There are signs locals know all too well. The swell lining up, the distant thud of waves detonating offshore, the beach filling up before breakfast – that’s the tell-tale warning that the Cascais Capítulo Perfeito powered by Billabong might be about to start. The competition returns between 12 January and 12 March, staying true to its founding principle: it only runs on the best day of winter. They call it the perfect day.
For almost eight years now, Carcavelos beach has turned into a stage for the world’s best tube riders – Portuguese and international – but 2026 raises the bar. Alongside the main event on the Cascais coast, still very much the heart and soul of Capítulo Perfeito, the competition expands to two bucket-list surf destinations: Praia da Barra, in Mozambique, and Desert Point, Lombok, in Indonesia. The rule is the same everywhere: no heat without exceptional conditions.
The line-up doesn’t disappoint either. The 2026 edition brings together some of the biggest names in the tube-riding universe: Joel Parkinson, Rob Machado, Bruno Santos, Balaram Stack, Soli Bailey, Tosh Tudor and more. This year also marks a historic milestone, with Anne dos Santos becoming the first international female surfer to be directly invited into the main event. On the Portuguese side, João Maria Mendonça, Miguel Blanco and Nic Von Rupp are already confirmed, alongside reigning champion Cam Richards.
As tradition dictates, the public also gets a say. Until 11 January, fans can vote online to choose the Portuguese surfer who completes the main draw. And, of course, there’s still the mystery of the Wildcard Performance: a spot awarded to a surfer who stands out in heavy barrels during the waiting period, only to be revealed in the days leading up to the event.
The Special Women Heat, introduced last year, is back too, with Camila Cardoso, Gabriela Dinis, Mafalda Lopes and Maria Salgado, reinforcing Capítulo Perfeito’s ambition to be a competition for all surfers.
Capítulo Perfeito is the day everyone waits for, from pro surfers and die-hard amateurs to those who just love watching, even if they don’t know a thing about surfing. It’s the perfect excuse to show up, soak up the winter sun and wait for that magical moment of silence just before a barrel clamps shut.