Nazaré has had a good run recently. From the contest filled with chop-hops and jetski floaters to crew surviving near-death experiences at the fabled Portuguese big wave haunt.

One thing has become apparent in the last few years – the joint is legit. Gone are the days of Nazaré getting written off as burger or easy wave, that only takes guts to surf and not skill. It’s become one of surfing’s most coveted locations, and the top big wave surfers flock to the zone at the slightest sniff of a swell.

Nic von Rupp is one pro who is taking the Nazaré bull by the horns, paddling in under the lip on some psycho teepee’s and reaping the rewards. This session is the day after the contest and almost looks manageable from my iPhone screen. I’m sure it would look a little different over there.