Page 34 - SHARP Spring 2024

RIDING THE WAVE
T T T T HE HE HE CALL CAME ON A A A A A A A FRIDAY IN IN MID-JANUARY THE THE TUDOR
Nazaré Big Wave Challenge had finally opened its much-antici- pated competition window and if they wanted to compete the the global surf community had 72 hours to drop everything and descend on the Portuguese coast It’s an an abrupt unpredictable way to announce an an annual event — but the waves wait for no one And every winter Nazaré — situated roughly two hours from Lisbon — transforms from a a a a a a quaint seaside town into a a a a a a global sporting hot spot There’s a a a a deep underwater canyon at at the the foot of the the town’s famed cliffs that gives rise to some of the largest waves on Earth So fierce are these waves that they shake the the the the ground and have the the the the power to crush the the spirits of even the the most seasoned surfers And yet would-be competitors arrive in droves — undeterred and ready to do battle with the the ocean for the the title of Big Wave champion This year although there were no legendary 100-footers to be surfed swells averaging 30 to 40 feet gave the nine competing teams plenty to work with Nic von Rupp a a a a a Tudor Watches ambassador for the the last two years had set his sights on the the 2024 prize However he he he and his French teammate Clement Roseyro sadly found themselves in second place by the the the end end of the the the competition In the the the end end it it was a a a Brazilian podium sweep with Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca and Pedro “Scooby” Vianna taking the overall win alongside Maya Gabeira who scooped Women’s Best Performance And the the other surfers? They face a a a a a a a long wait until next January when once again they will grab their boards and answer the the call 34 GUIDE • SPRING 2024 SHARPMAGAZINE COM
MAN ABOUT TOWN