Hope for Brazil
…at surfing.
With Brazil’s football demi-gods crashing down to earth this week, it’s perhaps time for Brazil to recognise and revere their homegrown surfing deities.
For the first time in history, Brazil’s professional men and women surfers have a serious chance of becoming World Champions in 2014.
So people of Brazil, save your tears. Celebrate and cheer on your surfing super heroes:
Gabriel Medina
Gabriel Medina learning to fly
Image source: ESPN
After 5 events in the 2014 WCT Gabriel Medina is ranked #1, having won the Quiksilver Gold Coast Pro and the Fiji Pro so far.
His unbelievable aerial acrobatics, ballsy barrel riding and latin flair means he’s tipped to be the first Brazilian to become ASP World Champion.
Gabriel Medina’s Bio:
• Born in Sao Paulo on 22 December 1993
• His hometown and break is Maresias, Sao paulo
• Started surfing aged 9
• Youngest surfer to ever win a WQS event (aged 15)
• Won ISA U18 World Title in 2010
• Joined the WCT mid-season in 2011
• Finished 12th on his WCT rookie year
• ASP break-through performer of the year 2011
• In 2012 he finished 7th on WCT
Adriana de Souza
Adriano de Souza slotted
Image source: FCS
Consistent, fearless and ferociously ambitious. With 10 years of competitive surfing experience Adriana has learnt a lot, and believes he can still win the world title.
Currently poised in 6th place on the WCT leaderboard, Adriana has the wisdom and will to leap into the lead and claim the ultimate surfing title.
Adriana de Souza’s Bio
• Born in Sao Paulo on 13 February 1987
• Home break: Florianópolis
• Started surfing aged 8
• 2003 won Billabong ASP World Junior Championships
• Youngest ASP World Junior Champ (aged 16)
• 2005 won WQS tour by largest margin in history
• Qualified for the world tour 2006
• WCT top 10 for 5 years straight (2008-2012)
• 2011 appeared in film Blue Crush 2
Silvana Lima
Silvana Lima flying high
Image source: UB
Silvana is currently ranked #1 on the WQS tour, and has a successful surfing history. She’s respected and admired on tour for her aerial abilities and flawless tube riding.
She stands out from the crowd with pre surf capoeira displays and her gallery of tattoos (especially the giant bell to commemorate her win at Bells Beach in 2009).
Silvana Lima’s Bio
• Born in Ceara on 28 October 1984
• Home break: Rio de Janeiro
• Started surfing aged 12
• 2005 scored the first perfect 10 in ASP Women’s history
• 2006 qualified for WCT
• Finished 3rd in 2007, 2nd in 2008 & 2009 on WCT
And these are not the only Brazilian surfers worthy of worship.
Maya Gabeira is carving a new path in women’s big wave riding and Carlos Burle is 6th in the ASP Big Wave world tour. Not to mention the long list of longboarders ruling the waves.
So come on Brazil, you’ve still got plenty to shout and dance about.