The Chilean rider claims international glory after an epic final day stacked with heavy, high level moves in Brazil.
NITERÓI, RIO DE JANEIRO (May 31, 2026)
After laying low for a few days waiting for the perfect conditions, Itacoatiara Beach absolutely came alive today for the high stakes final day of the Itacoatiara Pro 2026. Known for having one of the best beachbreaks on the planet, the Brazilian spot didn’t disappoint. It served up heavy ramps and deep barrels, letting the world’s bodyboarding elite put on an unforgettable show. The final showdown came down to 7 wild, man on man heats starting straight from the Quarterfinals.
QUARTERFINALS
The top eight riders of the event went head-to-head in single elimination heats where there was zero room for error:
• Pierre-Louis Costes (FRA) vs. Gabriel Braga (BRA): In a super tight battle decided by a razor thin 0.30 points, the two time French world champ (PLC) used his master class technique to lock in a podium spot, sending local favorite Gabriel Braga home to a cheering crowd.
• Dudu Pedrá (BRA) vs. Tristan Roberts (RSA): Heavy wave specialist and local vet Dudu Pedrá went down against the current IBC world number 1. Roberts locked up the heat in the final minutes with a massive air reverse that scored a 7.10.
• Amaury Lavernhe (ESP) vs. Armide Soliveres (ESP): A clash between good friends and world champs both repping Spain. The French-Spanish vet Lavernhe flexed his experience, putting together a solid 14.25 total score thanks to a crazy 7.75 invert that left Canarian rider Soliveres with no answer.
• Matías Díaz (CHI) vs. Ethan Capdeville (FRA): Chile’s Matías Díaz set up his win with a rock solid strategy he used all day: go big on the very first wave. He kicked off the heat with a super clean 7.75 backflip, dominating from start to finish and locking in the first world tour podium of his career.
SEMIFINALS
• Tristan Roberts (RSA) vs. Pierre-Louis Costes (FRA): A clash of titans that Roberts owned from the get go. He stomped a clean air reverse going right for an 8.50, backed it up with a solid backflip, and walked away with a 14.75 total. PLC just couldn’t get into a rhythm with Itacoatiara’s waves in a weirdly quiet heat for the Frenchman.
• Matías Díaz (CHI) vs. Amaury Lavernhe (ESP): An epic, above the lip air battle. Díaz opened up with a 7.75 backflip, and Lavernhe fired right back with a 7.00 backflip of his own, keeping things tense until the final buzzer. In the last minute, the two time Spanish world champ launched into a massive backflip that probably would’ve given him the win, but he couldn’t stick the landing. Showing pure sportsmanship and what the bodyboard community is all about, Amaury cheered right there in the water as the Chilean advanced to the final.
THE BIG FINAL
Matías Díaz touches the sky in Brazil after an insane aerial showcase.
The final saw two heavy hitting styles face off: Tristan Roberts, who was hunting for his third straight tour win and hyper focused on the 2026 world title, and Matías Díaz, riding a massive wave of motivation after fulfilling his dream of making his first ever IBC World Tour final.
Díaz executed his game plan perfectly, cherry picking only the heaviest waves and holding onto priority. He opened up with a technical, stylish air reverse for a 7.75, which Roberts answered a couple of minutes later with a similar 7.00 move. But the Chilean shut the door on the contest by sticking a second air reverse that was even more mental, earning an 8.50 from the judges (one of the highest scores of the day).
Dropping a 16.25 total, the highest combined score of the entire day, Matías Díaz officially became the new Itacoatiara Pro 2026 Champion, banking a historic win for South American bodyboarding.
From the Champion, Matías Díaz:
“I’m so stoked to be the third Chilean to win in Brazil. Everything just lined up perfectly here in Itacoatiara to make my dream come true. Going up against Tristan and Amaury, who are both two time world champs in the final, my whole focus was just to surf the heavy waves and keep priority. My goal was just to make my first world podium, so actually winning the whole event is completely unreal. I’m dedicating this title to my country, Chile, and to everyone who has my back. Huge thanks to the Itacoatiara crew and everyone who makes this happen.”
OFFICIAL RESULTS
• 1st Place (Champion): Matías Díaz (Chile)
• 2nd Place: Tristan Roberts (South Africa)
• 3rd Place : Amaury Lavernhe (Spain)
• 3rd Place: Pierre-Louis Costes (France)
NEXT STOP: PASCUALES BODYBOARD PRO (MEXICO)
That’s a wrap for the third stop of the Men Prime Series on the IBC World Tour! The organization wants to give a massive shoutout to the international community, the riders, and the fans for their unconditional support.
The tour is heading to Mexico next for the Pascuales Bodyboard Pro, a Rising Series event for both the Men and Junior Men divisions. For the first time ever, the tour will test itself at one of the heaviest beach breaks in the world: Boca de Pascuales, in the state of Colima. The official waiting period runs from July 3rd to July 9th.
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