Boardmasters Open crowns 2026 QS 4,000 champions

The Boardmasters Open has successfully concluded its inaugural World Surf League QS 4,000 division, with Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri and Sam Piter crowned the 2026 champions following two days of elite competition at Fistral Beach. While the Shortboard champions have been decided.

Upgraded to one of Europe's top three Qualifying Series events in partnership with YETI, the QS 4,000 attracted one of the strongest international fields ever seen at Boardmasters and gave British surfers the opportunity to compete for valuable ranking points on home soil as they continue their progression towards the LA 2028 Olympic cycle.

Despite smaller surf on finals day, competition remained at an exceptionally high standard as the world's emerging talent battled through the Round of 16, quarter-finals and then the semi-finals.

The men's draw featured standout performances from Britain's Lukas Skinner, Spain's Sean Gunning, France's Sam Piter and German brothers Kai and Hans Odriozola, while the women's semi-finals saw Clemence Schorsch, Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri, Nahia Milhau and Sol Borelli progress to the title showdown.

The women's final eventually saw Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri take victory and continue a remarkable family story after her sister claimed the Boardmasters title in 2025.

The men's final proved one of the closest contests of the event. Sam Piter narrowly defeated local favourite and two-time defending champion Lukas Skinner by just 0.17 points and sealed a fine victory in the closing moments of the heat.

Following the Shortboard finals, attention turned to the Longboard competition, where local favourites Adam Griffith, Emily Currie, and Lola Bleakley all secured places in the semi-finals. Former world champion Ben Skinner narrowly missed out on qualification by less than half a point. The Longboard semi-finals and finals remain on standby as organisers monitor conditions, with the world-class surfing action set to continue alongside the festival's music and lifestyle programme.

Competition began in ideal 3-4ft surf at Fistral Beach, allowing organisers to capitalise on favourable conditions by completing the men's and women's QS 4,000 draws through to the Round of 16 on the opening day.

Two-time defending champion Lukas Skinner emerged as the last remaining British surfer in the men's competition, while Sean Gunning posted the highest-scoring heat of the Round of 32. Eight British women progressed through to the Round of 32, with strong performances from Carla Morera De La Vall and Clemence Schorsch setting the tone for an exciting finals day.