A 21-Year-Old Surfer Won The Nazaré Challenge Last Weekend After Riding Skyscraper-Sized Waves

Australian big wave surfer Jamie Mitchell paddles for a wave during the 2nd heat of the 1st round of the WSL Nazare Challenge at Praia do Norte in Nazare, central Portugal, on February 10, 2018.

Getty Image / FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP


The best big wave surfers in the world all descended upon a tiny village in Portugal last weekend for the Nazaré Challenge (pics + videos below), one of the elite Big Wave Tour surfing events. Nazaré is a tiny town nestled on the Portuguese coast about halfway between Lisbon and Porto, and it’s home to some of the largest waves on the planet. (Australia’s Jamie Mitchell pictured above)

The ‘largest wave ever surfed’ was at Nazaré, Porgual. But what I find most incredible about this Big Wave Tour surfing event is how close to shore these skyscraper-sized waves break. You can actually stand on land and get a full view of these gargantuan waves and you can watch the competition from the beach.

21-year-old Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca won the Nazaré Challenge last weekend, beating out the best big wave surfers in the world. The Brazilian surfer beat out Hawaii’s Billy Kemper in the final for his first ever win on the WSL Big Wave Tour. Kai Lenny, the #1 ranked big wave surfer on tour, was also in the final. So Lucas ‘Chumbo’ Chianca had to take down the literal best big wave surfers on the planet in order to secure his first ever win.

Here are some highlights of the massive waves ridden at the 2018 Nazaré Challenge (and some wipeouts):

For a complete roundup of all the action, including all the awesome stories that led up to Lucas ‘Chumbo’ Chianca winning his first WSL Big Wave Tour win, you can CLICK HERE to vis WSL’s website!