Puerto Rico "Wind Warriors" Windsurf World Wave Tour event
by Irene Kravitz Correa 7 Mar 23:32 GMT
Following its sixth successful edition, the Puerto Rico "Wind Warriors" Windsurf World Wave Tour event, presented by @VoyTuristeando, the official brand of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, the Federactión of Windsurf of Puerto Rico, and WindsportsPR.com, has solidified the island's status as a premier global destination for the sport.
The event, which ran February 14 to 28, 2026, in Vega Baja, marked a historic milestone by blending elite competition with a cultural movement that is reshaping the future of windsurfing in the hemisphere.
The Puerto Rico Windsurf World Tour event brings together athletes from around the world for a cultural exchange and a thrilling tournament experience. The tournament drew an elite international selection, featuring competitors from Guadaloupe, Perú, Panamá, Colombia, Argentina, Italy, Bulgaria, South Africa, and Japan. There were also several athletes from different parts of the island, including Culebra, Santa Isabel, Aguadilla, Isabela, Jayuya, Ponce, Dorado, Bayamon, and San Juan. The event also hosted participants from the United States, including athletes from Hawaii and Florida.
The event has activities for professional athletes, amateur windsurfers, and fans. From the official ceremonies to the professional photoshoots, live competitions, windsurf clinics, parties, and eco-adventures. Beyond the tournament, athletes enjoyed an unforgettable, distinctively Puerto Rican journey, immersing themselves in authentic culture and deepening lifelong relationships.
The festivities kicked off on February 14th with an Opening "Dia de la Amistad" Ceremony sponsored by Malibu Rum. Guests toasted to the competition with specialty flavored guava and passion fruit cocktails while previewing the year's trophies and prizes.
An Important Tournament for Pro-Athletes
Among the elite competitors this year was Argentinian pro-athlete and business owner Santiago Lirosi, who sees the Puerto Rico Windsurf World Tour event as a pivotal stop on the World Wave Tour. For athletes like Lirosi, the event is a bridge between North and South America, the Caribbean, and Western Europe. The pro circuit includes tournaments in Fiji, Japan, and Australia. Puerto Rico's central location provides a much-needed regional hub for competitors to secure vital ranking points without leaving the hemisphere.
Puerto Rico offers a unique luxury for windsurfers to trade heavy wetsuits for warm water swimwear, a condition not found at the majority of stops on the global tour. After experiencing the island's conditions firsthand, Lirosi expressed high praise for the caliber of the swell, noting that the island is unknown to many windsurfers, but the conditions are exceptional, and he thinks the event is putting Puerto Rico on the map as a premier destination for windsurfing.
For pro athlete Denise Blondet, she was attracted to the event for the same reasons. The event represents a strategic tournament for Chilean, Argentinean, Peruvian, Brazilian, Caribbean, American, and Spanish athletes. She likes that the culture is Latin and the language is both Spanish and English. It makes the travel less stressful for her. She also loves the high-energy Puerto Rican music.
As a professional athlete, she wanted to practice in starboard conditions (sailing with the wind on the right), which is the opposite of that in her country of Peru (port-tack with wind from the left). She trained diligently to improve her skills in these conditions, which increases her ability to compete in other starboard conditions effectively. She loves the challenging wave sailing conditions and hopes to bring more of her fellow athletes on future occasions.
The Unforgettable Viral Moment
The tournament window opened on Friday, February 20, 2026, as a powerful Atlantic cold front delivered a massive swell to Puerto Rico's shores. While event producers Irene Kravitz and Nelson Pérez opted to postpone official heat scoring until the following day, they pivoted quickly to capture the historic conditions.
Deploying a full team of safety boats, organizers staged an elite photoshoot that saw athletes sailing massive, mast-high waves. The session featured masterful performances, including Bernd Roedinger (Hawaii) and Takara Ishii (Japan), Arnaud Le Villain (Guadeloupe), Santiago Lirosi (Argentina), Nelson Pérez (Puerto Rico), and Denise Blondet (Peru), navigating the heavy surf with precision. The resulting footage became an immediate global sensation, amassing over 1 million views as audiences worldwide tuned in to witness Puerto Rico's world class wave sailing potential.
The Competition Results
The energy peaked on Saturday, February 21, as fans gathered on the shores of Vega Baja for a world class display of windsurfing. The event, presented by @VoyTuristeando, the official brand of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company in partnership with the Federación de Windsurf of Puerto Rico, Municipality of Vega Baja and its Department of Recreation and Sports, and WindsportPR.com, offered a vibrant cultural experience. Against a backdrop of decor from the Porta Atlantico Tourism Office, Discover Puerto Rico and the rhythmic island sounds of reggae band Habichuelas, attendees enjoyed a festival atmosphere complete with Boquerón Beer and White Claw Hard Seltzer.
Safety and logistical excellence were ensured by key partners Maristany Insurance, Cabera Car Rental and JC Remodeling, allowing the competition to progress seamlessly. In the highly anticipated Pro Men's division, Hawaii's Bernd Roedinger claimed the top spot on the podium. He was followed closely by local favorites, with Isabela's own Charlie Rovira taking second and Felix Bermudez of Santa Isabel securing third. Japan's Takara Ishii secured 4th place, marking a successful conclusion to the pro-men division.
The tournament reached its high energy conclusion on Sunday, February 22, 2026, with a focus on the Women's, Masters, and Challenger Divisions. To mark the occasion, Mayor Marcos Cruz and Recreation and Sports Director Jonathan Gelpi presided over a formal awards ceremony at the stunning tropical event site. In a moment of local pride, Dorado's own Kaelyn Holmes claimed first place in the Women's Division, followed by Peru's Denise Blondet in second. Irene Kravitz Correa, representing Panamá, secured third, with Evelyn Ramos of Bayamón rounding out the top four. As the athletes took the podium to receive custom etched trophies and medals, the ceremony served as a final testament to the island's burgeoning windsurf talent.
Unforgettable Post-Event Experiences
Following the podium ceremonies, Discover Puerto Rico curated a series of premium adventures to showcase the island's diverse landscape. The athlete enjoyed a unique experience touring Old San Juan in a sports car, followed by a high octane 'grand finale' at Toro Verde Eco-Adventure Park, where they tackled 'The Beast', one of the world's longest zip lines. Beyond the official competition, the athletes explored Puerto Rico's legendary coastline, catching world class swell at iconic breaks including Los Tubos in Manatí, Jobos Beach in Isabela, Wilderness in Aguadilla, and La 8 in San Juan, solidifying the island's reputation as a premier watersport destination.
What is the Future for Windsurfing in Puerto Rico
The comments of the athletes were often the same: "Why aren't more people windsurfing in Puerto Rico?" Many said, "These are Fiji like conditions, but better." Others commented that the sailing they experienced was the "best of their lives". The resounding phrase from event participants was "next time". Puerto Rico captures the imagination of an international audience of windsurfers, and we hope to continue to grow the sport both locally and around the world, and both recreationally and for high performance athletes. Whether it's inspiring locals to enjoy the wind and water or hosting international athletes to compete in an internationally sanctioned pro windsurfing event, Puerto Rico has all the potential to be the next big windsurfing destination.