Highlights

Brazilian Lucas Chianca and France's Justine Dupont both claimed victory in the world's most prestigious big-wave surfing contest, the Nazaré Big Wave Challenge 2025, amid some of the biggest waves the contest at Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal, has ever seen.

The 2025-26 edition of the tow-surfing event was called on for Saturday, December 14, as a huge Atlantic swell pushed some of the biggest waves ever seen at the tow-surfing competition into Praia do Norte, with faces ranging from 40-50 feet (12-15 meters) that required huge commitment and perfect synchronization from competitors and their safety crews.

Multi-time Nazaré Big Wave Challenge winner Lucas "Chumbo" Chianca delivered an incredibly committed performance, riding two of the biggest waves of the day while also enduring two of the biggest wipeouts.

After going over the falls on his first wave and being held underwater for almost 30 seconds, Chianca regrouped and was soon back up on another wave, but went over the falls again and had to endure another wipeout.

His tow partner Pedro "Scooby" Vianna plucked him out, and Chianca went back out to eventually score his fifth Best Male Performance award.

After the first heat, Chianca sat in the lead with a score of 23.60 to the 23.46 of Portuguese local Nic von Rupp.

The second round competition was ultimately called off early following a power outage on the headland, so Chianca narrowly beat von Rupp to the title by 0.14 points.

Rupp, however, scored the best wave of the day, an 8.33-scored ride, and the Best Team Performance alongside partner Clement Roseyro.

"That was a heavy moment for sure, 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 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," said 30-year-old Chianca.

Backing up her win from the 2024/2025 edition in February, Justine Dupont earned her second-consecutive Best Women's Performance award and her fifth overall victory in the event.

Now based in Nazaré with her family, the French big-wave specialist rode the giant waves with style, successfully riding out onto the shoulder.

Dupont's two best waves were a 6.9 (doubled) and a 6.07, which saw her score a 19.87-point total to take the win from Brazil’s Michelle des Bouillons (17.5) and Great Britain’s Laura Crane (11.93).

"It was a crazy day, and I'm so happy with the win. I just want to thank Eric Rebiere, he's the best driver out there," said Dupont.