The European Qualifying Series (QS) season of the World Surf League has come to a close following the Pro Taghazout Bay (QS 4,000), where Basque surfers Janire González-Etxabarri and Adur Amatriain claimed victory and secured their titles as European QS Champions for the 2025/2026 season.

Both athletes delivered outstanding performances throughout the season, culminating in their wins in Morocco. Their consistency and competitive strength have positioned them among Europe’s leading surfers, reinforcing their status as key figures heading into the next stage of international competition.

Road to the 2026 Challenger Series

The Pro Taghazout Bay also played a decisive role in determining the European surfers who qualify for the 2026 Challenger Series — the crucial pathway to the Championship Tour (CT), the highest level of professional surfing under the World Surf League.

In the men’s division, alongside Amatriain, surfers such as Guilherme Ribeiro, Ido Hagag, Yago Domínguez, Sean Gunning, Conor Donegan Dos Santos, and Tiago Carrique have secured their places. In the women’s division, González-Etxabarri will be joined by María Salgado, Alys Barton, and Ariane Ochoa.

Together, this group reflects the depth, diversity, and growing strength of European surfing, with a new generation ready to compete on the global stage.

A strong future for European surfing

The conclusion of the 2025/2026 QS season highlights the continued development of European surfing and the increasing presence of its athletes at the international level. Qualification for the Challenger Series not only rewards season-long performance but also opens the door to the Championship Tour, where the world’s elite compete.

The European Surfing Federation welcomes these results and reaffirms its commitment to supporting athletes across the continent, as European surfing continues to build momentum and global impact.

All photo credits: World Surf League.