CABARETE, Dominican Republic – September 21, 2025
The 20th edition of the Master of the Ocean came to a spectacular close under perfect Caribbean skies. With sunshine, glassy 3–6-foot waves, and almost no wind, the final day was hailed as the most beautiful of the competition — an ideal stage to crown the new champions of this unique watersports decathlon.
The coveted Overall Champion title went to Maxime L’Huillier of Mexico, whose consistency across all disciplines and outstanding surfing carried him to the top. Juan Silvestre Lena of Argentina secured 2nd place, and Dominican rider Samuel Pérez earned 3rd, to the delight of the home crowd.
In the Team category, Kite Beach Center claimed 1st place, led by captain Samuel Pérez-Hults with teammates Alejandro Ciprián (Surf), Joselito del Rosario (Kite), Maarja Kivistik (SUP), and Makani Andrews (Wingfoil). In 2nd place, the Dream Team (captained by Francis González with Nicolás de la Cruz, Carlos Arnaun, Aline Adisaka, and Maxime L’Huillier) showcased power and precision. Elite Watersports (led by Elvis Pichardo with Adolfo Mena, Edwin Hiraldo, Daniel Liriano, and Samuela Mulé) rounded out the podium in 3rd.
The Future Masters Junior division delivered inspiring performances that point to a bright future for Cabarete. Luca Lamberti took 1st, Luis Alfredo Cruz placed 2nd, and Bo Bougant claimed 3rd.
Special honors went to Maarja Kivistik as Overall Female Master, and to Jerónimo Abogado as Overall Future Master, recognizing their outstanding contributions and versatility across the event.
On the beach, fans were treated to flawless displays of Surf and SUP riding in the finals, where endurance, style, and flow came together in pristine conditions. The atmosphere was electric as Cabarete once again confirmed its place as the world’s hub for multi-discipline watersports.
Adding a cultural highlight, the Beach Culture World Tour, led by hall of fame windsurfer and watersports legend Brian Talma from the action island of Barbados, presented the Global Organic Tourism Awards to Georges Coutu and Millennium Hotel for their outstanding contribution to Cabarete’s watersports and athletes over the past 40 years, as well as their support of Master of the Ocean since its inception in 2003. Additional awards were given to Copa Airlines and Edelweiss Air in recognition of their strong contribution to sports tourism and their ongoing support of the event.
Beyond the competition, the week-long event blended sport, sustainability, and community, with highlights including the Community Day at Encuentro Beach and cultural exchanges that enriched both athletes and spectators.
The event, powered by Happy Dolphins DR foundation, would not have been possible without the support of its partners, as well as the support of Cabarete Mayor Freddy Cruz. This edition’s sponsors and collaborators included Copa Airlines, Edelweiss, German Embassy in Santo Domingo, Ministerio de Turismo, Dirección General de Aduanas, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Viva Wyndham Resorts, Millennium Resorts & Spa, Natura Cabana, Lifestyle Holidays Hotels and Resorts, Hotel El Kaoba, Corona, and Enterprise,, as well as dozens of local heroes and community partners who helped bring this edition to life.
After the winners were crowned at the podium at 2:00 pm on Encuentro Beach, the celebrations continued into the evening with the official Closing and Awards Ceremony at Ojo Club, followed by the Closing Party with DJ Jesse Funk (Germany) and DJ Pedro Caba (Dominican Republic), bringing athletes, organizers, and fans together in true Cabarete style.
Reflecting on the milestone 20th edition, event founder Marcus Bohm remarked: “This year was a true celebration of the ocean, of athletic spirit, and of the community that makes Cabarete so special. The Master of the Ocean family keeps growing, and the future is brighter than ever.”
Thank you Cabarete — see you at Master of the Ocean 2026!
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