Frenchwomen wins second straight title and Brazilian prevails in the men's field on some of the biggest waves seen at the world's most prestigious tow-surfing event.
Brazilian Lucas Chianca and France's Justine Dupont both claimed victory in the world's most prestigious big-wave surfing contest, the TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge, amid some the biggest waves the contest at Praia do Norte in Nazaré, Portugal, has ever seen. Here is all you need to know:
- The 2025–26 edition of the tow-surfing event ran was called on for Saturday, December 14, as huge Atlantic swell pushed some of the biggest waves ever seen at the tow-surfing competition into Praia do Norte, with faces ranging from 40ft–50ft (12m-15m) that required huge commitment and perfect synchronisation 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 2024-25 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 Ribiere, he's the best driver out there," said Dupont.
Image: Lucas Chianca
NAZARÉ, PORTUGAL - DECEMBER 13: Lucas Chianca of Brazil surfs in Session One, Heat 1, Group A at the TUDOR NAZARÉ Big Wave Challenge on December 13, 2025 at Nazaré, Portugal. (Photo by Damien Poullenot/World Surf League)