The opening stop of the 2026 European Tour of Longboard (ETL) heads into its final day after another exciting day of competition at the Barreltopia Salinas Longboard Festival, where the event is organised jointly by the European Surfing Federation (ESF) and the Spanish Surfing Federation (FESurfing).

Saturday's action saw the completion of Round 2 of the Open divisions and the Pro Junior semi-finals, leaving the stage set for Sunday's decisive finals, where the first ETL champions of the 2026 season will be crowned.

The second day of competition once again demonstrated the depth of talent across the European longboard scene. Following Friday's early elimination of reigning ETL champion Thilde Sofie Rasmussen (DEN), another title contender, Ruby Knox (IRL), was also knocked out after a closely fought heat, highlighting just how competitive the opening event has become.

Despite the surprises, several of the pre-event favourites remain firmly in contention. Alice Lemoigne (FRA), Zoé Grospiron Lebreton (FRA), Margaux Vieuge (FRA), Joana Bento (POR) and Maya Glassnapp (FRA) all secured their places in Sunday's decisive rounds, where the battle for the first ETL Women's title of the season will be decided.

The Men's Open division is equally competitive. Spain will be represented by Nicolás Andrade, Martín García Andrade and Jon Garmendia, while France's Teiva Tartas and Max Jamet remain in contention alongside Ireland's Tom Breen and Brazil's Rodrigo Sphaier, the 2015 ISA World Champion and 2025 ISA World Championship runner-up.

In the Pro Junior category, Spain's Martín García Andrade once again impressed by posting 14.25 points to win his semi-final, while England's Reggie Roynon topped the second semi-final with 14.35 points. They will be joined in Sunday's final by France's Léo Le Tohic Casareggio and England's Rowan Curbishley after an outstanding day of competition. 

Meanwhile, in the Junior Girls division, newly crowned EuroSUP Surf Junior Girls European Champion Julieta Rodríguez-Villamil continued her excellent form by advancing to the semi-finals, where she will face France's Margaux Vieuge in one of the most anticipated heats of the event. 

Beyond the competition, the Barreltopia Salinas Longboard Festival once again showcased the values of European surfing by combining elite sport with cultural activities, live music and environmental initiatives, creating a unique atmosphere both on and off the beach.

The 2026 European Tour of Longboard concludes on Sunday, 26 July, with the Open and Pro Junior finals set to crown the first ETL champions of the new season in Salinas.

All photos and highlights by: mediatproducciones.es