La Vaca Gigante by Oakley is a big wave surfing event organised by ObsessionA2 Club that takes place at ‘El Bocal’ cliffs, near the city of Santander, in Northern Spain.

Along with Punta Galea Challenge, La Vaca Gigante by Oakley is the only extreme surf event in Spain, internationally appreciated as one of the very few big wave competitions in Europe.

The event is invitational for 42 riders, with a few slots reserved for the surfers, locals or not, who apply for an entry via social media.

What makes La Vaca so special is the unique characteristics of the wave: on a given day, when conditions are right, 20 to 24 feet waves may occur. A long waiting period –September to March- is set to ensure plenty of opportunity for optimum conditions to happen, and the event can go on after a one-week alert, when surf and wind forecast is favorable.

In 2016 La Vaca Gigante by Oakley had 54 of the best specialists and, for the first time ever, a female rider big wave champion.