Nazare Bites With Tom Butler

Historic times at the back end of last year when tom butler and cotty got invited to the first nazare challenge. It was a heavy event and tom was among those that ended up in hospital...

- Sharpy

How stoked were you to get an invite to the historic first WSL Big Wave Nazare event?

It was a dream come true. Since I first heard of the BWWT I wanted to have a crack at an event. I had an amazing 27th birthday, I was in L.A with my girlfriend Emily shortlisted for barrel of the year. I opened up my emails on the morning of my B-day and had an email from Ian Mitchinson with his shot of me on the front cover of the Irish times. The next email in the inbox was from the WSL saying Nazare had been added to the BWT! I was so amped that day. I thought I might have a slight chance at an invite after putting in four seasons at Nazare. At the awards a few of the surfers came up to me and said 'yeah you’ll be in it for sure'. I just tried my best to get back on my feet. I tore my tendon bad in my right ankle last April and was out the water until the end of June. I trained everyday to get ready for this winter season and kept hopeful that I might get my invite to Nazare, so couldn’t be happier that I got a chance to compete.

What’s the process? Does Pete Mel just give you a call to say you’ve got the nod?

I got an email through from the WSL around the end of September with an attachment showing the surfers and alternates invited for the Nazare Challenge. I was first alternate which means if someone doesn’t turn up or is injured I would drop into the main event. I was a bit bummed I didn’t get into the main event straight off but remained positive I might get my chance still.