Gran Canaria Frontón King 2026: IBC World Tour to crown its world champions

From October 17 to 31, the Gran Canaria Frontón King 2026 will bring together the world’s top riders in Gáldar, Gran Canaria, for the final event of the IBC World Tour season, where the Men and Junior Men world champions will be crowned.

The competition will take place at El Frontón, one of the most demanding waves on the tour, known for its barrels, ramps and highly challenging conditions. The organizers will have a 15-day window to select the six best days of surf, depending on ocean conditions.

In the Open Men category, a maximum of 82 riders will compete, including the 16 athletes currently ranked in the Top 16. The event winner will receive US 35,000 and 5,000 ranking points. Meanwhile, the Junior Men category will bring together 48 riders from five continents and 11 countries, who will battle for the world title as well as a US$10,000 prize and 1,000 points.

Official Poster of Frontón King 2026. IBC : Fronton King

Now, the main focus falls on South African Tristan Roberts, who arrives as the world rankings leader and, according to the IBC, only needs to complete his first heat to be crowned the 2026 world champion. However, once the preliminary rounds reduce the field from 80 participants to the 32 finalists, uncertainty surrounding the world title will remain in Gáldar.

Tristán Roberts at El Frontón. Tonyboadyboardelbola

Beyond the world title race, the Frontón King will also be the stage for an intense battle to secure a place among the season’s Top 16, which earns direct qualification for the 2027 World Tour Main Event. The current Top 5 consists of Tristan Roberts, Pierre-Louis Costes, Amaury Lavernhe, local rider Armide Soliveres and Ethan Capdeville.

In addition, French veteran Amaury Lavernhe’s experience at this venue makes him one of the riders to watch during the final event of the World Tour. He will look to repeat last year’s performance at one of the most demanding waves on the circuit and defend the title he won at the 2025 Frontón King.

Amaury Lavernhe the "King of Frontón" 2025 with his award. IBC : Frontón King

As for the Junior category, the title race comes after a Rising Series qualifying circuit held in Australia, Morocco, Peru, Mexico, the Maldives and Spain. The grand final will feature 48 spots for athletes from different parts of the world, with 42 awarded through the various Rising Series events, while the remaining six spots are wildcards assigned according to World Tour criteria.

At present, 43 of the 48 spots have been confirmed, while the remaining five places are still being determined. Among the riders heading to Gran Canaria will be Frenchman Louka Zaninotto, the reigning Junior World Champion, who will look to defend the crown he won last season.

Louka Zaninotto competing at Frontón King 2025. IBC : Frontón King

In this context, Gran Canaria will have two major questions left to answer: who will prevail at El Frontón and who will lift the Junior World Championship trophy? Both outcomes will mark the end of a season that will bring experience and the next generation of international bodyboarding together on the same wave.