2025 EditionNews
Playa de Las Américas, in Arona, hosted the eighth edition of Europe’s top surf festival: the Spring Surfest Las Américas Pro. An event that continues to grow, bringing together more than 300 surfers from across Europe, while strengthening its environmental commitment and cultural offering through a program full of activities and initiatives that encouraged community participation and highlighted the multidisciplinary spirit of the festival.
In terms of competition, the major new feature this year was the inclusion of the Spanish Surfing Championships, ensuring the presence in Las Américas of the country’s top riders. After a spectacular day of finals, with excellent conditions provided by the ocean, Tenerife’s Melania Suárez and Cantabrian surfer Sean Gunning were crowned national champions in Arona.
The standout name of this edition was, without a doubt, local surfer Nadia Nalesso Blanco, who closed the final day of competition by claiming the European under-14 title at the Eurokids. Just days earlier, the young Canary Island surfer had already secured a double victory in the Junior categories, winning both the under-16 and under-18 divisions.
The Eurokids, one of the festival’s flagship events in recent years, also spotlighted two Italian surfers: Rocco Rigliaco claimed the under-14 European title, outperforming Stefano Mandozzi, a Las Américas local with Italian roots who delivered the best performance of the entire event in the under-12 final. His perfect combined score of 20 points, thanks to two flawless rides, earned him one title and one runner-up finish on the festival’s final day.
Tenerife also enjoyed the talent of several European surfing legends. Jonathan González, one of the greatest Canary Island surfers of all time, and France’s Michael “Miky” Picon went head-to-head in the +40 Euromaster category, just as they did years ago on the global competitive circuit. On this occasion, the Canary Island rider took the win, becoming the +40 Euromaster European Champion.
A regular at the event, ambassador of the festival, national surfing legend, and one of the top attractions each year at the Euromaster, Dani García once again proved that he has no rival in his division. For the third consecutive year—and after dropping into the repechage due to an interference—he reclaimed the +50 Euromaster European Champion title, battling through seven heats on the final day.
Once again, the Spring Surfest Las Américas Pro was much more than surf. The organization put together a packed schedule of activities, starting with a beach cleanup co-organized with Turismo de Tenerife, Surfrider and the Surfing With Me project. It wasn’t the only environmentally focused initiative; the final weekend included the Blue Surfest, a day designed to discover and learn about Tenerife’s marine ecosystem alongside biologists Pablo Martín, Carla Pérez, Edu Martín, and Carla Henríquez.
The festival also offered a wide musical program, giving attendees the chance to enjoy live performances by the group Agua del Chorro from Los Realejos, Los Salvapantallas, Ruts & La Isla Music and many other artists who took to the main stage of the Spring Surfest Las Américas Pro. Various local artisans and shops also showcased their creations at the festival market, and even a local running club, De Costa Run Club, joined this year’s edition with an open running session.
This festival would not be possible without the support of public institutions such as the Cabildo de Tenerife, through Turismo de Tenerife and its brand Tenerife Awaken Emotions. Its CEO, Dimple Melwani, took part in the first beach cleanup and emphasized that “with the participation of surfers from across Europe, Spring Surfest Las Américas Pro has strengthened its position as a showcase for emerging talent. The great weather, the public response, and the dynamism of the setting have created a vibrant atmosphere that already sets the stage for the next edition, where we expect to continue raising the competitive level and international reach of the event.”
For Melwani, “beyond the sporting event, this edition has strengthened our commitment to sustainability through beach and seabed cleanups, awareness talks, and other initiatives led by Surfing With Me — all of which highlight the close relationship between surfing and ocean conservation.”
The Arona City Council and its Tourism Department are also key to the festival’s ongoing success. Naím Yánez, Tourism Councillor for the municipality, noted that “the Spring Surfest Las Américas Pro once again demonstrates why it is one of Europe’s premier sporting and tourism events. We’ve enjoyed an extraordinary edition, with impeccable organization, a very high competitive level, and a fantastic response from the public. For Arona, hosting an event of this caliber positions us as a leading international surf destination and reinforces our commitment to tourism linked to sport, nature, and the preservation of our natural heritage.”
Alongside public support, the sustainability of events like this depends on strong private-sector partnerships. The Spring Hotels chain has, for the fifth year, been fully committed to a festival with which it closely identifies. Miguel Villarroya, CEO of the chain, explains: “Once again, we have supported this event that brings together sport, culture, and sustainability. We are very pleased with the outcome and with continuing to strengthen our social commitment alongside the best partners”.
