MEN’S PRIME SERIES KICKS OFF AT THE 2026 ANTOFAGASTA BODYBOARD FESTIVAL

Sunday, May 3 – Antofagasta, Chile

Day three of the Antofagasta Bodyboard Festival was an absolute heater. The Men’s Prime Series finally hit the water for their first appearance at this iconic spot, alongside the heavy hitters in Round 3 of the DropKnee division, where the race for the world title is officially heating up.

The waves at La Nilda showed up today. With glassy conditions and zero wind, the action got underway early at 7:15 AM local time. The world’s best athletes wasted no time, putting on a clinic and keeping the local crowd on their feet all morning.

Men’s Prime Series: Round 1

The opening round was a total dogfight, proving just how high the ceiling is at La Nilda this year. The top two riders from each heat punched their tickets to Round 2.

The man to beat today was Mexico’s Alfonso Aguilar. A long-time veteran of the elite circuit, Alfonso’s radical style was on full display. He posted the highest total of the day with a 15.25, anchored by a massive 8.5 backflip that stood as the single best wave of the round. In his post-heat interview, Alfonso was stoked on the result and hyped up the potential of the waves here ahead of the next tour stop in Pascuales.

Ecuador’s Jericco Rosero proved he’s a dual-threat, showing he’s just as dangerous in Prone as he is in DropKnee. He put on a show with a technical backflip on a left-hander, securing a 14.75—the second-highest total of the round.

Brazil’s Gabriel Castro also turned heads with one of the most technical moves of the day: a clinical invert air on a La Nilda left that earned him a solid 7.50.

The Mexican contingent continued to dominate as Bryan López and Kalani Favela both won their heats. Bryan’s perfectly timed backflip on a La Nilda right-hander was a major highlight. Other heat winners who looked sharp today included young Chilean gun Cristobal Tobar (making his pro debut), Reunion Island’s Fabien Thazar, and Easter Island’s Cristobal Paoa.

DropKnee Division: Round 3

The field has been narrowed down to the top 16, and the intensity has shifted into high gear as everyone fights for a spot in the elite Top 8.

Jericco Rosero was once again the standout, clinching the highest DK total of the day with a 14.35. Following closely behind in that same heat was Fabien Thazar; both riders are successfully pulling double duty across two divisions.

Spain’s Amaury Lavernhe looked like a man on a mission, taking first in his heat with a 14.00. He was pushed hard by David Valladares, the Spanish-Venezuelan rider who continues to look right at home at La Nilda, finishing just 0.25 points behind Amaury.

Reigning World Champ Sammy Morretino looked rock solid. The Hawaiian legend reminded everyone why he’s arguably the greatest DK rider of all time. Taking second in that heat was local hero Manuel Cepeda, who sent the crowd into a frenzy with an 8.0 point ride—navigating a heavy, technical tube and coming out clean for the best wave of the DK session.

Chileans Leonardo Alar and Gabriel Brantes also fought their way into the Quarterfinals after a nail-biting heat with constant lead changes. Unfortunately, the drama saw world-class rider Michel Copetta (Chile) eliminated in one of the day’s biggest upsets.