2025 Season Review: De’Lori Gomes, World Champion and a Year to Remember

As the countdown to the 2026 season begins, International Bodysurfing Association looks back on a defining year for the Bodysurfing World Tour. The 2025 season delivered world-class performances, emotional stories, and unforgettable moments — none more powerful than the crowning of De’Lori Gomes as World Champion in Australia.

Congratulations De’Lori Gomes on winning the World Championships in Australia!! Cheeehooo!!!

The 2025 IBSA World Tour Finals, held at the demanding and iconic Point Cartwright on Australia’s Sunshine Coast, brought together the best bodysurfers in the world for a finale worthy of the season. Strong currents, shifting conditions, and an exceptionally deep women’s field tested every athlete to their limits. Rising above it all, De’Lori Gomes delivered a performance defined by commitment, focus, and resilience.

This world title marks not only the culmination of a hard-fought competitive year, but also a deeply personal journey. From the challenges of previous seasons to the sacrifices required to compete on the world stage, De’Lori’s 2025 campaign embodies the spirit of the Bodysurfing World Tour.

As part of our end-of-year review and our look ahead to 2026, we revisit De’Lori’s words from the Finals. Her interview below is reproduced in full, offering insight into her journey, mindset, and passion for bodysurfing.

Athlete Interview – De’Lori Gomes, 2025 IBSA World Champion

1. Could you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your background in bodysurfing?

Aloha, my name is DeLori Gomes from Honolulu, Hawaii. Bodysurfing wasn’t always my first love, bodyboarding was. In my pursuit of obtaining sponsorship for that I got injured, probably one of the worst ones any aquatic athlete can get, a dislocated shoulder. After a long period of avoiding the surgery, and having multiple dislocations and ER visits I had the surgery. I followed the recovery procedures to the letter because i’ve seen it time and time again, athletes go back too soon or even worse, rush the process and get re-injured within a year. After a year long hiatus to complete the rehab and recovery I got back in the pool and eventually got over the “sketchy” mindset of the ocean. I also realized I could out swim majority of the bodyboarders and the rest is pretty much history. I’ve not been on a bodyboard for over a decade.

2. Tell us about your journey to this 2025 Bodysurfing World Tour Finals. What have been the highlights of your competition season?

My journey to the 2025 Finals was filled with emotions, many of which was fueled by the controversial ending of the 2024 Finals, wanting to honor the passing of my mom, and giving my family the joy of seeing the results of the hard work, time away and sacrifice it took to get me to Australia. Winning the qualifier at Makapu’u definitely was the highlight.

3. How have you specifically prepared for this final at Point Cartwright, and what strategies do you plan to use to tackle the waves in Australia?

I think the biggest part was knowing that I was going into waters that wasn’t freezing. As far as strategies, well I believe wholeheartedly that solitude and mindset play a huge part in everything, which helped me to develop a plan and stick to it, but also lets just be real about it, Mother Ocean can and will change on a dime.

4. How important is the diversity of competitors from many different countries to you? How does it influence the competitive spirit and camaraderie on the tour?

Diversity is amazing! It brings so much flavor to competing and adds so much to the competitiveness attitude from all of the athletes. I honestly believe that outside of the water everyone is having a great time just being in the moment but once the fins go on and we’re in the ocean a gear shifts and the world seems to stop.

5. Can you share an anecdote or memorable moment from your experience during the 2024 IBSA BWT QS Events that led you to these finals?

Using the emotions to fuel my focus was a great tool to winning the QS.

6. What was your most memorable moment at this year’s Finals?

My most memorable moment, I mean I can’t just pick one. The field of competitive women is nothing short of fierce, nothing is free and every point was hard earned. The ripping current at Carty’s was brutal by the time the finals rolled around. Hands down being carried up the sand by my team mates, having so much gratitude in my heart for the opportunity, and thee most amazing hospitality shown by the host region of Coolum and the Sunshine Coast.

7. How did you discover your love of bodysurfing and describe your home break?

My love for bodysurfing has definitely grown over the years, its challenging, highly progressive and often overlooked. My home break is the highly coveted Point Panic on the south shore of Oahu. That’s not to discount in any way the inside fat deep and steep peak at pipe or the dream bar at at Ehukai. Panics is a right point break that breaks on a shallow reef that dredges into a deep channel. The pay to play zone at pipe is exactly that, its not if but when your dues will be paid. I started wearing a helmet this year after seeing too many people with head injuries. The dreamy sandbar at ehukai is also just as described, soft sand, long screaming rights and lefts and an inside steep dredge where alot of boards are broken.

8. What advice would you give to young bodysurfers aspiring to compete on the Bodysurfing World Tour?

My advice for any up and coming bodysurfers is to learn and get familiar with the administrative side of competing. So in turn someone needs to teach them. We all know how to bodysurf, what alot of us don’t know is how to acquire permits, insurance, judges and sponsorship. Inside of that surf a new wave, something different to challenge how you’d normally ride. Keep in peak physical condition, get plenty of rest and stretch. Stretching has become an integral part of my regiment because lets just be real, throwing myself into waves at Panics, Pipe and Sandy’s is no walk in the park. I wish everyone a positive and competitive year, keep your head in the game and don’t let anyone get in the way of you believe you can achieve.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we close the chapter on 2025, De’Lori Gomes’ world title stands as one of the defining highlights of the season. Her journey reflects the dedication, diversity, and competitive excellence that continue to drive the IBSA World Tour forward.

With 2026 on the horizon, the standard has been set. The countdown has begun.