Windsurfing Articles
The announcement making Gran Canaria GLORIA Windsurf World Cup an adorned destination in the 2026 WWT 5-Star Major carousel of events is indeed a watershed moment in the world of windsurfing. Among the international windsurfing community, Gran Canaria is the undisputed leader in providing extreme big-air challenges, setting the benchmark high for performance wave and jumping competition. In 2026, this accolade lifts it to the zenith of the World Wave Tour 5-Star Pyramid.
The event hosted in Pozo Izquierdo, an area recognized universally for its formidable winds, and world-class waves, serves as the ultimate trial by fire for windsurfing professionals. Windsurfing legend and event organizer, Bjorn Dunkerbeck noted the importance of such strong partnerships in enhancing commercial opportunities for these iconic events, and in forging a path to drive the sport into the future.
The 2026 Chemical Riders event highlighted an exciting era for Eastern Mediterranean windsurfing, and is surfacing as a definitive turning point for the sport. Hosted in Haifa’s raw, industrialised ‘Tails’ beach, the event boasted what many describe as the best competition conditions ever recorded in the region. These included powerful 4-metre wave faces coupled with 30-knot winds that created a challenging yet highly entertaining showdown of skills.
The event was masterfully orchestrated by Moran Tapiro and Arnon Dagan. Their efforts showcased the rare power and consistency of Mediterranean conditions, further hinting that Haifa could potentially rise to a 4-Star Challenger World Cup status by 2027.