El Frontón, in Gran Canaria, crowns Frenchman Pierre-Louis Costes as IBA world champion

In the image, the new world champion.

The bodyboarder beat South African Jared Houston, from Cape Town, in quarterfinals, with an extremely long barrel.

Young 21-year-old Pierre-Louis Costes, from France, won the IBA GSS world championship title after beating South African Jared Houston, from Cape Town, in quarterfinals. Houston lied ahead of him after getting two minor scores when Costes managed to get out of the day’s longest and toughest barrel and scored a nine, getting ahead in the scoreboard and winning the heat.

“That was the wave of my life, the one that has won me the title and made my dreams come true,” Costes explained, excited. The new world champion dedicates his victory to his sister and parents for their support in making his dream come true, to become the world champion. Costes wiped the tears from his face, held up his well-deserved trophy and enjoyed the applause of the fans. “Right now I’m really happy and I’ve realised that dreams can come true. I think that it will take me some time to realise what has happened. I only want to thank El Frontón,” Costes concluded.

Some time after Costes claimed the world title, Australian Jason Finlay won the NMD-Stealth Fronton Pro championship after beating his fellow countryman Mitch Rawlins (Gold Coast) in the final, with long barrel, 8 to 13 feet waves.

Finlay, who began his competition year thanks to a wildcard, finished twelfth in the ranking. His most exciting moment of the competition came in the fourth round, when he eliminated one of the clearest contenders for the title, Jeff Hubbard (HAW). In quarterfinals he eliminated Dallas Singer (Box Beach/AUS) and Andrew Lester (Cronulla/AUS) in semifinals. After the final, where he beat Mitch Rawlins, Finlay went to the podium to receive the trophy awarded by the Mayor of Gáldar, Teodoro Sosa. Once there, Rawlins and Costes did not fail to shower him with cava. “I’m the happiest man in the world”, Finlay commented, “I didn’t think I could win the competition. I only wanted to come, perform some great aerials and meet contestants and locals who control this peak. The final did not have the best waves but I did my best and I got my reward, I’m really excited.”

New top 24 GSS ranking

1) Pierre Louis Costes-France
2) Jeff Hubbard-Hawaii
3) Ryan Hardy-Australia
4) Amaury Lavernhe-Reunion
5) Uri Valadao-Brazil
6) Guilherme Tamega-Brazil
7) Dave Winchester-Australia
Magno Oliveira-Brazil
9) Mark McCarthy-Sth Africa
10) Jared Houston-Sth Africa
11) Dallas Singer-Australia
12) Jake Stone-Australia
13) Ben Player-Australia
14) Dave Hubbard-Hawaii
15) Eder Luciano-Brazil
16) Michael Novy-Australia
17) Alex Uranga-Spain
18) Andrew Lester-Australia
19) Chase O´Leary-Australia
20) Sam Bennett-Australia
21) Mitch Rawlins-Australia
22) Yeray Martinez-Canary Is
23) Roberto Bruno-Brazil
24) Thomas Rigby-Australia