The Wave Capital hosts a competition with 12 surfers still in contention.
The famous waves of Peniche and the Portuguese west coast will host the fifth and final stage of the MEO Surf League 2025, the Bom Petisco Peniche Pro. The men’s national title will be at stake in Peniche from October 24th to 26th, with 12 contenders still in contention. The men’s contenders for the top Portuguese surfing title are: Francisco Ordonhas, Luís Perloiro, João Mendonça, Martins Nunes, Tiago Stock, Jaime Veselko, Tomás Fernandes, Joaquim Chaves, Afonso Antunes, Guilherme Ribeiro, Matias Canhoto*, and Frederico Morais* (*surfers whose participation in the Bom Petisco Peniche Pro has not yet been confirmed).
Luís Perloiro arrives in Peniche at the top of the rankings and wearing the yellow Go Chill jersey, but Francisco Ordonhas emerges as the main contender for the title, as he will virtually take the lead as soon as he dons the competition jersey. For Ordonhas, the current European Junior Champion, reaching the semifinals in Peniche is enough to seal his first national title.
However, Perloiro and João Mendonça also appear well-positioned in this fight, should Ordonhas miss his target. The middle group includes Martim Nunes, Tiago Stock, and Matias Canhoto, while Jaime Veselko, Tomás Fernandes, Joaquim Chaves Afonso Antunes, the current national champion Guilherme Ribeiro, and Frederico Morais are in a group of surfers who need a strong result, still dependent on various combinations of results from others and, therefore, with a lower chance of winning this competition.
MEO Surf League 2025 National Title Scenarios
– Francisco Ordonhas takes the virtual lead in the rankings as soon as he dons his jersey in Peniche;
– If Francisco Ordonhas reaches the semifinals (3rd), he is automatically the national champion;
– If Francisco Ordonhas reaches the third round, he forces the other candidates to advance to the final or win the round to be in contention, leaving Guilherme Ribeiro, Afonso Antunes, and Frederico Morais out of the running.
– In addition to Francisco Ordonhas, Luís Perloiro, João Mendonça, Martim Nunes, Tiago Stock, Matias Canhoto, Jaime Veselko, Tomás Fernandes, Joaquim Chaves, Afonso Antunes, Guilherme Ribeiro, and Frederico Morais make up the list of 12 candidates still in contention for the title.
Men’s National Champions Gallery
Vasco Ribeiro – 5 titles (2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2021)
Ruben Gonzalez – 4 titles (2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008)
Frederico Morais – 3 titles (2013, 2015, and 2020)
José Gregório – 3 titles (1997, 2003, and 2007)
João Antunes – 3 titles (1994, 1996, and 1998)
Miguel Blanco – 2 titles (2018 and 2019)
Justin Mujica – 2 titles (1999 and 2010)
Guilherme Ribeiro – 2 titles (2022 and 2024)
Surfers with one national title: Bruno Charneca, Almir Salazar, Rodrigo Herédia, Marcos Anastácio, Paulo Rodrigues, Gustavo Gouveia, Tiago Pires, João Guedes, Pedro Henrique, and Joaquim Chaves.
This is, therefore, a highly anticipated stage, with high expectations for the national title decision. This is evidenced by the testimonies of historic Portuguese surfers, who also reached the top of the national surfing scene in the past.
Ruben Gonzalez, national champion in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008
“In my opinion, João Mendonça, Luís Perloiro, and Francisco Ordonhas, who has one stage less, are the top contenders for the title. Perloiro because he’s got the hang of surfing and has been consistent throughout the year. Ordonhas is going through a great phase in his career, with good national and international results. He’s a young surfer who’s been making waves in every Pro Junior he competes in, and I think he’s a kid who’s competing with ease, as he still has many years ahead of him. On the other hand, João Maria Mendonça is a more irreverent young man, with super radical surfing, but somewhat extreme. But he’s undoubtedly also a top contender. Among the others, I see Matias Canhoto, who competes at home, and Jaime Veselko, who started to achieve good results in the MEO Surf League. Surfing in Lagido is an incredible place, with excellent waves, on a coast with all types of seas.
Justin Mujica, national champion in 1999 and 2010
“I think it’s very interesting to have 12 surfers competing for the title, because it means everyone is pushing each other. Having this number of athletes competing for the title in the final stage is a very good and positive thing for Brazilian surfing. I don’t have a favourite; I think everything will depend on the day of the final and whoever is better on that day. I believe everyone is at the same level, so I wouldn’t risk a favourite. I’d say Peniche could be the ideal stage, depending on the day, the waves, and the chosen beach. Let’s hope for good waves, that everyone can showcase their surfing, and that the champion is a worthy winner.”
João Antunes, national champion in 1994, 1996, and 1998
“I think Peniche is a great place, offering excellent conditions and working with a variety of winds and swells. Therefore, it can always offer good conditions for the candidates to compete for the title in the best possible way and with the greatest possible fair play.”
Rodrigo Heredia, 1993 national champion
“Having 12 surfers competing for the national title in the final stage isn’t very normal. I think João Mendonça, Luís Perloiro, and Francisco Ordonhas are in a privileged position compared to others. There are athletes with fewer championships, others with low results to be replaced, so I think anything can happen in this final stage. It will all depend on the sea conditions because all these surfers have completely different performances depending on the type of waves. This will create some rivalry among the athletes because the sea conditions will be important in determining the national champion. I think Peniche is always a perfect stage to finish a national or even international circuit. It’s a place that brings together the best waves in a short distance and allows the competition to be held in any type of wind and direction. The forecast doesn’t seem to be the best in terms of size. If it’s at Lagido, I believe the regulars will have an advantage. I think it will be a battle to the finish, as many of the contenders are likely to reach the final stages.”
The women’s national title has already been won. Awarded in advance to Teresa Bonvalot at the Ribeira Grande stage in the Azores, last June.
Gallery of Women’s National Champions
Patrícia Lopes – 11 titles (1995, 1997 to 2006)
Teresa Bonvalot – 6 titles (2014, 2015, 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2025)
Teresa Abraços – 3 titles (1992, 1993 and 1996)
Carolina Mendes – 2 titles (2016 and 2017)
Carina Duarte – 2 titles (2008 and 2013)
Francisca Santos – 2 titles (2007 and 2010)
Maria Abecasis – 2 titles (2011 and 2012)
Francisca Veselko – 2 titles (2021 and 2023)
Surfers with one national title: Joana Rocha and Yolanda Hopkins.
Bom Petisco Peniche Pro 2024 in numbers:
– Stage Champions: Guilherme Ribeiro and Gabriela Dinis
– 1,186 waves surfed by 94 registered surfers
– Best wave (maximum 10 points): Afonso Antunes, 9.50 points in Round 3
– Best score (maximum 20 points): Afonso Antunes, 17 points in Round 3
Bom Petisco Peniche Pro Winners’ History
2024 – Guilherme Ribeiro and Gabriela Dinis
2023 – Guilherme Ribeiro and Maria Salgado
2022 – Guilherme Ribeiro and Maria Salgado
2021 – Afonso Antunes and Francisca Veselko
2013 – Frederico Morais and Maria Abecasis
2012 – Nic von Rupp and Teresa Bonvalot
The Bom Petisco Peniche Pro will also serve as a tribute to the late Zion Bronchi, one of the most talented young Portuguese surfers, who recently passed away after a long battle with illness. Therefore, all competitors in the final stage of the MEO Surf League 2025 will enter the water wearing jerseys bearing Zion Brocchi’s name.
Francisco Rodrigues, President of the National Surfers Association
“Zion was a surfer we cherished throughout his fight against his illness, which unfortunately ended in the worst possible way last September. Frederico Morais and Teresa Bonvalot spearheaded the positive energy movement when they welcomed him to a MEO Surf League event and provided him with signed competition jerseys, in the case of Kikas, from a World Surf League elite championship event. And because one of Zion’s dreams was to compete at the highest level, here we are, with not just a late Zion competing, but every surfer in the competition wearing a custom Lycra made by and for Zion. That’s right: Zion will compete with everyone at the Bom Petisco Peniche Pro in full adherence to the spirit of ‘Live Like Zion.'”
Joana Pinto Coelho, Marketing Director, Bom Petisco
“The Bom Petisco National. The sea is part of Bom Petisco’s essence. It is from the sea that our connection with tradition and quality is born, and it is also where we find inspiration to support surfing and its values. The Bom Petisco Girls Score is the expression of this commitment, recognising the talent and determination of the women who make the sea their passion! We invite everyone to join us at the Bom Petisco Peniche Pro and experience this stage where you can truly experience the spirit of Portuguese surfing.”
The 5th stage of the MEO Surf League, the Bom Petisco Peniche Pro, is also part of the Better Portugal Project, developed by the National Surfers Association with the support of Visit Portugal. The project aims to promote the optimisation of the skills of surf tourism providers in Portugal, specifically in the surfing communities visited by the MEO Surf League in Peniche. This session will take place on Friday morning, October 24th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. This initiative is open to all interested parties who wish to participate. Furthermore, based on their sporting merit, the National Surfers Association will invite five young surfers under 20 years old, as natural ambassadors of Portugal, to participate in a surf training and development camp, led by one of the world’s leading coaches, to be held on a date to be announced.
Fantasy Surfer – Place Your Bets
Winner’s Prize: Quiksilver Highline Surfsuit
Team Formation Deadline: Call Time on the first day of competition
All stages can be followed live on Sport TV, as well as on other official channels: MEO’s Facebook page, the MEO app – available at position 810 on the MEO channel grid, www.ansurfistas.com, and social media at @ansurfistas.
The MEO Surf League 2025 is an organisation of the National Surfers Association, with the sponsorship of MEO, Bom Petisco, Allianz Seguros, Go Chill, Corona, Somersby, PRIO, the sustainability partner Jerónimo Martins, Quiksilver, Visit Portugal, the local support of the Municipality of Peniche, and the technical support of the Peniche Surfing Club and the Portuguese Surfing Federation.
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Published on 2025.10.15
