The Nazaré Challenge Is ON!

The event’s green-light was called 72 hours ago and now the Nazaré Challenge is underway.

With only 19 days left in the 136 day window period it was looking unlikely we would see the annual avalanche surfing competition take place, but a ‘mid-sized’ swell squandered any doubt. 

It’s not one of those ‘100-foot’ swells that often grace the Portugese coastline, but its not a swell to scoff at either; 30-foot faces, booties, hoodies and a brisk devil wind feathering under your board, no thanks. 

The first heat featured a board to the face, a sketchy closeout barrel and some high quality straight-handers. 

Joey Turpel is providing the auditory stimulation and Peter Mel has swapped out his commentators gig for a place in the oversized-wedge like lineup for Heat 2. 

If any of this tickles your Saturday night fancy, swing by the WSL website and watch the carnage unfold. 

Otherwise, flick over to the Winter Olympics and watch people ski down slopes of a comparable size.