Blue skies, blazing sun, and bombs breaking both left and right — El Frontón delivered a few gems, proving once again why it’s considered one of the best bodyboard waves on the planet. Conditions were not huge as previous editions, but was gnarly enough to put on a show: huge airs, high scores, and nonstop emotion.
Seventeen years after claiming his first world title — and just turned 40 — Brazilian legend Uri Valadão was crowned 2025 World Bodyboard Champion this Saturday in the men’s division during the Gran Canaria Frontón King, the final and most anticipated stop of the IBC World Tour.
“I’ve been chasing this dream for 17 years — to be back in the fight for the world title, here at El Frontón. The energy from the Canarian crowd, the wave… everything has been amazing. This is the best moment of my life,” he said with a trophy in hand, adding “I’ve worked hard — physically and mentally. I feel more complete than ever. I’m still radical, but with more balance… and most importantly, I’m still having as much fun as I did in 2008.”
Uri’s friend Eder Luciano beat him in the quarters, but the title was sealed after French rider Pierre-Louis Costes, his last remaining rival for the crown, lost in the semifinals to fellow Frenchman Amaury Lavernhe. The event, held on the rugged north coast of Gáldar, turned the island into the epicenter of world bodyboarding for two weeks of pure adrenaline and a touch of controversy – with an important heat being resurfed in the early rounds, a few polemic scores, and also unexpected heat results according to the fans and online viewers.
Amaury Lavernhe, meanwhile, went all the way to the top once again, taking down local favorite Lionel Medina in a historic final to be crowned King of El Frontón. The two had already faced off back in 2020 — that time the Canarian came out on top. But this year, the Frenchman (now based in Gáldar), a two-time world champ and true master of this wave, showed once more why he’s a living legend. With flawless surfing and years of experience on his side, he added a fourth Frontón title to his name.
In the junior division, 16-year-old French prodigy Louka Zaniotto took down Gran Canaria’s Alberto Pérez, becoming World Junior Champion and Prince of El Frontón all in one day. For the first time ever, the final brought together every top rider of the year with equal chances — a new format that amped up the drama in what’s already the sport’s hottest talent pool.
