World’s Top Tube-Riding Surf Contest Goes Global

Capítulo Perfeito, the specialty one day, one swell surf contest in Portugal, has dropped big plans for 2026 – including new destinations, and more of the world’s best tube-riders.

Remaining true to its heritage, the main event will be held at Carcavelos Beach in Cascais, Portugal. But this year, they’re going beyond the thumping beachbreaks of Portugal, and bringing the contest to Mozambique and Indonesia, too.

“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. 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.”

Last year, it was East Coast surfer Cam Richards who took the top honors in the event, along with Portuguese native Yolanda Hopkins in the first-ever women’s division.

As for this year, per a press release: “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.”

Then, there’s the two global events, which will run as follows:

Mozambique – Praia da Barra, with a waiting period from January 12 to March 30

Indonesia – Desert Point, Lombok, running between September 1 and 15

Follow along as things unfold, swell forecasts are studied, and the call is made. In the meantime, see below for the roster of surfers who will be competing:

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