Pedro Matos Crowned 2025 Kite-Surf World Champion

From a slow start to a spectacular finish

Early in the week, light winds and dropping tides kept the riders waiting. But as the wind built and the swell rolled in, Taíba began to fire — delivering the kind of technical waves that reward flow, timing, and local knowledge.

When the green flag finally went up, Pedro Matos wasted no time finding his rhythm. Confident and composed, he advanced smoothly through the early rounds, setting up what would become one of the heats of the season.

A decisive battle: Pedro vs. Airton

When competition ramped up, all eyes turned to Round 3, where Pedro faced six-time world champion Airton Cozzolino in one of the most anticipated heats of the season. Both riders were still in contention for the world title, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

Wave for wave, the two traded powerful rides in front of an electric crowd. Pedro posted two standout scores — a 7.37 and an 8.13 — edging out Airton’s 7.23 and 7.07 to take the win. The result not only ended Cozzolino’s title hopes — it ignited the beach and pushed Pedro one step closer to his dream.

Carew powers through to the podium

Fellow Duotone powerhouse James Carew once again showed why he’s one of the most dominant riders on tour. Riding with trademark precision and raw power, he advanced confidently into the semifinals after taking down Switzerland’s Hendrick Witschi.

In the mini-final, Carew put on a show, stomping out two of the event’s highest scores — 8.13 and 8.43 — to secure third place overall. His performance underlined his consistency and his ability to bring heat-winning form when it matters most.

The title clash: Pedro vs. Benetton

The semifinal between Pedro Matos and defending world champion Gabriel Benetton decided it all. Both Brazilians knew that whoever advanced would claim the 2025 world title.

Pedro rode with complete focus, linking clean turns and flowing through the shallow, low-tide sections with control and confidence. Benetton fought hard, but Pedro’s wave choice and execution proved decisive. When the final horn sounded, the beach erupted — Pedro Matos was crowned 2025 GKA Kite-Surf World Champion, sealing a dream season and etching his name into the history books.

An all-Brazilian final and a perfect ending

With the title secured, Pedro faced local hero Arthur Morais in the final. Morais, feeding off the energy of the Taíba crowd, delivered a 16.67 heat total to claim his first-ever GKA event win. Pedro finished second on the podium — a commanding performance that capped an unforgettable week.

Camille Losserand ranks fourth overall

In the women’s division, Duotone’s Camille Losserand came into Taíba ranked second overall after a strong season. Although an early exit to Brazilian newcomer Lidiane Sanders kept her off the podium this time, Camille still wrapped up the year in fourth place overall in the 2025 world ranking.

Matchu Lopes & Sebastián Ribeiro: flow and fire

Matchu Lopes, ever the definition of style and smoothness, delivered solid performances early in the competition before narrowly losing to Benetton in Round 4 — but not before reminding everyone of the artistry that has consistently defined his career.

Sebastián Ribeiro, competing on home waters, brought his signature surf-driven power to Taíba’s playful peaks. While the results didn’t fully reflect his level, his fluid rail-to-rail flow and deep connection to the ocean once again made him a crowd favorite.

A season to remember

From the peeling lefts of Cape Verde to the long desert walls of Dakhla, through Sylt’s cold-water battles and finally the heat of Taíba, the 2025 GKA season had it all.

For Duotone, Taíba delivered the perfect finale — Pedro Matos crowned World Champion, James Carew on the podium, Matchu Lopes and Sebastián Ribeiro riding with signature style and consistency, and Camille Losserand cementing her place among the top waveriders.

Massive congratulations to the entire Duotone team for a season defined by dedication, progression, passion, and performance at the highest level — we couldn’t be more proud of you!