Master of the Ocean 2026 opens in Cabarete with Dominican flair and action-packed multidisciplinary competition

Cabarete.- The 21st edition of Master of the Ocean has begun in Cabarete, Dominican Republic, bringing together multidisciplinary athletes from more than a dozen countries to compete across Kitesurf, Wing Foil, Surf, Stand Up Paddle (SUP) and Windsurf.

The event officially opened on September 16 at Coconuts Restaurant at Hideaway Beach with a tropical-themed ceremony attended by athletes, organizers, officials and guests.

Competition was initially affected by unstable northeast winds and passing rain, forcing organizers to adjust the schedule. As conditions improved, the first rounds of Kitesurf, Wing Foil, Surf and SUP got underway in 1- to 3-foot waves.

The competition format features four athletes per heat, with the top two advancing. The event emphasizes versatility and adaptability, requiring competitors to switch between five disciplines and adjust their techniques to changing ocean and wind conditions.

In the opening Kitesurf heats, Maxime L’Huillier of France, the individual Overall champion in 2024 and 2025, won Heat 1. Tom Court of England, Dominican Joselito del Rosario and Germany’s Lucas Matthes also won their respective heats.

L’Huillier and Court continued their strong performances in Wing Foil, while Jan Malte Claus and Matthes won the other opening heats.

In Surf, victories went to Mad Max Tullet, Tom Court, Jan Malte Claus and Dominican Francis Gonzalez. In SUP, L’Huillier, Peru’s Deni Blondet, Dominican Sammy Perez Hults and Gonzalez won the first four heats.

The Windsurf competition began as stronger winds arrived, but official results remained pending after conditions weakened again.

The competition continues in Cabarete, combining water sports, beach culture, music and tourism while promoting the Dominican Republic as a destination for sustainable tourism and water sports.