Hallbergmoos, July 26, 2025 – What a day: an energetic crowd right next to the 180-meter wave and surfing at the highest level. Team Spain wins the title at the first Rip Curl Nations Trophy presented by California, writing a new chapter in European surfing.
In an exciting final heat, Team Spain prevailed over Italy – carried by team spirit, spectacular maneuvers, and the applause of over 3,000 spectators.
“It feels incredible to celebrate this historic moment with our team – we gave it our all, it was pure sportsmanship,” said Hugo Ortega, part of the winning team.
A new era for European surfing
Eight nations, four athletes per team, direct knockout mode, tactical lineups, and changing wave modes: the format developed by SURFTOWN showed today how much power and potential there is in team surfing.
“We wanted a format that was athletically compelling, generated excitement, and allowed people to experience surf culture in a new way – today proved that it works.”
– Chris Boehm-Tettelbach, CEO and founder of O2 SURFTOWN MUC
The whole day was an interplay of adrenaline on the waves and festival vibes on land: with live DJs, street food, an afterparty, and the premiere of a new Rip Curl surf film.
Photos & highlight clips: Mediakit
Rankings
Spain (Hugo Ortega, Lucia Machado, Gony Zubizarreta, Carla Morera de la Vall)
Italy (Diana Giorgi, Chiara Cuppone, Matteo Calatri, Leonardo Apreda)
About the Rip Curl Nations Trophy presented by California
The Rip Curl Nations Trophy presented by California by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles was held for the first time in 2025. The aim is to give Europe's best surfers a stage – as teams, in direct competition, in Europe's largest surf park: the O2 SURFTOWN MUC in Hallbergmoos near Munich.
