Competitive surfing is where skill, courage, and the raw power of the ocean collide. From massive waves at Nazaré to the high-performance showdowns of the WSL Finals, the world’s best surfers push the limits in contests that define the sport. These four events showcase the pinnacle of wave riding.
1. Tudor Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge
When it comes to riding the biggest waves on the planet, Nazaré is the undisputed king. This Portuguese giant has produced seven of the ten biggest waves ever surfed, making it one of the most fearsome and legendary breaks in the world.
Unlike traditional paddle-in competitions, the Tudor Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge is all about tow-in surfing. Competitors use jet skis to launch into monstrous walls of water that can reach up to 100 feet (30 meters) in height. Due to the unpredictable nature of Nazaré, the event doesn’t have a fixed date—once the perfect storm forms, surfers have just 24 hours to arrive and take on the beast.
2. Quiksilver Jaws Big Wave Challenge
Known as one of the most powerful waves on Earth, Jaws (Peʻahi) in Maui, Hawaii, is where big wave surfing meets extreme progression. With building-sized waves that break with jaw-dropping force, only the most fearless surfers take on this challenge.
Its perfectly shaped barrels and insane speeds. Unlike Nazaré, where the waves are unpredictable, Jaws offers some of the cleanest and most surfable big waves in the world. The Quiksilver Jaws Big Wave Challenge runs between November and April, and when conditions align, the world’s best big wave riders arrive to push the limits of what’s possible.
3. Vans Triple Crown of Surfing
Hawaii is the birthplace of modern surfing, and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is the ultimate test of skill, endurance, and versatility. This prestigious series is held each winter on Oahu’s North Shore, featuring three world-class breaks: Haleiwa, Sunset Beach, and Pipeline.
Unlike single-event competitions, the Triple Crown crowns the best all-around surfer by combining performances across three different waves. In 2020, the event introduced a video submission format, allowing a broader pool of surfers to showcase their best rides. Despite the format change, Pipeline remains the ultimate proving ground, where heavy barrels determine true champions.
4. Rip Curl WSL Finals
The Rip Curl WSL Finals is the grand finale of the World Surf League Championship Tour, where the world’s top five ranked surfers fight for the ultimate crown. Held at Lower Trestles in California, this event determines the world champion in a high-stakes elimination format.
Unlike past years, where the world champion was decided by season points, the new format ensures that the title is won in the water. The fifth-ranked surfer competes against the fourth-ranked surfer, with the winner advancing to face the third-ranked surfer, and so on. The top-seeded surfer gets a direct ticket to the final, where they must win two out of three heats to claim the world title.