Cascais Capítulo Perfeito powered by Billabong returns to Carcavelos in 2026 — and goes global

CASCAIS, Portugal (January 8, 2026) — Cascais Capítulo Perfeito powered by Billabong officially unveiled its plans for 2026 this Thursday, January 8, during a press conference that marked the kick-off of what promises to be the most ambitious edition in the event’s history. Firmly established as one of the world’s most respected tube-riding competitions, Capítulo Perfeito now enters a new chapter — expanding its vision beyond Portugal while staying true to its original DNA.

 

CARCAVELOS REMAINS THE HEART OF CAPITULO PERFEITO

The main event returns to Carcavelos Beach, in Cascais, with a waiting period running from January 12 to March 12, 2026, once again embracing the concept that defines Capítulo Perfeito: one day, one swell. The competition will only run on the best possible day of the Portuguese winter, allowing contest directors to patiently wait for the perfect alignment of swell, wind and sandbanks to deliver the heavy, hollow barrels Carcavelos is famous for.

GOING GLOBAL: MOZAMBIQUE AND INDONESIA JOIN THE MAP IN 2026

During the press conference, the organization also confirmed its intention to chase prime tube-riding conditions across different latitudes. In 2026, that vision becomes reality with two global Capítulo Perfeito events:

• Mozambique – Praia da Barra, with a waiting period from January 12 to March 30
• Indonesia – Desert Point, Lombok, running between September 1 and 15

Both locations are globally renowned for their world-class barreling waves. This expansion builds on the project’s first international step in 2024, when event organisers took the youngest surfers in the draw (under the New Generation category) to the Mentawai Islands for an intensive week of training and competition. The goal remains clear: to create a truly global platform where the world’s best tube riders face off at the most iconic waves on the planet.

As in Portugal, the global events will also respect the “wait for the right day” philosophy and will feature the final 4 contenders from the Carcavelos event, joined by two local surfers and two international wildcards. At each international stop, competitors will be fighting for a €10,000 prize money by Cascais.

“We celebrate another year of Capítulo Perfeito, now with a decisive step in our strategy,” said promoter Rui Costa. “We have always shown the ambition of going global. I want to thank the 89 surfers who have taken part since 2012, the Cascais City Council for its support in 8 out of 12 editions, Turismo de Portugal, all our partners and, in particular, Billabong, who has been with us since 2014. In 2026 we’ll be facing major challenges: we move from searching for one swell per year to three, across three continents. This is the true spirit of Capítulo Perfeito. Everyone is invited to experience this spectacle in Carcavelos, then in Mozambique and later in Indonesia,” he concluded.

2026 LINE-UP: 16 INVITEES AND A HISTORIC FIRST

Back in Carcavelos, the Cascais Capítulo Perfeito powered by Billabong keeps its classic 16-surfer invitational format, blending elite international talent, top Portuguese chargers and special wildcards.

 

The international surfers already confirmed for 2026 are:
Balaram Stack (USA), Bruno Santos (BRA), Joel Parkinson (AUS), Noah Beschen (HAW), Rob Machado (USA), Soli Bailey (AUS), Torrey Meister (HAW) and Tosh Tudor (USA), joined by the Reigning Champion Wildcard, Cam Richards (USA).

The 2026 edition also marks a historic moment, with Anne dos Santos (BRA) becoming the first international female surfer to ever make it into the main event.

“I’m truly honored to be the first woman to receive a direct invitation to compete at Capítulo Perfeito in Portugal,” said Anne dos Santos. “Every year, women are pushing the level higher in barreling waves, and being included in events that focus exclusively on tubes shows that we’re more than capable of stepping into this space.”

Finally, local invitees include Portugal’s finest barrel riders João Maria Mendonça, Miguel Blanco and Nic von Rupp.

FAN VOTING AND WILDCARDS

Fan engagement remains a cornerstone of Capítulo Perfeito. Once again, the public will vote online to decide one Portuguese surfer who will earn a spot in the final draw. Voting runs from January 8 to January 11 at www.capituloperfeito.com, with the winner announced January 12.

The fan poll nominees are: Pedro Boonman, Lourenço Sousa, Martim Fortes, Tiago Stock, Guilherme Fonseca, Afonso Antunes and Luís Perloiro.

Another spot will go to the winner of the Cascais Capítulo Perfeito Trials presented by UF Carcavelos-Parede in memory of Dapin. This local-only trial event will take place in Carcavelos during the main waiting period and features: João Moreira, Martim Nunes, João Kopke, Bruno Mendonça, Salvador Vala, António Carvalho “Lacrau”, Francisco Mittermayer and Miguel Kilford.

Finally, the organization will once again award the Performance Wildcard, to be announced only after the official call for the event. This last-minute invitation allows contest directors to bring in a world-class tube rider who has been lighting up heavy barrels during the waiting period — keeping suspense high right until the end.

SPECIAL WOMEN HEAT CONFIRMED FOR 2026

Following its successful debut in 2025, the Special Women Heat returns in 2026, reinforcing Capítulo Perfeito’s commitment to showcasing elite female tube riding. A special heat will take place between the semis and the final, featuring four promising local young women: Camila Cardoso, Gabriela Dinis, Mafalda Lopes and Maria Salgado.

SURFERS LIST — 16 TOTAL

International Surfers (9)
Anne dos Santos

Balaram Stack
Bruno Santos
Joel Parkinson
Noah Beschen
Rob Machado
Soli Bailey
Torrey Meister
Tosh Tudor

Portuguese Surfers (3)
João Maria Mendonça
Miguel Blanco
Nic von Rupp

Reigning Champion Wildcard (1)
Cam Richards

Trials Winner Wildcard (1)
TBA

Performance Wildcard (1)
TBA

Portuguese Surfer — Fan Vote (1)
TBA

Special Women Heat
Camila Cardoso
Gabriela Dinis
Mafalda Lopes
Maria Salgado