Pierre-Louis Costes: the 2016 APB World Tour champion | Photo: Tabone/APB

Pierre-Louis Costes has clinched the 2016 APB World Tour title, at El Fronton, in Galdar, Canary Islands.

The world bodyboarding title was decided in the penultimate heat of the season. The Fronton King Pro 2016 crowned a new champion in epic conditions. Riders were greeted with 10-to-15-foot waves unloading raw power.

Because of the out-of-control Category 3 Hurricane swells that kicked during the afternoon, the organization opted for running the semifinals and the final in a four-man format.

El Fronton proved why it is considered one of the most challenging bodyboarding waves on the planet and, once again, athletes were invited to push the levels of the sport with deep tube rides, and insane airs.

With so much water moving, and not so much water underneath, Amaury Lavernhe was the first to secure a spot in the final. In the second semifinal, Costes and Hubbard knew they were fighting for their lives.

However, the APB World Tour math told us that if Jeff Hubbard did not make it to the final, Costes would be crowned the 2016 world bodyboarding champion.

With ten minutes on the clock, the Hawaiian was struggling to find a good wave and needed an excellent score to jump to second place, and advance into the final.

Costes kept catching waves and, when the horn sounded, he raised his fist. The French backflipper had just won his second world title five years after his maiden victory.

Pierre-Louis Costes: the French secured another world title at El Fronton | Photo: Tabone/APB

"In 2011, when I won the title here, I thought that I wouldn't live another day like that. But the truth is that today is a better day. My best friend won this incredible event, and I won the world title once again," expressed Costes.

"But it is not only the world title that matters. It is also what we all did today for the sport. We only do this for the passion because we love it. We're surfing waves that could kill us, so thank you very much."

The Fronton King Pro 2016 final got underway in a lowering tide, but the dangerous conditions didn't stop Amaury Lavernhe from defending his event title.

"I am very proud of being a bodyboarder. We are here competing in massive waves, and we are not here for the money. We're here because we love this sport more than anything," added Lavernhe.

"I am very emotional right now. I am not from the Canary Islands, but I love this place, and I feel great here. I am very proud that this title stays in Galdar."

The 2016 APB World Tour season is over. The world's best bodyboarders will return in 2017 for an action-packed year of vertical drops, deep barrels, and high-performance airs.

Fronton King Pro 2016 | Final

1. Amaury Lavernhe (REU), 17.10
2. Pierre-Louis Costes (FRA), 15.00
3. Igor Sanchez (CNY), 7.77
4. Uri Valadao (BRA), 7.16

Fronton King Pro 2016 | Semifinals

1. Amaury Lavernhe (REU), 16.17
2. Igor Sanchez (CNY), 13.10
3. Mitch Rawlins (AUS), 12.13
4. Jacob Romero (USA), 10.40

1. Pierre-Louis Costes (FRA), 16.00
2. Uri Valadao (BRA), 15.30
2. Jeff Hubbard (HAW), 10.34
3. Alan Munoz (CHI), 9.67

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