Der Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf-Weltcup 2026 findet vom 4. bis 12. Juli am Strand von El Arenal in Santa Lucía de Tirajana statt und versammelt die weltbesten Spezialisten der Wellen-Disziplin aus dem internationalen Wettkampfzirkus.
Die Windsurf-Elite der Welt hat bereits den Strand El Arenal in Pozo Izquierdo im Visier – den Austragungsort der 38. Ausgabe des Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup vom 4. bis 12. Juli 2026. Diese unter der Leitung der Legende Björn Dunkerbeck organisierte Kultveranstaltung der internationalen PWA-Tour festigt ihre Position an der Spitze der World Wave Tour in dieser einzigartigen und spektakulären Wellen-Disziplin und versammelt die besten Profi-Windsurfer und Nachwuchstalente der Welt in der „Heimat des Windes“.
The official presentation ceremony, held this Wednesday morning, received significant institutional backing that highlights the sporting, social, and economic impact of the competition for the island. The President of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, led an institutional delegation that also included the Deputy Minister of Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands, Ángel Sabroso; the First Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Sports of Santa Lucía de Tirajana, Julio Ojeda; as well as the event organiser, Björn Dunkerbeck.
The authorities highlighted the extraordinary international projection that hosting one of the most prestigious events on the world calendar brings to Gran Canaria, as well as the enormous anticipation generated by the participation of figures such as Philip Köster (Severne Windsurfing) and Daida Ruano Moreno (Goya Windsurfing). The reigning male and female champions, respectively, will defend their titles against some of the best specialists on the international circuit, such as Marino Gil (JP / NeilPryde), Liam Dunkerbeck (Duotone Windsurfing), Sol Degrieck (Severne Windsurfing), Lina Erpenstein (Severne Windsurfing), Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC), and Víctor Fernández (Duotone Windsurfing), among others.
During the presentation, the President of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, underscored the international relevance of a competition that, in his view, is already part of the island's sporting and social history.
"This event is, without a doubt, one of the most important in the world. The Pozo Izquierdo championship has built an international recognition that has helped forge the history of windsurfing in the Canary Islands and project the image of Gran Canaria across the globe, transmitting values such as sustainability, respect for the sea, for the territory, and for the responsible practice of sports," he stated.
Morales also emphasised the decisive role the championship has played in consolidating Gran Canaria as a worldwide reference point for this sport.
"The Windsurfing World Cup has allowed us to place ourselves on the international map linked to this discipline. The wind of Pozo Izquierdo has boosted the presence of Gran Canarian windsurfing in the world and has seen the birth of male and female champions who are benchmarks today, starting with Björn Dunkerbeck, his son Liam Dunkerbeck, Philip Köster, the sisters Daida and Iballa Ruano (Severne Windsurfing), as well as all those who have continued that legacy and turned Gran Canaria into a benchmark for world windsurfing," he pointed out.
For his part, the Deputy Minister of Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands, Ángel Sabroso, highlighted the solidity and deep roots of a competition now reaching its thirty-eighth edition.
"Thirty-eight years is no coincidence. Windsurfing in Gran Canaria would not be understood without this event, which also offers a unique opportunity for young Canarian athletes to measure themselves against the best professionals on the international scene," he explained.
Sabroso particularly emphasised the boost the championship gives to grassroots sports and the emerging talent of the archipelago.
"Beyond the professional and Master categories, this event contributes enormously to the development of grassroots windsurfing, allowing our young athletes—many of them with enormous potential—to compete at home against the world's elite, something especially valuable in a discipline where it is not always easy to travel abroad to compete."
The First Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Sports of the Santa Lucía de Tirajana City Council, Julio Ojeda, highlighted the championship's role as the municipality's main international showcase.
"After 38 years of history, no one can doubt that the Windsurfing World Cup is Santa Lucía de Tirajana's main showcase to the world. Every July, millions of people set their sights on Pozo Izquierdo to watch the best riders on the planet competing on one of the best racecourses in the world," he affirmed.
Ojeda also expressed gratitude for the institutional and business involvement that has allowed the event to consolidate for nearly four decades.
"This is possible thanks to the collaboration between administrations and the commitment of sponsors and collaborators edition after edition, but above all thanks to the effort and generosity of those who have worked for years to build this legacy and keep it growing. The Windsurfing World Cup has become a hallmark of Santa Lucía de Tirajana; it represents us as a municipality, it is the door that connects us to the world and the window through which the world gets to know us."
Finally, Björn Dunkerbeck thanked the institutions and sponsors that make the championship possible year after year and highlighted the excellent training conditions recorded over the last few weeks in Pozo Izquierdo.
"Practically all the world champions and the best windsurfers have been training here since June, and we have enjoyed magnificent conditions," he noted.
Dunkerbeck also recalled that the competition will take place between July 4 and 12 and will bring together more than 120 international riders.
"We will have competition for all categories and for all wind conditions that may occur during the week in Pozo Izquierdo," he concluded.
So that fans around the globe don't miss a single manoeuvre in the skies of Pozo Izquierdo, the organisation has prepared an unprecedented technological deployment. The competition will be streamed in its entirety via the revolutionary WWT Digital HUB platform, which will also feature the technical support of real-time data analysis assisted by Windsurf AI.
Innovation on the Water and Dynamism on Land
The major sporting novelty this year is once again the absolute and exclusive focus on the wave discipline. During 9 intense days, athletes in the professional categories will alternate with the young prospects of the youth divisions (U13, U15, U18, and U21, both men's and women's) and the experienced competitors in the Master +45 category.
Alongside the adrenaline at sea, the organisation has designed an onshore event agenda that is highly attractive to the public and the fans who will fill the grandstands at Pozo Izquierdo Beach. Among the most notable recreational and cultural activities are:
Friday, July 3: Reception and credential distribution (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM) followed by the official opening ceremony and autograph signing with international riders at the Atlántico Vecindario Shopping Center.
Sunday, July 5: "Canary Islands and its Traditions" cultural day featuring folk music, popular songs, and tastings of typical local gastronomy.
Thursday, July 9: Guided environmental and heritage education tour to the Salinas de Tenefé, departing from the main tent.
Friday, July 10: Educational day with the Las Salinas Summer Campus, which will include beach cleaning, first aid courses, and a grand raffle for tickets to Poema del Mar and Loro Parque.
Saturday, July 11: Live concert by Lara Márquez featuring her cajón to liven up the sunset before the final days of competition.
The 38th edition of the Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup is supported by Canary Islands Tourism (Government of the Canary Islands), the Cabildo de Gran Canaria (through Gran Canaria Tourism and the Ministry of Sports), the Santa Lucía de Tirajana City Council, and the Gloria Palace hotel. As collaborators, the event joins the efforts of Volkswagen Comercial, Monte Feliz Playitas, Centro Comercial Atlántico, Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias, 7iFilm.com, Canary Blu, Poema del Mar, Ejove Lab, Provital, Bazar Ani, Bahía Grill, Jaklar, WS, As Acción, Surf Magazine, Wind, Windsurf TV, and Daily Dose.