Surfer Jorgan Couzinet. The Surf Tournaments in El Salvador continue to bring attention to the country’s excellent surf spots, including Punta Roca, El Sunzal, and La Bocana, thereby strengthening the nation’s growing global reputation as a surfing powerhouse.
The Surf City El Salvador tourist initiative, launched by the government, uses world-class surfing events to boost tourism and showcase the country’s exceptional waves, positioning El Salvador as a premier surf destination.
The first surf tournament in El Salvador for 2026 will be the WSL Surf City El Salvador Pro, taking place from June 5 to 15 at Punta Roca Beach.
| Org | Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| WSL | Surf City El Salvador Pro | Jun 5-15 | Punta Roca Beach |
| ISA | World Junior Surfing Championship | Sep 4-13 | Surf City |
| ALAS | Global Tour El Salvador | Nov 9-14 | Mizata Beach |
| ISA | World Longboard Championship | Nov 13-19 | Surf City |
WSL Surf City El Salvador Pro
From June 5 to 15, 2026, Punta Roca in La Libertad will once again host the WSL Surf City El Salvador Pro, drawing the world’s top surfers to one of the most consistent right-hand point breaks in the Americas.
The Championship Tour stop has cemented El Salvador’s position on the global surf calendar, with Punta Roca offering powerful, technical waves that reward precision and experience under pressure. Expectations are high for another fiercely competitive edition.
In last year’s men’s division, South African veteran Jordy Smith captured his first Championship Tour victory in eight years, delivering a composed and strategic performance.
On the women’s side, Hawaiian standout Gabriela Bryan earned her second career Championship Tour win, defeating Australia’s Isabella Nichols in a decisive final that underscored the intensity of women’s professional surfing.
ISA World Junior Championship
El Salvador will host the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship from September 4 to 13, 2026, marking another major international event for Surf City and reinforcing the country’s steady rise as a hub for elite competitive surfing.
The 2026 edition will be the third time the World Junior Surfing Championship is staged in Surf City, following successful tournaments in 2022 and 2024 that drew top youth talent and strengthened El Salvador’s global reputation.
We are very happy to bring the WJSC and the WLC back to Surf City El Salvador in 2026. This place has become very special for the ISA. Since 2019, we have continued to come back every year and every time the experience is incredible. ISA President Fernando Aguerre.
ALAS Global Tour El Salvador
Surf City, El Salvador, will host the ALAS Global Tour from November 9–14, bringing Latin America’s top professional surfers to compete along the country’s prominent Pacific coastline. The tournament will take place at Mizata Beach.
The event further strengthens El Salvador’s standing as a serious surf destination, expanding beyond elite world tour stops and reinforcing its role as a competitive platform for Latin American talent.
ISA World Longboard Championship
The ISA World Longboard Championship returns to Surf City, El Salvador, from November 13–19, 2026, marking the fourth consecutive year the country hosts the prestigious longboard competition on its Pacific coastline.
This year, we will continue positioning ourselves globally as a safe destination for surfing — one that also contributes to energizing the national and local economy. Salvadoran Minister of Tourism Morena Valdez.
Last year’s men’s final delivered a commanding performance from France’s Edouard Delpero, who secured victory with a total of 18.24, decisively ahead of Brazil’s Rodrigo Sphaier, who finished with 15.97 points.
In the women’s division, Rachael Tilly of the United States claimed the title with a 15.13 score, narrowly defeating France’s defending champion Alice Le Moigne, who posted a competitive 14.66 in the showdown.
Surf City El Salvador: World-Class Waves
El Salvador has quietly become a surfing paradise, drawing global attention for its world-class waves that fuel adrenaline, adventure, and international surf tournaments.
Punta Roca, often called the “jewel of El Salvador,” delivers long, powerful right-hand point breaks that consistently attract professional surfers seeking challenging yet rewarding rides.
Las Flores, located on the country’s eastern coast, is a tropical spot offering clean, consistent waves that appeal to both competitive surfers and enthusiastic beginners.
El Zonte, beloved for its laid-back surf culture, combines a vibrant local community with impressive breaks, making it a hotspot for tournaments and relaxed exploration.
These are some of the best surf spots in El Salvador. They elevate the country’s coastline into a global stage, providing waves that rival the world’s most iconic destinations in both power and beauty.
El Salvador continues to host major tournaments and build its reputation as a safe, must-visit surf spot.
2025 Completed Surf Tournaments in El Salvador
ALAS Surf City El Salvador Global Finals
Some competitions reveal a shift in momentum, and this year’s Surf City El Salvador ALAS Global Finals delivered that turning point, with emerging athletes stepping into the spotlight and redefining regional surfing strength.
Sixteen-year-old Thiago Passeri became the standout performer, finally stepping beyond his identity as Martín’s son. His sharp decisions in difficult Punta Mango conditions allowed him to claim another Shortboard Open title with confidence.
Passeri capitalized on scarce opportunities, overtaking José Joaquín López through risk and timing. His win followed a previous triumph in Guatemala, marking a significant rise in Argentina’s competitive surfing landscape.
Ecuadorian legend Dominic Barona added another milestone to her decorated career. Her controlled, powerful surfing on right-hand point breaks carried her past formidable opponents and secured her the women’s Shortboard championship.
Barona managed the final with discipline, outsmarting Lucía Indurain, Candelaria Resano, and rising talent Brianna Barthelmess. Her experience and composure again set the standard on one of Central America’s most demanding waves.
In Longboard, María Fernanda Reyes achieved a rare double by winning both the ALAS Global Tour circuit and her division at Punta Mango. Tony Silvagni dominated the men’s Longboard final with world-class accuracy.
SUP Surf mirrored recent international results, with Peruvian Vania Torres repeating her ISA World Championship victory against the same finalists. Brazilian Alex Salazar claimed the men’s title with two waves scoring a combined 16.13.
Brianna Barthelmess continued her exceptional season by winning both the Under 14 and the Under 18 events. Her 9.17 ride highlighted her rising potential within a competitive field of young talent across the region.
Ryan Coelho finally broke through in the boys’ Under 18 division with a decisive last wave, while Giacomo Mesinas captured the Under 14 trophy through precise surfing and consistent wave selection.
ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship
An intense afternoon of SUP Sprint racing closed the 2025 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship, crowning the final champions and settling a tight team race. Surf City, El Salvador, delivered ideal conditions for a dramatic finish.
Spain successfully defended its team gold medal, repeating its inaugural 2024 victory. Consistent performances across events kept them ahead of a competitive field. At the same time, France claimed silver, Japan secured bronze, and Brazil earned copper.
The sprint events produced standout individual wins, including a long-awaited gold for Puerto Rico’s Mariecarmen Rivera.
Denmark’s Christian Andersen also reached a milestone, capturing his first men’s world title. The former junior champion followed the path of his mentor, delivering a powerful sprint finish to secure his long-anticipated gold medal. Click here to view all the results.
WSL Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championship
The 2025 WSL Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championship concluded at El Sunzal Beach in La Libertad. Surfers from around the globe gathered to test their skills.
In the women’s division, American surfer Rachael Tilly took first place, defeating fellow U.S. competitor Avalon Gall in a showdown.
On the men’s side, Australian surfer Kai Ellice‑Flint claimed the top podium spot, out-surfing French talent Édouard Delpero in a dynamic and fierce final.
The championship spotlighted the vibrant surfing culture of El Salvador and the growing global appeal of longboard competition.
ISA World Surfing Games
The 2025 ISA World Surfing Games (WSG), held in Surf City, El Salvador, concluded with Australia securing the coveted title of Team World Champion.
Peru earned second place overall, while Spain clinched third, marking a highly competitive and historic event in the world of surfing.
Dane Henry Leads Australia to Victory
Australia’s triumph was anchored by Dane Henry’s remarkable first-place finish in the men’s division. His performance, combined with bronze medals from teammates Morgan Cibilic and Sally Fitzgibbons, gave the Australians the edge to claim the team crown.
Henry’s victory was especially significant. At just 19 years old, he became the first man in the modern era to win the WSG as the reigning ISA World Junior Champion.
This rare achievement mirrors that of surfing legend Tom Curren, who accomplished the same feat in 1982.
Henry now joins a select group of surfers—including Gabriel Medina of Brazil and Jordy Smith of South Africa—who have earned gold at both the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship and the World Surfing Games.
Men’s Division Podium
- Gold: Dane Henry (AUS)
- Silver: Kauli Vaast (FRA)
- Bronze: Morgan Cibilic (AUS)
Women’s Division Highlights
The women’s division was dominated by Janire Gonzalez-Etxabarri of Spain, who achieved the biggest victory of her young career.
At 20, she not only captured the gold medal but also delivered Spain’s most historic WSG result to date.
Gonzalez-Etxabarri’s path to glory follows her Olympic qualification for Paris 2024, where she placed 15th in her WSG debut.
Her victory in El Salvador surpasses the bronze medal won in 2024 by teammate and fellow Olympian Nadia Erostarbe, cementing Spain’s growing reputation on the global surfing stage.
Women’s Division Podium
- Gold: Janire Gonzalez-Etxabarri (ESP)
- Silver: Yolanda Sequeira (POR)
- Bronze: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
Surf City, El Salvador: A Global Stage
Hosting the WSG for another year, Surf City reinforced its reputation as a world-class surfing destination. The event not only highlighted the rising stars of international surfing but also showcased El Salvador’s expanding role in global sporting culture.
ISA World Longboard Championship
France and the United States dominated the 2025 ISA World Longboard Championship, held at El Sunzal Beach as part of the Surf City El Salvador ISA World Longboard Championship from April 25 to May 1.
Surfers from both nations secured top honors, confirming their continued excellence and progress in competitive longboarding.
In the men’s event, France’s Edouard Delpero clinched victory with a score of 18.24, outperforming Brazil’s Rodrigo Sphaier, who earned 15.97 points.
“I’m happy to have won here in El Sunzal. I managed to catch some good waves and take advantage of them very well. It’s been an incredible week,” Delpero said, celebrating alongside his French teammates and coaches.
Filipino surfer Rogelio Esquivel placed third, and Japan’s Tanaka Inoue finished fourth.
Rachael Tilly of the United States captured the women’s title, scoring 15.13 to surpass defending champion Alice Le Moigne of France, who posted 14.66 points.
Tilly, who had won the 2024 WSL finals at El Sunzal, continued her strong form with her first ISA world championship win. She now joins a select group of surfers who have claimed both WSL and ISA titles.
France topped the standings at the team level, with the United States finishing second.
The Philippines secured third place, followed by Brazil in fourth and Japan in fifth. Among Latin American teams, Peru placed seventh, Uruguay ninth, and host nation El Salvador finished 21st with 1,170 points.
WSL Surf City El Salvador Pro
The 2025 Surf City El Salvador Pro concluded with remarkable victories in both the men’s and women’s divisions, marking significant milestones for the champions.
In the men’s division, South African veteran Jordy Smith clinched his first World Championship Tour win in eight years.
The 37-year-old surfer delivered a commanding performance at Punta Roca, achieving a heat total of 14.26 out of 20, with impressive wave scores of 7.33 and 6.93.
Smith dedicated his victory to his father, who shapes his surfboards, and his wife, expressing heartfelt gratitude after being carried up the rocks by supporters.
On the women’s side, Hawaiian surfer Gabriela Bryan secured her second career Championship Tour win by defeating Australia’s Isabella Nichols.
Despite early setbacks, including a damaged board, Bryan rebounded with a powerful 7.83 ride after switching to her backup board.
This victory propelled her to second place in the world rankings, showcasing her resilience and determination.
With four events of the 11-stop tour now complete, the surfers head to Australia for three events before the number of competitors is cut by a third.
The season will culminate in a final showdown in Fiji, where the top five surfers will compete for the title.
