Kalani Favela and Ilan Chouard Claim the 2026 Pascuales Bodyboard Pro Titles

Awards ceremony for the Open Men’s category at the Pascuales Bodyboard Pro - Via IBC live broadcast

Favela defeated two-time world champion Amaury Lavernhe in the final, while Ilan Chouard secured the Junior title with a backflip in the final ten seconds of competition.

Competing in front of their home crowd at one of the world's most powerful waves, the Mexican riders claimed the Open and Junior titles, respectively, delivering a historic performance for Mexican bodyboarding at the inaugural IBC World Tour Rising Series event held at Boca de Pascuales.

After 14 years without hosting a World Tour event, Mexico returned to the international bodyboarding spotlight. Mother Nature delivered exceptional conditions, with waves easily exceeding three meters, creating memorable performances as competitors showcased deep barrels, aerial maneuvers, and aggressive riding throughout the event.

Ilan Chouard wins with a backflip in the final 10 seconds

The Mexican rider starred in one of the most dramatic finishes of the championship after battling Italy's Damiano Bonazzi, who appeared destined for victory after scoring a 7.75 with less than one minute remaining.

Ilan Chouard holding a Mexican flag after being crowned Junior champion at the Pascuales Bodyboard Pro - Via IBC

However, with just ten seconds left on the clock, Chouard found one final opportunity. He paddled into the last wave, landed a spectacular backflip, and earned an 8.75, bringing his total to 15.25 (8.75 + 6.50) to snatch the title from the Italian and spark celebrations among the home crowd.

The Junior division also delivered outstanding performances throughout the day. Bonazzi dominated the quarterfinals with a combined score of 15.00, while France's Athanaé Blanchard earned the highest single-wave score of the event, a 9.50, after riding a deep right-hand barrel in the semifinals. However, the lack of a second scoring wave prevented him from reaching the final.

With these results, Ilan Chouard, Damiano Bonazzi, Athanaé Blanchard, and Andy Medina secured their places in the Junior Grand Final at El Frontón, Canary Islands.

Kalani Favela defeats the world No. 2

Favela reached the final after an outstanding week in which he had already established himself as one of the favorites. In the semifinals against France's Pierre-Louis Costes, he posted the event's highest-scoring wave with a perfect 10, astonishing both the judges and the spectators.

Kalani Favela, Open Men’s champion, surfing at the Pascuales Bodyboard Pro - Via Pascuales Bodyboard Pro

In the final, Kalani claimed one of the biggest victories of his career by defeating two-time world champion and current world No. 2 Amaury Lavernhe. With a composed and consistent performance, the Mexican totaled 13.75 points to overcome Lavernhe's 11.85, keeping the title on home soil and sending the local fans into celebration.

The inaugural Pascuales Bodyboard Pro ended with both titles remaining in Mexican hands, establishing this wave as one of the most promising venues on the IBC World Tour. The event not only highlighted the incredible potential of this powerful break but also showcased the growth of Mexican bodyboarding, proving it can compete with—and defeat—some of the world's best riders.