With Nazare getting all the attention yesterday, it seems Europe’s other big wave break, Belharra, slippped under the radar. Trying telling that to Justine Dupont, who rode this wave above into the XXL contention around 10am yesterday morning. Surfing with the Billabong Adventure Division’s Francois Liets and Sancho, this was Dupont’s first crack at Belharra. “She really wanted it, there was no question about that. It was pretty impressive.” said Liets.

Sancho tried to paddle surf the session, however being the only paddle surfer, strong winds and long lulls made it all but impossible to stay in position. He, along with Alain Riou, Peyo Lizarazu, Stéphane Iralour and Eric Rougé all managed to tow into a few Belharra bombs.

But the big props went to Dupont, who after falling on her first wave came back and is starting to get a reputation as Europe’s biggest female charger. “Look I am still learning and have to make sure I don’t take things to fast,” said Dupont. “I just wanted to catch a few waves out there. I was confident though and am looking forward to the winter ahead.”