Friday, May 1st – Antofagasta, Chile
At 10:30 AM local time, the highly anticipated second stop of the IBC World Tour officially got underway. This year, the Antofagasta Bodyboard Festival 2026 has moved the action to the heavy breaks of La Nilda.
Day one delivered the goods with solid swell conditions, setting the stage for a massive Dropknee (DK) showcase. DK is widely stacked as one of the most technical and radical disciplines in the sport, and the riders didn’t disappoint.
The organizers made the call to open with the DropKnee Division Round 1. With the World Title officially on the line in this division, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
ROUND 1: DropKnee Division (Non-Elimination)
In this opening round, the top two riders from each heat punched their tickets straight to Round 3. Those finishing third and fourth aren’t out yet—they’ll head to the Round 2 “repechage” for a second shot at staying in the mix.
• Standout Performer: The young gun from the Galapagos Islands, Jericco Rosero, claimed the day’s top honors. Rosero dropped into a bomb, showing total control before unleashing a powerhouse turn that brought the crowd to their feet. The judges rewarded his near-perfection with a 9.25—the highest single wave of the day. He also secured the top heat total with a massive 15.50.
• The Champ: Defending World Champion Sammy Morretino looked sharp. The Hawaiian started strong, linking several solid waves, highlighted by a textbook snap that earned him an 8.00. He remains the man to beat here at La Nilda.
• The Contender: Amaury Lavernhe, competing under the Spanish flag for the first time this year, cruised through his heat with a clinical performance. Lavernhe is on a mission to become only the second athlete in history—after Aussie legend Damian King—to hold World Titles in both Prone and Dropknee.
• Honorable Mentions: Other heavy hitters making moves in Round 1 included Fabien Thazar (Reunion Island), Chile’s own Michel Copetta, and Peru’s Ricardo Sotelo.
WHAT’S NEXT?
With Round 1 in the books, the official call for tomorrow is 6:45 AM local time. Stay tuned—if the conditions hold up, we’re heading straight into Day 2.
Watch the action LIVE at www.ibcworldtour.com
Sponsors & Partners
Hosted by: Minera Escondida BHP, Municipality of Antofagasta, Club Budeo. Collaborators: @antofagasta_minerals, @energiacolbun, @abastible, @carniceriasarauco
Sponsors and Organizers:
• Mayor of Antofagasta
• @antofagastamuni
• @budeo.oficial
• @abfchile
• @circuitochilenodebodyboard
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