Watch: World's Best Tube Riders Battle in Pumping Portugal Surf

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated 2/20/24

The problem with surf contests is: there’s not always surf.

Especially on the World Surf League’s Championship Tour, in which there’s a fixed schedule with about 10 days of wiggle room per event, with hopes of running in the best conditions possible. But the ocean is a fickle mistress; waves aren’t guaranteed.

Then there’s specialty contests, like Capitulo Perfeito (Perfect Chapter), which have longer windows, equating to more opportunities, to run the event when the waves are best. And the 10th edition of the contest just went down at Carcavelos in Portugal.

Per organizers of the event, here’s a short recap:

“Local charger Tiago Stock has won the 10th annual Capitulo Perfeito powered by Billabong today at Carcavelos Beach, Portugal, by defeating Rob Machado (2nd), Dylan Graves (3rd) and Balaram Stack (4th) in the final.

“Carcavelos Beach dished up a day of punchy, barreling waves for all 16 contenders, with the world’s best tube specialists and the top Portuguese locals performing a full- day surfing exhibition in the 10-Year Anniversary of Capitulo Perfeito. In the end, the 18- year-old Portuguese surfer claimed the top honors, bagging the 20.000 EUR winner’s check as the first trialist to ever win the event.”

Another cool thing about Capitulo Perfeito, and other contests like it, is that they draw an elite group of competitors – the surfers that don’t typically compete, or have retired from full-time competition. Surfers like Rob Machado, Nic Von Rupp, Nathan Hedge, Dylan Graves, Balaram Stack, etc.

Machado, who placed second, had this to say:

“This is amazing. The beach is absolutely raging right now. The grom just won the contest, and it’s a beautiful day. I haven’t put a jersey on in a long time, and to come and compete in a contest…it’s kind of incredible.”

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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