PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 16, 2026
Fiji Surf Pro Upgraded to 4-Star Challenger World Cup on the World Wave Tour
Iconic Cloudbreak event moves to May 16-24 window with expanded ranking points, athlete revenue pool, and global broadcast
The World Wave Tour (WWT) today officially announced that the Fiji Surf Pro has been upgraded from a 3-Star event to a 4-Star Challenger World Cup, confirming Fiji’s return to the upper tier of global professional wave riding competition.
The upgraded event will run May 16-24, 2026, with competition staged at the legendary Cloudbreak reef off Fiji’s stunning coast.
This announcement meets the WWT requirement of two months’ notice prior to the event window, allowing the world’s best riders time to plan their travel to one of the sport’s most iconic wave locations.
Cloudbreak is widely regarded as one of the planet’s premier reef breaks, producing powerful, long period Pacific swell that offers spectacular conditions for high performance wave sailing.
Event Overview
Event: Fiji Surf Pro
Tour: World Wave Tour – Challenger World Cup
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4-Star
Event Window: May 16–24, 2026
Competition Site: Cloudbreak, Fiji
Operations Base: Bayview Cove Resort
The event will operate under a minimum three day exclusive permit window at Cloudbreak, with competition scheduled daily from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM when the trade winds typically peak.
Official Event Partners
The WWT confirmed several key partnerships supporting the upgraded event:
Fiji Surf Co returns as Major Event Partner
Ian Muller appointed WWT Fiji Event Director
Bayview Cove Resort confirmed as the event operations base
Fiji Airways supporting as an official event partner
The event will also be hosted in partnership with the local communities.
Bula Vinaka to the villages of Tabanivono, Momi, and Nabila, who are supporting the event through:
tower access
reef access logistics
boat operations
Their partnership ensures the event operates respectfully within the local community and environment.
4-Star Challenger World Cup Status
With its upgrade to 4-Star Challenger World Cup status, the Fiji Surf Pro will deliver increased sporting and commercial impact for athletes and fans.
Key features include:
50-60% World Ranking Points toward the WWT world title race
USD $10,000 Athlete Revenue Pool
WWT Global Broadcast Production
Broadcast advertising integrated into the live show
Under the WWT’s new athlete first broadcast model:
60% of broadcast advertising revenue is distributed to riders
40% is reinvested into media production and tour growth
The event will feature a world class judging panel and international media team, delivering global coverage through the World Wave Tour broadcast platform.
Building Momentum Toward the World Title Race
The Fiji Surf Pro now becomes a crucial mid season Challenger World Cup within the WWT calendar.
Its strategic May timing places it early in the global ranking race and gives riders an opportunity to secure significant points before the major European events later in the season.
With Cloudbreak’s reputation for world class waves and dramatic competition, the event is expected to attract a strong international field.
Media Production
WWT is working with a leading media crew to deliver full global coverage, including:
Live broadcast production
Drone cinematography
Event storytelling and athlete features
Further media collaborations are currently being finalized with regional broadcast partners and international surf media platforms.
Entries Opening Soon
Athlete entries will open in the coming days, with invitations being sent to professional riders worldwide.
Further details regarding entry deadlines, confirmed riders, and broadcast schedules will be announced shortly.
Quote
Simeon Glasson, WWT Commissioner
“Cloudbreak is one of the most iconic waves in the world, and Fiji has always held a special place in the history of professional wave sailing.
Upgrading the Fiji Surf Pro to a 4-Star Challenger World Cup is an important step in building the global tour and giving athletes another world-class event where they can earn major ranking points.
With the support of Fiji Surf Co, our village partners, and the incredible local community, we’re excited to bring the World Wave Tour back to Cloudbreak.”
About the World Wave Tour (WWT)
The World Wave Tour (WWT) is the biggest tour in the history of the windsurfing and the crown jewel of the sport - the unified PWA WWT global competition structure for professional windsurfing, bringing together events, athletes, and disciplines under a single world ranking and digital platform. Through the WWT HUB, the tour delivers global broadcast coverage, athlete visibility, and modern commercial infrastructure designed to support long term growth of the sport.
About the Professional Windsurfing Association (PWA)
The PWA is the athlete led rules and governance body of the windsurfing world. Elected athlete representatives and brand leaders volunteer their time to set the rules and regulations for world class competition and event criteria in the 5 Star event rating system. Established in 1995 the PWA is the body that protects and enshrines the competitive and commercial interests of the world’s best windsurf athletes.
Photo Gallery - photo credit Fish Bowl Diaries
Above: Antoine Martin in the 2022 Fiji Surf Pro Invitational - photo by Fish Bowl Diaries
Above: Sarah-Quita Offringa heading to women's victory in the 2023 Fiji Surf Pro World Cup - photo by Fish Bowl Diaries
Above: Baptiste Cloarec heading to men's victory in the 2023 Fiji Surf Pro World Cup - photo by Fish Bowl Diaries
Above: Jane Seman heading to women's victory in the 2022 Fiji Surf Pro Invitational - photo by Fish Bowl Diaries
Above: the new 4-STAR Fiji Surf Pro Invitational 3 day event format - if conditions allow, all riders will be out on DAY1 and DAY 2 and then the best of the best on DAY 3 for Finals Day