Preview of the 2026 Aloha Classic: German leading duo face the ultimate challenge in Maui

There are just three days between the official end of the Tiree Wave Classic in Scotland and the start of the Aloha Classic in Hawaii. For Marc Paré in particular, that means: out of the wetsuit, onto the plane and halfway round the world. After all, it’s not just any old contest waiting in Hookipa, but one of the most prestigious wave competitions of all. The contest window for the 43rd Aloha Classic is open for twelve days – and hopefully the powerful north swells that have made this event famous will be there too.

Ho’okipa – the arena for the experts

Hookipa is beautiful, spectacular – and merciless. Even the journey out to the lineup can determine victory, defeat or wrecked equipment. Out there, currents, wind holes in front of the impact zone and a flat, sharp reef all converge. Anyone who wants to win here needs not only radical turns and aerials, but also perfect timing and a good knowledge of the spot.

That is precisely why the Aloha Classic is always a showdown between the all-rounders on the tour and the Hookipa specialists. Morgan Noireaux knows every rock on the reef and goes into the competition as the defending champion. Bernd Roediger, Camille Juban, Levi Siver and Kai Lenny – who is also entered – are among the riders who are always capable of winning. They are joined by Tour stars such as Marcilio Browne, Antoine Martin, Takuma Sugi, Thomas Traversa and, of course, the reigning world champion Marc Paré.

When Hookipa is running big and clean, it’s not so much the results so far this season that count, but rather instinct, positioning and stylish wave riding.

• ​Hookipa: My first Aloha Classic – Anton Richter tells the story

Paré v Köster – Title showdown on separate paths

The men’s World Championship battle in 2026 is dominated by two names: Marc Paré and Philip Köster. In Gran Canaria, Köster won by a narrow margin ahead of Paré, whilst in Tenerife and most recently in Wissant, the Spaniard reversed the order. Before Tiree, Paré led the overall standings with 24,500 points, with Köster following on 23,300 points – just 1,200 points separated the reigning world champion from the five-time champion.

Right now, both are battling it out on the Scottish island of Tiree for more vital points. The contest window there runs until 16 October, whilst the Aloha Classic begins as early as 19 October. For Paré, this could turn into a real travel saga: if the decision in Scotland is delayed, he will have only a few days left for the long journey from the Inner Hebrides, via several airports, to Maui.

However, there won’t be a direct showdown with Köster at Hookipa. The German has skipped the Aloha Classic and, after Tiree, is focusing on the final 5-star event in Chile from 14 to 29 November. Paré can therefore pick up important points on Maui without his closest World Championship rival and potentially extend his lead significantly. Köster will try to take the lead in Tiree and then strike back at the Grand Final in Chile.

​The 2026 world rankings will be based on each competitor’s four best results of the season. Results from all events in the 1- to 5-star categories may be taken into account. This means that as soon as a competitor has accumulated more than four valid results, the weakest results will be discarded. For the title race between Marc Paré and Philip Köster, therefore, it is not only the current points tally that is decisive, but also which of their previous results they can replace with those from Tiree, Maui or, later, Chile.

Erpenstein and Behrens: Hopes of a German title on the North Shore

In the women’s event, the situation looks sensational from a German perspective: Lina Erpenstein and Maria Behrens are heading to the Aloha Classic as the number one and two in the world wave rankings. Two German riders at the top! And both have already proven that they can cope with the challenging conditions at Hookipa.

Behrens finished second at the 5-star Maui Pro in the spring. With her clean, powerful wave riding and excellent wave selection, she was not far off victory. Erpenstein finished fourth, missing out on the podium by just 0.06 points. Following her second-place finish at the World Cup in Tenerife, she later took the lead in the overall standings.

At the Aloha Classic, the two Germans will be up against, amongst others, 16-year-old Sol Degrieck – who recently won the World Cup in Wissant – as well as Pauline Katz, Lisa Wermeister, Natsuki Wakasa, Svenja Chudoba and Julia Meijer. Sarah-Quita Offringa has not yet been entered following her foot injury. The field is small but dangerous – and there are no easy heats at Hookipa. For Erpenstein and Behrens, therefore, it is not just about the famous Aloha crown, but also about securing the best possible position ahead of the final World Cup in Chile.

The action kicks off in Hookipa on 19 October. Then it’s back to deep bottom turns, late hits, high aerials – and always keeping an eye on the next set. The Aloha Classic isn’t the end of the season, but it’s perhaps its most important stage. And in 2026, another chapter in windsurfing history could be written there – particularly from a German perspective.

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