9. Peniche, Portugal

Words: Nick Carroll

Intro
Rip Curl came here on the Search, and couldn’t bring themselves to leave. No wonder. Portugal has some of the best deep-to-shallow-water beachbreaks and some of the keenest pro surfing fans on earth. If the world title run comes down to a solid day at Supertubos, there won’t be too much complaining. But the challenge here is in the hands of the head judge and event director; can they pick the eyes out of each day in the waiting period, and ensure this critical WT event plays its role in the race to the fullest?

The Wave
Supertubos, the hoped-for main site for the event, is a deepwater-fringed beachbreak on the southern side of Peniche’s peninsula-like headland, tucked away from the prevailing wind and the mass of what can often be colossal north-west autumn and winter surf. Swells refract around the headland and are affected by offshore river sand. The result, when the sand’s set right: a close, heavy barrel-fest capable of testing any top level surfer’s judgement (and quiver depth). Water temp is cool but comfortable.

Equipment
Classic high performance and marginal step-up equipment will be in the quivers, with as always the favourite “magic” board likely to prove the difference in close heats. The wildcard here is Peniche’s penchant for destroying lightweight surfboards. If strong surf persists throughout, the chances of anyone making it through to the quarters or semis without losing a board to a closeout are pretty slim … and all the quivers on tour will have taken a beating after several events in succession. The good fortune of a fresh set of backup boards can’t be underestimated here.

Keep Your Eyes On
Surfers on a roll after a solid run of contests will hold some strong cards at Peniche, where flukey wins from way back in the field are super unlikely. Watch for who’s in form coming off the US and France. Beyond that, physical strength and heat experience will be an asset at this bottleneck point in the season, when the toll on mind and body can really set in for anyone who’s not chasing a major overall placing.

Our Pick
Mick Fanning