KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)

A thrilling second edition of the World Surf League (WSL) Surf Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic reached a spectacular climax on Sunday evening as Honolua Blomfield and Edouard Delpero were crowned champions.

Following two days of intense competition on Friday and Saturday at Surf Abu Dhabi’s world-class facility at Hudayriyat Island, the final round began with the quarter-finals and onwards to pick out the best among the last-standing eight men and women contenders.

In front of a packed crowd creating an electric atmosphere at Surf Abu Dhabi, Hawaiian legend and new mother Blomfield emerged out of the pack to set up a tantalising women’s final against American star Avalon Gall. In the men’s event, 2024 Abu Dhabi champion Steven Sawyer of South Africa seemed set for an encore with Frenchman Delpero in the way.

As they took a break for the final showdown, thousands of fans in attendance were treated to a sensational concert from surf music icon Donavon Frankenreiter, further enhancing the vibes and party atmosphere on a memorable day.

When the finalists returned to the world’s longest man-made wave, it was Blomfield who triumphed following a total score of 16.60, just ahead of Gall (16.43). She will take home the special handcrafted trophy, carved from ghaf wood and featuring a handwoven Sadu pattern by Emirati women artisans.

It represents a remarkable return to the top for the three-time WSL Longboard World Tour champion, who competed in Abu Dhabi last year while pregnant and has now won the title just six months after giving birth.

Blomfield said: “All of it’s a lot to take in. I feel like I’ve had such blessings in the past few days, all my great waves... and then sharing a final with one of my besties, of course. My partner talked me through the mental side, and you just have to believe in yourself. I tend not to do that a lot, but I’m glad that I had that in me.”

On returning to the Tour after becoming a mother, Blomfield added: “I was pregnant last year, so it was hard... and then I had my baby. I really just wanted to do it, because who else would if not me? And I just thought it’d be a cool thing to take my baby on the road with me, let him see a few things, and this [winning a title] was kind of the goal.”

It was then the men’s turn to close the show, and they did not disappoint, with Delpero claiming an impressive victory with a score of 15.80, compared to Sawyer’s 14.43. Delpero said: “Last time I won was in the pool too, so I’m stoked. This is unreal. I want to go back home as fast as possible and be close to my family. That’s the only thing that really matters now. I have no words.”

The finals provided a fitting conclusion to a spectacular weekend at Surf Abu Dhabi, where fans were treated to a special festival experience featuring world-class longboarding and a vibrant Surf Village with live music and family-friendly activities.