Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) and Adur Amatriain (EUK) won the World Surf League (WSL) Pro Taghazout Bay Qualifying Series (QS) 4,000, after a long drawn-out week of competition and overcoming a deep competitive field. Finals Day saw a new swell fill into Anza, with three-to-four-foot surf and plenty of scoring opportunities on the left and right. Wave selection was crucial, and big, critical maneuvers were rewarded with the highest scores. The Pro Taghazout Bay was co-sanctioned by the Africa and Europe regions, and it was the final event for Europe’s 2025/2026 QS season, while it was the penultimate event for the Africa region.
Redemption for Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri, Wins European QS Title
There’s nothing quite like redemption, and Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) finally stood on top of the podium at the Pro Taghazout Bay after her runner-up performance in 2025. Etxabarri came into this event ranked third on the rankings, and she delivered some of her best results this season, with four finals appearances, a third at the Saquerema Pro Challenger Series and a gold medal at the World Surfing Games in El Salvador. However, it hasn’t been since Pantin in 2023 that Etxabarri hoisted a QS trophy. With this win, she earned the WSL Europe QS title for 2025/2026 and secured her ticket to the 2026 Challenger Series.
“I’m really happy to get this win,” said Etxabarri. “Coming from injury, I couldn’t compete on the last two Challenger Series events of the year. So coming here to win the event and win the title is amazing, and I’m ready to start the work for the new season. We’re a really good team of Basque surfers on the Challenger Series and I’m happy to be back full-time, I’m really enjoying the process.”
Coming up against an in form Alys Barton (GBR), Etxabarri built her score with big, one turn maneuvers into critical sections, but she turned up the intensity when she found a great right-hander and dropped an excellent 8.00 (out of a possible 10) for three strong backhand turns. Barton struggled to find her rhythm in the Final, and could never catch up to Etxabarri. In a defensive move with priority, Etxabarri kept Barton off a good left and improved her score with a 6.83 for a winning total of 14.83 (out of a possible 20).
Barton has been incredible this week, securing her first QS final since Caparica last year. Coming into Morocco ranked 12th, Barton made the biggest moves on the rankings to No. 5.
Adur Amatriain Earns Career-Best Result, Wins European QS Title
Adur Amatriain (EUK) has been on a tear this whole week with excellent scores and smart surfing. Coached on the Challenger Series by the legendary Basque surfer Aritz Aranburu, Amatriain showed his composure under pressure to defeat Justin Becret (FRA) in a nail-biting Semifinal. This gave Amatriain an incredible boost of confidence, and it showed with his performance in the Final against Conor Donegan Dos Santos (ESP). Coming into the event ranked 25th, Amatriain’s win also earned him the European QS title.
“I knew I had to get a good result to qualify for the Challenger Series,” said Amatriain. “I never knew the European title could be possible, so I never even thought about it. That’s amazing news, I’m so stoked. I’m very excited for the new season. Last year I learned a lot, so I want to use this experience now in the new season and I’m very excited for what’s to come.”
It was an electrifying matchup, with Amatriain and Dos Santos staying very busy and trading waves back-and-forth. The lead changed multiple times, but Amatriain started to create a gap when he scored a 6.80 on a great right-hander with lightning fast turns. Amatriain surfs with incredible speeds and intensity, and this was the point of difference between him and Dos Santos. After a superb wave from Dos Santos in the dying seconds, it was a few tense moments after the buzzer, waiting for the scores, but the win went to Amatriain.
Dos Santos earned a career-best result with his first QS final. The Lanzarote surfer enjoyed a great season in his final year as a junior in 2025, and with performances like today, he could be a real QS threat in the near future.
Europe Challenger Series Qualifiers Determined
As the Europe QS season comes to an end, the region’s Challenger Series qualifiers have been determined. The top seven men and top four women on the rankings automatically qualify, with one wildcard for men and women to be decided.
The 2026 Challenger Series qualifiers for Europe are Adur Amatriain (EUK), Guilherme Ribeiro (POR), Ido Hagag (WRL), Yago Dominguez (EUK), Sean Gunning (ESP), Conor Donegan Dos Santos (ESP), Tiago Carrique (FRA), Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK), Maria Salgado (POR), Alys Barton (GBR) and Ariane Ochoa (EUK).
While the European region enjoys a bit of a break, the Africa region’s next and final event will be the Royal St Andrews Rip Curl Cup QS 4,000 in Port Alfred, South Africa from April 3-6, 2026.
Relive The Pro Taghazout Bay
The Pro Taghazout Bay ran from March 22-29, 2026. Catch all the highlights and more on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app.
The 2026 Pro Taghazout Bay is supported by the Wilaya of the Souss Massa Region, Taghazout Municipality, the Souss Massa Region, the Souss Massa Regional Tourism Development Company, the Moroccan National Tourist Office, Taghazout Bay, Afriquia Gaz, Marsa Maroc, Seat Maroc, Radisson Blu Resort Taghazout Bay Surf Village, Aïn Atlas, Butec, 2M, 2M Radio, Hit Radio and Radio Mars.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
