Boardmasters 2025 crowned four victors on a beautiful summer’s day with two-to-three foot surf at Fistral Beach. Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri and Lukas Skinner took out the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 2,000 Boardmasters Open 2025 titles respectively. In the Boardmasters Longboard Pro, Ginger Caimi and Martin Coret claimed the top spot in the first Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000 of the European 2025/2026 season.
Lukas Skinner, Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri Win Boardmasters Open QS 2,000
Cornwall local hero Lukas Skinner (GBR) etched his name into history and joined an elite club of two-time winners at Boardmasters, including World Champions Tom Carroll and Martin Potter. Going back-to-back to win the Boardmasters Open in front of his home crowd, it was an emotional moment for Skinner, who returned to competition after sustaining a serious injury earlier this year, exceeding his own expectations and successfully defending his title.
Skinner opened his campaign with an excellent 8.67 (out of a possible 10) for two massive tail wafting turns and a closeout air rotation, fired up by the local crowds lining the beach. He quickly backed it up with another great combination of strong turns and an aerial in the closeout section, putting the pressure on Francisco Ordonhas, Andy Criere and Sean Gunning. Gunning took to the air for a massive full rotation, earning an 8.53 to jump into second, but Skinner improved on his backup to shut the door and take the win with an excellent total of 16.44 (out of a possible 20).
“I can’t believe it,” said an emotional Skinner. “I don’t think I’ve ever been speechless in my life. I’ve also never seen such a big crowd on the beach, that really fired me up. I’m back, let’s go, let’s take it to the top. I’ll be back next year again!”
His dad, local board shaper Ben Skinner, said it was an unbelievable moment. “Three months ago he was on his back having surgery, so to come here and get the win, it’s just incredible.”
In the women’s Final, the Basque sisters of Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri (EUK) and Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri made it a one-two finish with Annette taking the win over Janire. After being defeated by Janire in the Lacanau Pro, Annette got one back and with this win in Newquay she moved into the No. 1 position on the WSL Europe QS rankings.
“I’m really happy to get the win,” said Annette. “My sister and I wanted to try and finish first and second, so we’re glad it worked out. I was needing an 8 when I saw that wave come through. It was a good wave and I did my best, but I didn’t know where the score would land, because I didn’t see Janire’s wave. I’m off to another competition tomorrow, and I’m super happy for all the opportunities to compete all around the world.”
Janire Gonzalez Etxabarri was leading the heat with a 15.17 total, but Annette Gonzalez Etxabarri played spoiler in the last 30 seconds of the heat, getting an 8.33 to take the win with a total of 15.26. Portugal’s Yolanda Hopkins finished in third, and Noah Klapp in fourth.
Martin Coret, Ginger Caimi Claim Boardmasters Longboard Pro Titles
The men’s Final was nerve-wracking, with buzzer-beater scores coming in at the end to add to the tension of an exhilarating matchup. The real battle was between last year’s runner-up António Dantas and Martin Coret, who both locked in excellent scores. Dantas, Coret, Ben Skinner and Edouard Delpero exchanged waves as the time ran out, but it was Coret who upset Dantas to take out his first-ever LQS win, and first Boardmasters title. Coret featured in the Boardmasters Finals in 2023 and 2024, and finally made it to the top step of the podium in 2025.
“I’m very happy to win,” said Coret. “It was so close, I’m so glad I got the score in the end. I thought I had the score with my previous wave, but then it wasn’t enough so I was just waiting out there for another wave. With one minute to go, I knew it was my last chance. I’m so happy, I’m dedicating this win to everyone on Reunion Island!”
Coret scored the best wave of the heat, an 8.47 for a committed hang ten nose ride in the most critical part of the wave, controlling it to the bottom before cranking out a big carve. The goofy-footer from Reunion Island required a near-excellent score to overtake António Dantas (POR), and in the final minute, found another incredible nose ride and strong turn to get the score, and win with a total of 16.64.
The women’s Longboard Pro Final was stacked, with defending event winner Alice Lemoigne, World Longboard Tour rookie Ginger Caimi, experienced competitor Justine Dupont and rising star Canelle Lebreton. It was an exciting heat, with plenty of waves on offer in the fun low-tide conditions that allowed for long rides. All four surfers went toe-to-toe with lengthy nose rides and powerful turns to complete their rides all the way to the shore.
The judges had their work cut out for them, scoring waves long after the final buzzer sounded while the finalists awaited the results. Eventually the scores trickled in, and it was Caimi who dethroned Lemoigne with her final wave, bumping her down to second, with Dupont in third and Capbreton in fourth. This is Caimi’s third LQS win this year and her first win in Newquay.
“I was so nervous waiting for the score,” said Caimi. “I’ve never had to wait that long for a score! When I heard that I won, I was so happy in that moment, I couldn’t believe it. I’m just really happy to win here. My next competition is at Bells for the World Longboard Tour and I can’t wait to go there and do what I do.”
The Boardmasters Open QS 2,000 is proudly supported by Rubicon RAW Energy, and media partners Carve and SurfGirl.
