A historic world final, two French world champions, and an extraordinary team effort behind the scenes. Duke Swimfins looks back on an unforgettable week of bodysurfing in Anglet, France.
From September 26 to October 5, 2026, Anglet became the centre of the international bodysurfing scene as the Plage du Club hosted the IBSA World Tour Finals 2026. For the first time, France welcomed the final event of the world qualifying circuit, bringing together 120 of the world's best bodysurfers from 17 countries.
The result was a spectacular celebration of the sport, combining world-class performances, international friendship and a shared passion for the ocean.
But behind every great sporting event lies a tremendous amount of work, dedication and commitment. In Anglet, the success of the World Finals was not only about the athletes in the water. It was also about the people who worked tirelessly to bring the event to life — and particularly Patrice Grieumard, whose energy and determination played a major role in making this competition happen.
A Historic World Final on French Soil
The 2026 World Finals brought the international bodysurfing community together on the Atlantic coast for ten days of competition, cultural exchange and unforgettable moments.
Organised by the Ligue de Surf Nouvelle-Aquitaine (LSNA), in collaboration with the Guides de Bains Angloys, the French Surf Federation and the International BodySurfing Association (IBSA), the event required coordination, flexibility and a huge collective effort.
The competition unfolded in changing ocean and weather conditions. Tides, swell variations, wind and periods of unfavourable weather repeatedly challenged the schedule. Organisers had to make careful decisions to protect the athletes while maintaining the highest possible sporting standards.
From the opening Trials to the final heats, the ability to adapt was essential — both in the water and on the beach.
The opening ceremony set the tone for the week, bringing together representatives from 17 nations. Basque traditions, including the aurresku honour dance and the symbolic mixing of sand and salt, celebrated the cultural identity of the region and the international spirit of bodysurfing.
Patrice Grieumard: An Extraordinary Commitment Behind the Scenes
A competition of this scale does not happen by itself. It takes vision, perseverance, countless hours of preparation and the ability to keep moving forward when challenges arise.
Patrice Grieumard deserves special recognition for the tremendous energy he invested in organising this competition. His commitment was a powerful part of the effort required to bring the international bodysurfing community together in Anglet.
Behind the action, organising a world final means managing logistics, coordinating people, anticipating changing conditions and finding solutions when the ocean or weather forces plans to change. It means paying attention to countless details that spectators may never see, but without which the event could not run successfully.
This is the less visible side of sport: the determination to make things happen, the hours of work behind the scenes and the willingness to give everything to a project that matters.
At Duke Swimfins, we believe this commitment deserves to be celebrated just as much as the performances in the water. Events like these are built by passionate people who give their time and energy to help bodysurfing grow and reach new audiences.
A huge thank you to Patrice Grieumard and everyone involved in making the 2026 World Finals a reality.
World-Class Performances and Two French World Champions
The final day delivered an outstanding sporting spectacle. With powerful, well-shaped waves and a high level of competition, the best athletes fought for every point in the closing heats.
In the women's final, Uhaina Kailani Hegoas produced a decisive late performance to secure the world title with 8.66 points, ahead of American competitors Coral McIntyre, Michelle Urkov and Meredith Rose. The victory saw her reclaim the world crown she had won in Hawaii in 2024.
The men's final was equally exciting. Niels Schorsch secured the world title with 16.16 points, thanks to an excellent left-hand wave in the closing minutes. He finished ahead of fellow Frenchman Ruben Cambas, Australia's defending champion Chris Anderson and Brazil's Mauricio Afonso.
With these two victories, France achieved a remarkable double world-title win on home soil.
Ruben Cambas, an Anglet local, finished as men's vice-world champion after an impressive run through the competition. Niels also joined his brother Alix Schorsch, the 2024 world champion, on the winners' list — another memorable milestone for French bodysurfing.
The results reflected the exceptional standard of the field and the dedication of athletes who travelled from around the world to compete at the highest level.
More Than a Competition: A Gathering of the Global Bodysurfing Community
The World Finals were about more than trophies and rankings. They brought together different cultures, generations and approaches to bodysurfing, united by the same love of waves.
The programme also created opportunities for participants to connect beyond competition. When adverse weather forced a break in the sporting schedule, the Guides de Bains Angloys organised an opportunity for competitors to exchange ideas about coastal lifesaving practices around the world, as well as a yoga session at Espace Océan.
A sunset gathering overlooking the competition beach provided another chance for athletes, organisers, partners and guests to share experiences and strengthen the bonds within the community.
These moments are an essential part of what makes international bodysurfing events special. They build friendships, encourage the exchange of knowledge and help create a stronger future for the sport.
Duke Swimfins: Proud to Support Bodysurfing
At Duke Swimfins, we are proud to have supported the IBSA World Tour Finals 2026 alongside the event's institutional, sporting and private partners.
Supporting bodysurfing means supporting the athletes who push the limits of the sport, but it also means supporting the organisers, volunteers, clubs and associations who make these competitions possible.
The success of Anglet 2026 demonstrated what can be achieved when a passionate community works together towards a common goal. The commitment of the Ligue de Surf Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the Guides de Bains Angloys and their volunteers, the French Surf Federation, the IBSA, and all the partners was fundamental to welcoming competitors from 17 countries.
We would also like to thank the City of Anglet, the Pyrénées-Atlantiques Department, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region and the National Sports Agency for their support.
A special thank you goes to every volunteer and member of the organising team whose work helped the event run throughout a demanding week of changing conditions.
Looking Ahead: A Stronger Future for Bodysurfing
The 2026 IBSA World Tour Finals will be remembered for its outstanding surfing, its two French world champions and the incredible international atmosphere on the beach in Anglet.
But it should also be remembered for the people behind the scenes — those who put in the work, overcome the challenges and make it possible for athletes to compete on the world stage.
The energy invested by Patrice Grieumard and the wider organising team is a reminder that the future of bodysurfing depends not only on talented athletes, but also on dedicated people willing to invest their time, passion and expertise in the sport.
From everyone at Duke Swimfins, congratulations to Uhaina Kailani Hegoas and Niels Schorsch on their world titles, and to all the competitors who made this event so special.
And above all, thank you to everyone who helped bring the world to Anglet.
Great waves. Great people. One global bodysurfing community.
Duke Swimfins — Made for the ocean. Driven by the ride.