• Stop #3 of the IBC Men’s World Tour (Prime Series) got underway with huge waves and heavy action in Niterói.
• Local heavy hitters and international young guns dominated Rounds 1 and 2 in a super challenging lineup.
NITERÓI, RIO DE JANEIRO (May 23, 2026) – The Itacoatiara Pro 2026 has officially opened its 14th edition with a bang. Solidified as Brazil’s biggest outdoor sports festival, the event—which started back in 2012 purely for world tour bodyboarding—has evolved into a massive sports and cultural festival that now features surfing, bodysurfing, street skate, cycling, art, and live music.
Today, the green light went on for the third stop of the IBC World Tour Men’s Division, a designated Prime Seriesevent. After successful stops in Morocco and Chile, the best bodyboarders on the planet met up at 7:30 AM local time at one of the heaviest and most demanding beach breaks in the world. Opening day conditions were gnarly: giant waves, strong currents, and a “mutant” lineup packed with massive barrels and perfect ramps that had the crowd on the sand going wild.
Round 1: Local Veterans and Young Guns Put on a Show
The opening round pitted the lower-ranked athletes on the IBC leaderboard against each other, with only the top two from each 30-minute heat moving on.
The standout performer of the round was Chile’s very own teenage sensation, Mikelle Arriagada, who tamed one of the biggest bombs of the day, locking in a huge air roll that the judges rewarded with an 8-point ride. Meanwhile, the Brazilian storm used their local knowledge to perfection, with legendary local Dudu Pedrá leading the charge alongside compatriots Gabriel Castro, Thiago Jatobá, Joao Victor, and Isaac Maraga to lock in their spots. On the international side, Chilean rider Rodrigo Silva and veteran Argentinian Emiliano Tabaré put together solid performances to keep their event alive.
Round 2: Juniors Take Over and International Riders Stay Dialed In
With the ocean still throwing heavy hammers at the beautiful Itacoatiara beach, the level went up a notch for Round 2—the final hurdle to make the main event.
The young guns currently transition-stamping the pro division put on an absolute clinic. Defending Junior World Champion Louka Zaninotto from France scored a textbook left-hand barrel for an 8.00, tying Chilean rider Moisés Silvafor the highest heat total of the day. Peruvian rider Lucciano Campos, the current Junior rankings leader, also took care of business to punch his ticket to the main draw.
Dudu Pedrá’s love affair with his hometown crowd continued as he locked in his spot in the Main Event to huge cheers from the beach. Other riders advancing in first place included Argentina’s Emiliano Tabaré, Tahitian powerhouse Tahiri Tehei, South Africa’s Hugo Naude, and local standout Gabriel Castro.
Next Call
The event crew has locked in the next call for tomorrow, Sunday, May 24, at 6:30 AM local time. Conditions are expected to stay epic just in time for the World Top 16 to hit the water.
You can catch all the action live via the official live stream at www.ibcworldtour.com
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