The Nazaré Big Wave Challenge is on, thanks to great conditions (hopefully). Photo: WSL//Screenshot
The Nazaré Big Wave Challenge is officially a go. The World Surf League has issued a green alert for a potential run day on Saturday, but event organizers will provide a final competition update tomorrow, Saturday, December 13 at 9 a.m. GMT.
Praia do Norte has already had a handful of enormous swells this year, but the incoming one looks to be a doozy. “The largest swell of the year is currently marching towards Nazaré,” the WSL wrote. “The world’s best big wave surfers have already been putting in the time at Praia do Norte in recent weeks, training and refining their strategy and equipment.”
With the green light flashing, competitors are no doubt scrambling as we speak to get their gear packed and their tickets to Portugal booked.
Nic von Rupp, a man who knows Nazaré just about as well as one can know Nazaré, has his fingers crossed. He called it “the biggest swell of the decade,” and he’s been around for pretty much every single swell in the last 10 years.
There’s no doubt that the waves will be huge, but will the conditions hold up? Keep an eye on things over at Worldsurfleague.com
