Moreira enters the main event on the lookout to stir up trouble in home waters.

CASCAIS (January 18, 2023) – The Trials event for the 9th annual Perfect Chapter powered by Billabong took place today in challenging conditions at Carcavelos Beach, Portugal. Local surfer João Moreira claimed the top honors in the final to qualify for the main event.

It was a tough-as-nails event for all trialists with Carcavelos serving heavy, dramatic bomb sets throughout the day. In the end, Moreira overcame his home mates to take the win ahead of Francisco Laranjinha, João Kopke and Lourenço Sousa, securing the last remaining wildcard as the local hero.

Having proved he can perform at the highest level, Moreira will be a threat in the main event where his combination of local knowledge and natural barreling expertise will no doubt come in handy against the 15 previously confirmed tuberiding specialists in the heat draw – Adrian Buchan (AUS), Adriano de Souza (BRA), Aritz Aranburu (ES), Balaram Stack (USA), Bruno Santos (BRA), Clay Marzo (HAW), João Maria Mendonça (PRT), Michael, February (ZA), Miguel Blanco (PRT), Nathan Hedge (AUS), Nic von Rupp (PRT), Pedro Boonman (PRT), Salvador Vala (PRT), Tiago Pires (PRT) and Torrey Meister (HAW).

The stellar contingent will be ready to go as soon as the main event gets greenlighted, which won’t happen until the forecast indicates a consistent swell and strong enough offshore winds. This year there’s 25.000€ on the table plus 10.000€ in performance awards.

Check the highlights below.