July 17, 2026
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Inverted Bodyboarding Supports Future Pros 2026 at Duranbah Beach
On Sunday, 12 July 2026, the next generation of Australian bodyboarders took to the water at Duranbah Beach, Queensland, for the fifth annual Future Pros event. Inverted Bodyboarding was proud to return as a presenting sponsor, continuing our support of an event we have backed since its very beginning.Future Pros is more than a contest. It is a vital pathway for young bodyboarders to gain competition experience, meet other riders, represent their local communities, and test themselves in a world-class competitive environment. As a key qualifier for the IBC World Tour Junior Men Rising Series, the event gave emerging athletes the chance to earn their place at the Junior Men’s world-title finale at the Gran Canaria Frontón King later this year.
For Inverted Bodyboarding, supporting this event reflects something we strongly believe in: the future of bodyboarding relies on the people, clubs, events, families, organisers, riders and businesses who continue to put time and energy back into the sport.
Bodyboarding is a small industry built on a close global community. From the first time a grommet paddles out with a board, to the junior athlete chasing a world-tour qualification, every step in the journey matters.
At Inverted Bodyboarding, we are committed to supporting bodyboarding at all levels. That includes backing our team riders, helping customers find the right equipment, supporting local scenes, and partnering with events that create meaningful opportunities for young athletes.
Future Pros is a perfect example of why this support matters. The event gives junior competitors a platform to develop their skills in a structured competition setting, while also helping build the confidence, resilience and friendships that stay with riders well beyond a single contest.
Finals Day at Duranbah Beach
Finals day began at 7:00 AM at Duranbah Beach. Although the swell had dropped from the previous day, clean conditions gave competitors an excellent canvas to showcase their riding.
The Junior Men’s semifinals and final were the main focus, with the top four semifinalists all securing a place in the Junior Men’s finale at the Gran Canaria Frontón King in October.
In the final, Bodi Hugin faced Chase Thompson in a close contest decided by just 0.36 points. Hugin secured the win with the best wave of the day, a powerful right-hand roll awarded a seven-point score by the judges.
2026 Future Pros Results
Junior Men Rising Series
1st Bodi Hugin; 2nd Chase Thompson; equal 3rd Ossian Mackenzie and Archie Williams
Cadets
1st Hardy Fletcher; 2nd Eli Dries; 3rd Tyson Wood; 4th Damon Robison
Grommets
1st Levi Taaffe; 2nd Frank Nutter; 3rd Louie Nutter; 4th Zachary Lange
Super Grommets
1st Morrison Parker; 2nd Van Taylor; 3rd Liam Beeton; 4th Louie Nutter
These results are a credit to every young competitor who committed to the event, put themselves in the contest arena, and represented the future of Australian bodyboarding.
Five Years of Future Pros
Reaching the fifth year of Future Pros is a major achievement. Events such as this do not happen without dedicated organisers, volunteers, parents, supporters, sponsors and local businesses working behind the scenes.
Inverted Bodyboarding has been proud to sponsor Future Pros from its inception. Our ongoing involvement is about more than placing a logo at an event, it is about recognising that bodyboarding grows when the community works together.
The IBC World Tour also acknowledged the organising committee and event crew for their ongoing work in supporting grassroots bodyboarding in Australia, emphasising the importance of investing in youth to develop the sport’s future professionals.
We would like to congratulate every competitor, family member, organiser, volunteer and sponsor involved in making the 2026 Future Pros a success.
Thank You to the Event Community
A special thank you goes to Dan Leyshon, the Future Pros organising crew, the City of Gold Coast, the IBC World Tour, the event partners, and every person who helped make this year’s contest possible.
Inverted Bodyboarding is proud to stand alongside the people and organisations who continue to put back into bodyboarding. We will keep supporting the sport, its riders, and the communities that make it special, from local beaches in Australia to line-ups and events around the world.
Congratulations again to 2026 Future Pros champion Bodi Hugin, and to every rider who took part. We look forward to seeing what the next generation brings to bodyboarding.
