2026 Gran Canaria GLORIA World Cup - Day 1
by International Windsurfing Tour 5 Jul 15:57 PDT
4-12 July 2026
The Gran Canaria GLORIA Windsurf World Cup 2026 opened in true Canarian style, with a family day at Pozo Izquierdo - the "Home of the Wind" - that put the future of the sport front and centre.
With light wind and small waves, the head judge handed the opening heats to the youngest (and lightest) talents on the beach: the U13 boys and the U15 boys and girls. It was basic conditions and big attitude, and the juniors rose to the occasion with two jumps and one wave counting toward the score. No easy points, and plenty of heart.
Elías Antolín was the standout of the day, posting the highest score of 13.90 points, while Dennis Kolb also advanced on 8.73. But the real winner was the next generation, showing exactly why Pozo makes champions.
On land, the celebration continued with family activities, children's workshops, traditional Canarian music and local gastronomy - a reminder that this event belongs to the whole Pozo community.
The World Windsurf Tour extends its warmest thanks to Björn Dunkerbeck and his family for putting on a wonderful show and for their tireless support of grassroots windsurfing. Their commitment to nurturing young riders is building the foundation for the sport's future, right here on their home waters.
The best is still to come. The forecast is filling in fast, with competition all week but Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday shaping up as the big pro days with the big potential - strong wind, bigger waves, and the world's elite wave sailors ready to light up Pozo. Fans on the island are invited down to the beach, and audiences worldwide can follow the action live.