Rob Machado, Noa Deane, Clay Marzo, Balaram Stack and others set to compete in Europe’s Most Dramatic Surf Contest

Cascais (January 7, 2025) – The Capitulo Perfeito powered by Billabong, the invitational competition featuring the world’s greatest tuberiders alongside Portugal’s best, had its official kick-off today with the announcement of the 16 contenders to the “one-day, one-swell” annual event where getting pitted is the only thing that matters.

 

Now entering its 11th edition, the Capitulo Perfeito powered by Billabong is back at Carcavelos Beach in 2025, with its solid, sand-bottom A-frame funnels providing the perfect scenario for incredible performances from today’s most talented tuberiders. With a two-month waiting period initiating January 11 up until March 11, the green light will be given when contest directors determine an ideal swell lining up in the Atlantic Ocean, providing the event with the highest chances of scoring the heavy spitting barrels Carcavelos is world-famous for, and giving the competitors 48 hours to make it to Portugal’s Cascais municipality.

As usual, this year’s Surfers List is a combination of celebrated tube hounds and former CT pros. Rob Machado, Clay Marzo, Balaram Stack, Bruno Santos, Aritz Aranburu, Craig Anderson, Noah Beschen and Noa Deane are in for the win once the mythical wave at Carcavelos roars to life, and will be joined by Portugal’s finest tuberiders Nic von Rupp, Pedro Boonman, João Maria Mendonça and Miguel Blanco. One last local star will be accessing the competition via fan poll, with the surf community around the world being called out to vote for their favorite tuberiding expert from a list of seven (7) Portuguese surfers (Martim Carrasco, António Cardoso, Martim Fortes, Luís Perloiro, Guilherme Ribeiro, Guilherme Fonseca and João Guedes).

Also taking part in the competition is 19-year-old Tiago Stock who secured the Reigning Champion Wildcard after manufacturing an upset win in his home break coming on top of everyone in Capitulo Perfeito’s previous edition. Representing the core local crew, Stock will be joined by a TBA home-grown Carcavelos surfer coming out of the Trials, which are taking place within the main event’s waiting period.

The last spot in the Heat Draw is being assigned via Performance Wildcard, allowing the contest directors to keep an eye on the season’s best performances and address a last-minute invitation to a world-class tube wizard, adding a touch of suspense to the most exciting event of the year.

Finally, for the first time in the history of Capitulo Perfeito powered by Billabong, a highly restricted group of female Portuguese surfers are also taking part in the competition. Francisca Veselko, Yolanda Hopkins, Mafalda Lopes and Camila Cardoso will be given license to roam on the best day of the European winter, standing out in a much-expected tube duel – a Special Women Heat – taking place between the Semis and the Final.

Apart from Carcavelos gnarly tubes, there’ll be 50.000 EUR on the table for the 16 contenders to dispute, plus a special trophy for the most committed surfer, named after the late Brazilian surfer and Capitulo Perfeito’s former challenger Ricardo dos Santos.

In the meantime, it is up to you to choose the remaining Portuguese charger who will have a shot at the most prestigious surfing title in Europe today – go to capituloperfeito.com and vote for your favorite! Voting period ends January 11.

INVITEES & NOMINEES LIST

International Surfers (locked in – 8): Aritz Aranburu (ESP), Balaram Stack (USA), Bruno Santos (BRA), Clay Marzo (HAW), Craig Anderson (AUS), Noa Deane (AUS), Noah Beschen (HAW), Rob Machado (USA).

Portuguese Surfers (locked in – 4): João Maria Mendonça, Miguel Blanco, Nic von Rupp, Pedro Boonman.

Portuguese Surfer By Fan Poll (1 out of 7): António Cardoso, Guilherme Fonseca, Guilherme Ribeiro, João Guedes, Luís Perloiro, Martim Carrasco, Martim Fortes.

Reigning Champ Wildcard (1): Tiago Stock (PRT).

Trials Wildcard (1): TBA.

Performance Wildcard (1): TBA.

Special Women Heat (locked in – 4): Francisca Veselko, Yolanda Hopkins, Mafalda Lopes and Camila Cardoso.