Red Bull Big Wave Performance Camp Trains 9 Elite Surfers in Nazaré Portugal for 2026/27 Season

[Nazaré, November 12, 2026] — Nine of the world's premier big-wave surfers have concluded a high-intensity specialist safety and performance program in Portugal to prepare for the 2026/27 World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave season. The Red Bull Big Wave Performance Camp, which ran from October 31 to November 6, 2026, focused on mitigating the lethal risks associated with the Atlantic's most powerful swells.

The training took place in Nazaré, a coastal destination globally renowned for producing some of the largest rideable waves on earth. The program integrated underwater survival tactics, mental fortitude training, and advanced physical conditioning to ensure athletes can survive catastrophic wipeouts and maintain decision-making capabilities under extreme physiological stress.

The Catalyst for Specialist Training

The primary driver for this camp is the unpredictable and violent nature of the Nazaré coastline. Unlike standard surfing, big-wave surfing involves navigating water volumes that can pin a surfer beneath the surface for extended periods. The camp was designed to move beyond basic technical skill, focusing instead on "survival athletics."

A critical motivator for the underwater safety component was a December 2025 incident during the Nazaré Big Wave Challenge, where athlete Lucas Chianca remained trapped underwater for nearly 30 seconds following a severe wipeout. Such events highlight the necessity of apnea training and CO2 tolerance to prevent panic during oxygen deprivation.

Athlete Participation and Training Scope

The camp brought together a diverse group of international specialists. The training was split into three primary disciplines: air awareness, functional movement, and underwater stress management.

Participating Athletes

Athlete	Specialization/Background
Kai Lenny	Multi-disciplinary Waterman
Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca	Big Wave Specialist
Justine Dupont	Elite Female Big Wave Surfer
Pedro “Scooby” Vianna	Big Wave Specialist
Natxo Gonzalez	Big Wave Specialist
Lucas Fink	Big Wave Specialist
Carlos Burle	Big Wave Veteran
Dominique Charrier	Big Wave Specialist
Andrew Cotton	Big Wave Specialist

Training Curriculum Breakdown

Focus Area	Lead Instructor	Key Techniques & Tools
Air Awareness	Trennon Paynter	Specialist trampolines, safety harnesses, modified boards
Physical Conditioning	Rapha Romano	Ginástica Natural, U.Natural, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Underwater Safety	João “Jojo” Parisot	Wave Crushers Training System, Apnea, CO2 tolerance

What This Means for Travelers

While the Red Bull camp is a closed athlete-only event, its presence in Nazaré signals a broader trend in Portugal's adventure tourism sector. For travelers visiting the region, this underscores the extreme danger of the local waters.

Passenger and Visitor Impact:

• Increased Crowds: As the World Surf League (WSL) season kicks off, expect significant congestion in Nazaré’s hospitality and transport sectors.
• Safety Warnings: Amateur surfers and swimmers should heed all local warnings. The techniques used by these nine athletes are professional-grade; the Atlantic swells in this region are not suitable for untrained individuals.
• Tourism Infrastructure: The town's focus on elite sports continues to drive investment in local services, making it a hub for sports-related tourism, though visitors should book accommodations well in advance of winter swells.

For those interested in the regulatory side of maritime safety and ocean sports, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and local Portuguese coast guards provide guidelines on coastal safety and restricted zones during major surfing events.

The Future of Big Wave Preparation

The 2026/27 season will likely see a shift toward "holistic preparedness." The integration of freestyle skiing techniques (via Trennon Paynter) for air awareness suggests that big-wave surfing is borrowing from other extreme sports to reduce injury rates during falls.

The program reinforces Nazaré's status as the epicenter of global big-wave surfing. By institutionalizing safety training, the sport aims to reduce fatalities and increase the consistency of performances during the winter window.

FAQ: Nazaré Big Wave Safety 2026

Is the Red Bull Performance Camp open to the public? No. This was a specialist preparation program exclusively for nine invited professional athletes. It is not a public clinic or a tourism event.

Why is apnea training so important for surfers in Nazaré? Nazaré waves can hold surfers underwater for long durations. Training in CO2 tolerance and breath-holding allows athletes to remain calm and manage their oxygen levels during "hold-downs."

When is the best time for tourists to visit Nazaré to see big waves? The winter season, typically from October through March, is when the most substantial Atlantic swells occur, attracting professional surfers and global spectators.

Can amateur surfers use the techniques taught at the camp? Amateurs should seek certified instructors. The techniques used—such as those from the Wave Crushers Training System—require professional supervision to avoid the risk of shallow-water blackout.

The line between elite performance and survival in Nazaré is measured in seconds of breath.

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