Portuguese rider Joel Rodrígues and Canary Islander Teresa Padilla claimed the top honors in the Open and Women’s divisions, while Unax Pascual and David Valladares took the Junior and Dropknee titles, respectively, after an unforgettable weekend of world-class bodyboarding in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
The ETB Gran Canaria Pro 2025 wrapped up in spectacular fashion with packed crowds lining Las Canteras Avenue to witness a thrilling day of finals. After three days of competition, the event crowned Joel Rodrígues (Open), Teresa Padilla (Women), Unax Pascual (Junior), and David Valladares (Dropknee) as champions.
The day began with the Open quarterfinals, where world champion Armide Soliveres electrified the audience with a perfectly executed back spin worth 8.25 points. Rising Basque star Unax Pascual also stood out in one of the morning’s toughest heats, later securing his place in the semifinals with another impressive combination of moves. Meanwhile, Rodrígues delivered one of the standout rides of the day with a massive wave that earned him a spot in the final alongside Soliveres, Haddar, and Pascual.
From the very first minute of the Open final, Rodrígues set the bar high with a daring maneuver that scored an 8.75—the highest of the entire competition. The heat turned into a masterclass of style and precision, with Anas Haddar and Pascual thrilling the crowd with spectacular aerials and tight exchanges. In the end, Rodrígues’ early dominance proved decisive, securing him the title ahead of Pascual, Haddar, and Soliveres.
The Women’s division delivered an equally exciting showdown featuring a dream final lineup: European Champion Teresa Padrela, Junior European Champion Luana Dourado, World Runner-up Teresa Padilla, and reigning World Champion Alexandra Rinder. The experienced riders took control early with powerful lefts and clean rolls. Midway through, Dourado briefly took the lead, but in a dramatic last-minute finish, it was Teresa Padilla who sealed the victory, followed by Padrela, Rinder, and Dourado.
In the Junior category, the semifinals tested the judges’ nerves, with the first heat ending in a rare triple tie at 9.75. Unax Pascual continued his impressive run, advancing to his second final of the event alongside locals Mauro Bolaños and Néstor Reyes, and Portuguese standout Vicente Campos. Pascual opened strong in the final, locking in a 7.50—one of the best scores of the day—to secure the Junior crown and his second podium of the event. Campos climbed to second with a last-minute flourish, followed by Reyes and Bolaños.
The Dropknee division showcased both experience and technical mastery, with a stacked field including two-time world champion Amaury Lavernhe. The final featured Fabien Thazar (France), David Valladares (Venezuela), and locals Hugo Fernández and Héctor Rodríguez. Thazar led early with fast, precise turns, but Valladares responded with a fluid combination that earned him a 7 and the event title. Thazar’s runner-up finish also secured him the European circuit championship, with Fernández and Rodríguez completing the top four.
The event concluded with the awards ceremony, attended by Tiago Matos (Technical Director, European Surfing Federation), Vicente Pérez (Director, ETB Gran Canaria), Laura Cambil (Communications Director, ETB Gran Canaria Pro), and Sergio San Román (Sports Director).
Event director Vicente Pérez summed up the edition as “a complete success, both in terms of attendance and competition. Seeing Las Canteras packed for three consecutive days, with over eight nations represented along the avenue, was incredible. The level of performance was outstanding. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved—and already focused on growing even more in 2026.”
All updates and event highlights can be found on @etbgancanariapro and on the official website www.grancanariaprobb.com.
ETB Gran Canaria Pro 2025 is organized by MPG Events in collaboration with the European Surfing Federation and the Canary Surfing Federation. The event is sponsored by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria through the Island Institute of Sports and Gran Canaria Tourism, the Government of the Canary Islands (Vice-Ministry of Physical Activity and Sports), and the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council through the Municipal Institute for the Promotion of Physical Activity and Sport and Turismo LPA. Partners include Alisios, Viveros Godoy, Hotel Cristina by Tigotán Las Palmas, Audiovisuales Canarias, Aguas de Firgas, Decoratina Vinilos Decorativos, Red Bull, Brisa Bodyboard, Emicela, and Martínez Cano Canarias.
ETB Gran Canaria Pro 2025 – Podium Results
OPEN
1st Joel Rodrígues (POR)
2nd Unax Pascual (ESP)
3rd Anas Haddar (MAR)
4th Armide Soliveres (ESP)
WOMEN
1st Teresa Padilla (ESP)
2nd Teresa Padrela (POR)
3rd Alexandra Rinder (ESP)
4th Luana Dourado (POR)
JUNIOR
1st Unax Pascual (ESP)
2nd Vicente Campos (POR)
3rd Néstor Reyes (ESP)
4th Mauro Bolaños (ESP)
DROPKNEE
1st David Valladares (VEN)
2nd Fabien Thazar (FRA)
3rd Hugo Fernández (ESP)
4th Héctor Rodríguez (ESP)