Tristan Roberts has given the Overstrand another reason to celebrate after claiming the 2026 IBC Men’s World Title at the Gran Canaria Frontón King in Gáldar, Spain, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The Onrus bodyboarder secured the championship on Monday, 26 October, during Round 4. Roberts only needed to compete in his opening heat to mathematically clinch the title, but he also won the heat with 13.25 points, beating Peru’s Christopher Bayona, who scored 12.25, according to the IBC World Tour.
A familiar wave and a remarkable career
Gran Canaria has become closely tied to Roberts’ career. His senior world championships in 2019, 2022 and 2026 were all decided at El Frontón. He also won the Pro Junior world title in 2014, becoming the first bodyboarder to win both the Pro Junior and Men’s World Championship, according to Overstrand Municipality.
The win carried a personal moment, too: Roberts’ mother secretly travelled to Gran Canaria to watch him become world champion in person for the first time. After the heat, he credited her years of support, telling the IBC World Tour: ‘I approach this third title with deep gratitude toward my mom, who supported me endlessly since I was a kid.’
Roberts is now the fifth rider in bodyboarding history to win at least three men’s world titles, joining a select group that includes Jeff Hubbard, Ben Player, Guilherme Tamega and Mike Stewart, the IBC said.
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Picture: Gansbaai Tourism / Facebook
