Glasson: Fiji Surf Pro sets a new bench mark

Fiji has been praised for hosting and delivering the 2026 World Windsurf Tour (WWT) Fiji Surf Pro at Cloudbreak.

World Tour Commissioner Simeon Glasson said the event set a new benchmark for the sport, citing its operations, safety standards, and broadcast quality.

“Fiji just ran the best windsurfing event in history, with the best broadcast, the best operations, and the best event organiser team,”Glasson said.

“Every layer of this event belonged to Fiji, and the world knows it.”

The event was organised by Fiji Surf Co, founder and event director Ian Muller.

Muller said local expertise played a central role in the success of the competition.

He said Fijians led water safety operations, reef access management, logistics and conservation efforts throughout the event.

“Every safety operator on the water was Fijian. Every reef boat captain was Fijian. Every conservation and custodianship decision was Fijian,” Muller said.

“The management was Fijian. The logistics were Fijian. The expertise was Fijian.”

Muller also highlighted the economic benefits generated by the event.

He said villages in Momi and Nabilla received direct investment and partnership revenue, while local businesses supplied goods and services, accommodation providers hosted athletes and officials, and Fiji Airways transported competitors and event personnel.

On the water, Hawaii’s Bernd Roediger won the men’s title after an impressive performance in challenging conditions at Cloudbreak.

Australia’s Jane Seman secured the women’s title, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the best-of-three final before sealing the championship.

Competitors from France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia took part in the event.

The competition was staged in demanding surf conditions and attracted some of the sport’s leading athletes.