Action Kicks Off at the 2026 GADIS Surf Festival in Ferrol

The 2026 GADIS Surf Festival in Ferrol brings elite longboarders and junior surfers to Spain for a pivotal week of qualifying competition at Playa de Esmelle.

Action Kicks Off at the 2026 GADIS Surf Festival in Ferrol

The GADIS Surf Festival Ferrol is officially underway at Playa de Esmelle in Galicia, Spain, bringing together Europe's elite longboarders and young surfing talents. As a double-header event featuring both the Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) and the Junior Qualifying Series (JQS), this festival represents a critical milestone for athletes aiming to secure their spots in upcoming world tour competitions.

Key event takeaways

  • The festival features both professional longboard and junior divisions.
  • The tournament serves as a key regional qualifier for the World Longboard Tour.
  • Following a weather-related delay, competition commenced with successful heats in the longboard category.
  • The junior division marks the second stop on the 2026 European junior circuit, featuring top regional seeds.

Longboard competition highlights

After an initial delay caused by small surf conditions at the start of the week, the GADIS Longboard Pro Ferrol finally received the green light, providing glassy waves for the competitors. French athlete Margaux Vieuge dominated the women’s quarterfinals with a stellar 13.80 heat total, showcasing technical prowess while executing complex board-walking maneuvers. On the men's side, Jon Garmendia Gonzalez impressed with a 14.16 score, highlighting the high level of talent currently being displayed in the European longboard scene.

Junior pro prospects

The GADIS Junior Pro Ferrol is central to the season's momentum, serving as the second stop for the European Junior Qualifying Series. The competition field is highly competitive, with 15-year-old Carla Morera De La Vall entering as a top seed, looking to improve upon her previous career results. Defending event winner Alfonso Suarez also returns to the water as the local favorite, aiming to defend the title he captured during his standout 2025 campaign. As these surfers navigate the shifting conditions at Playa de Esmelle, the event continues to be a vital proving ground for the next generation of professional talent.

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