Conor Donegan and David Pérez win 2026 Lanzarote Quemao Class
Conor Donegan and David Pérez have taken out the 2026 Lanzarote Quemao Class at El Quemao in La Santa, Lanzarote, Canary Islands.
The ninth edition of the prestigious tube riding event crowned two new champions in a world-class wave that could very well be part of surfing and bodyboarding world tours.
Over two days in which ocean conditions exceeded – as always – all expectations, athletes pushed every heat to the limit to make the most of a demanding wave that once again proved why it is a stunning reef break.
The surf final featured Basque surfers Adur Amatriain and Yago Domínguez, France’s Joan Duru, and Lanzarote’s Conor Donegan.
In a very tight heat, the local surfer came out on top after posting two of the most impressive waves of the event.
Donegan was also one of the big surprises of this year’s Quemao Class.
One of the youngest surfers in the field and solid from his very first heat, the local improved round after round until establishing himself as one of the most consistent competitors, capping his run with a victory celebrated at home.
“From the moment the championship started, I felt really good. Even before it began, I had the feeling this edition could stay at home, and I hoped I could be the one to win it,” noted Donegan.
“I felt very comfortable. In the end, I know where to position myself and which waves to choose. What I didn’t imagine were these results, and honestly, I don’t have words.”
“I want to thank all the locals – in the end, this award is theirs too, because they’re the ones who have helped and pushed me since I was little,” he said.
World-class bodyboarding at El Quemao
In the bodyboarding division, the final brought together France’s Pierre-Louis Costes, Basque rider Alex Uranga, Fuerteventura’s Ruyman Rey, and Tenerife’s David Pérez.
It was a high-level heat in which the Tenerife native claimed victory.
David Pérez had been one of the standout competitors since the start of the event. He excelled round after round, establishing himself as the surfer to beat in the final.
“This year, I felt a strong connection with the championship, a different kind of motivation,” Pérez explained after being crowned champion.
“I’ve competed in three editions, and in the previous ones it hadn’t gone so well for me, so maybe I had a bit of unfinished business.”
“The atmosphere here in La Santa, the people on the beach, the quality of the wave – it all adds up. When you enter a final, you know you have to take risks and give your best, and this time it worked out.”
The awards ceremony brought this 9th edition to a close with a festive atmosphere in La Santa, where local artist NASE performed live.
The musician, author of the song featured in the event’s official teasers, brought to the stage a track that has already become part of the Lanzarote Quemao Class’s sonic identity, reinforcing the link between sport, culture, and place.
“This edition of the Lanzarote Quemao Class has made something clear today: we need to promote it even more, we need to take care of it, and that’s being demonstrated by the involvement of everyone over these days,” added the mayor of Tinajo, Jesús Machín.
Before the event started, the town of La Santa and the surfing community paid tribute today to the memory of David Infante “El Fula” with an emotional, respectful memorial paddle-out honoring the surfer who lost his life at El Quemao in 2009.
“It’s moving to see the town and the competitors coming together for the memorial,” said Héctor Rodríguez, co-director of the event.
“We want people to continue remembering him. The Lanzarote Quemao Class is held in his memory. Honoring him in every edition is an essential part of the event.”
Bodyboarder Ruyman Rey from Fuerteventura also emphasized the importance of the memorial for those who knew him.
“I was lucky enough to know him, and today is a very emotional day for me. Seeing how the event pays tribute to ‘El Fula’ in every edition is very important to us, and we’re grateful to be part of it.”
2026 Lanzarote Quemao Class | Finals
Surfing
- Conor Donegan
- Joan Duru
- Adur Amatriain
- Yago Domínguez
Bodyboarding
- David Pérez
- Pierre-Louis Costes
- Alex Uranga
- Ruyman Rey
Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com
