EuroSUP 2026: Spain Dominates in Salinas as De Los Reyes and Aurrecoechea Take the SUP Surf Titles

Spain came out on top at Stage 1 of EuroSUP 2026 in Salinas, Asturias, taking the key Open and Women’s titles as the European SUP surfing championships wrapped up on Spain’s northern coast.

EuroSUP 2026 is split across two disciplines and two stages. Stage 1, held in Salinas, was dedicated to SUP Surfing, bringing Europe’s best surfers together for a battle in the waves. The championship will continue with Stage 2 in Melilla from October 2–6, where athletes will compete in SUP Racing.

The final day of the SUP Surfing stage delivered a fitting conclusion to the competition in Salinas. Despite challenging and inconsistent conditions, the best riders found ways to make the most of the waves, with Spain ultimately emerging as the dominant nation of Stage 1.

Salinas offered around 80cm waves in the morning, with a rising tide splitting the lineup into inside and outside sections. The final heats benefited from improving conditions as the tide moved in, setting the stage for decisive performances in both the Women’s and Open divisions.

Spain’s Alazne Aurrecoechea takes the Women’s title

The Women’s final produced one of the day’s biggest battles.

France’s Camille Dubrana controlled the opening 25 minutes of the heat, but Spain’s surfers gradually turned the momentum around. Alazne Aurrecoechea eventually took control with a crucial right-hander that scored more than 9 points — the wave that ultimately separated her from the field.

Aurrecoechea claimed the EuroSUP 2026 Women’s title, with fellow Spaniard Julietta Rodriguez-Villamil finishing second. Dubrana held on for third, while France’s Elise Thiolent finished fourth.

Women’s final

1. Alazne Aurrecoechea (ESP)
2. Julietta Rodriguez-Villamil (ESP)
3. Camille Dubrana (FRA)
4. Elise Thiolent (FRA)

Juan De Los Reyes delivers a standout Open final

In the Open division, Juan De Los Reyes produced perhaps the most emphatic performance of the day.

With the waves offering limited potential, the Spanish rider stood out with a powerful and highly radical approach, finding opportunities where others struggled. His two best waves — 7.40 and 7.17 — gave him a winning total of 14.57 points.

Italy’s Leonard Nika put together a consistent final, scoring 6.53 and 6.17 for 12.70 points and taking the silver medal. France’s Pierre Girardeau finished third, while Portugal’s Tomás Lacerda placed fourth.

The final also highlighted the importance of wave selection. With the lineup changing constantly, reading the rhythm of the sets and choosing the right waves proved critical.

Open final

1. Juan De Los Reyes (ESP)
2. Leonard Nika (ITA)
3. Pierre Girardeau (FRA)
4. Tomás Lacerda (POR)

A new generation makes its mark

Spain’s dominance extended into the junior divisions.

In the Junior Girls, 16-year-old Julietta Rodriguez-Villamil added another European title to her growing résumé. Already competing across surfing, SUP, bodyboarding and longboarding, the young Spaniard demonstrated the versatility that has earned her a reputation as a true “water woman.”

Junior Girls

1. Julietta Rodriguez Villamil (ESP)
2. Elise Thiolent (FRA)
3. Margarida Faria (POR)

The Junior Boys title went to France’s Léo Le Tohic Casareggio, who raised his level at the crucial moment to win a competitive final.

Germany’s Meier Antonin finished second, Italy’s Luca Cretto took third and Spain’s Rodrigo Basilio placed fourth.

Junior Boys

1. Léo Le Tohic Casareggio (FRA)
2. Meier Antonin (GER)
3. Luca Cretto (ITA)
4. Rodrigo Basilio (ESP)

Spain tops the Stage 1 nations ranking

With three major wins and a strong collection of podium finishes, Spain finished the SUP Surfing stage well clear at the top of the nations ranking.

Spain accumulated 5,140 points, ahead of France on 4,573 and Portugal on 3,648. Italy finished fourth with 2,700 points, followed by Poland with 2,020 and Germany with 1,915.

EuroSUP 2026 Stage 1 — Nations Ranking

1. 🇪🇸 Spain — 5,140 pts
2. 🇫🇷 France — 4,573 pts
3. 🇵🇹 Portugal — 3,648 pts
4. 🇮🇹 Italy — 2,700 pts
5. 🇵🇱 Poland — 2,020 pts
6. 🇩🇪 Germany — 1,915 pts

Next stop: Melilla for SUP Racing

With the SUP Surfing titles decided in Salinas, attention now turns to the second stage of EuroSUP 2026.

Melilla will host Stage 2 from October 2–6, shifting the focus from waves to speed, endurance and tactics as Europe’s top paddlers line up for the SUP Racing competition.

If Stage 1 in Salinas was about finding the perfect wave, Stage 2 will be about finding the fastest line — setting up a different kind of battle as EuroSUP 2026 continues in October.