Heavy swell is marching towards the Brazilian beachbreak of Itacoatiara. Photo: Itacoatiara Big Wave//Facebook
Organizers of the Itacoatiara Big Wave tow surfing event gave the contest the green light to run the seventh edition of the competition on Tuesday, August 25. A formidable storm is rounding the southern tip of South America and moving into the Atlantic, predicted to send a swell of 10 feet at 14 seconds to Brazil.
Lucas Chumbo and Pedro Scooby, the 2025 event winners, headline the invitees. Other surfers preparing to compete include the 2025 mixed-gender champions, Michelle des Bouillons and Ian Cosenza, Michaela Fregonese, Gabriel Sampaio, Willyam Santana, Dominique Charrier, Dylan Longbottom, and Summa Longbottom.
“The forecast calls for powerful waves that could exceed three meters, setting the stage for one of Latin America’s biggest big-wave championships — and the only one contested entirely in the tow-in discipline,” the municipality of Niteroi said in a press release.
Itacoatiara is a beach in the state of Rio de Janeiro, on the eastern side of the Bay of Guanabara. It’s known for its punishing beachbreak conditions, dramatic granite rock formations, and a dangerous backwash slab called “Shock.”
The contest waiting period is from July to September. The action kicks off at 7 a.m. on the 25th.
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