Famous Brazilian Surfers

Last Updated on January 8, 2024 by Matt Hapgood

Brazil is known for its incredible beaches, warm waters, and punchy, powerful waves – the perfect landscape for surfing.

The sport of surfing has exploded in popularity in Brazil, and the country has produced some of the world’s best professional surfers in recent years.

In this post, I highlight some of Brazil’s most famous surf icons from the past, present and future. 

TL;DR (Too long didn’t read)

Here’s my full list of the best Brazilian surfers

Gabriel Medina
Italo Ferreira
Maya Gabeira
Adriano de Souza
Silvana Lima
Filipe Toledo
Lucas Chumbo Chianca
Tatiana Weston-Webb
Joao Chianca
Caio Ibelli
Jadson Andre
Luana Silva
Yago Dora
Miguel Pupo
Sammy Pupo
Willian Cardoso
Jesse Mendes
Ricardo dos Santos
Flavio Padaratz
Neco Padaratz

Famous Brazilian Surfers – Modern Day

Gabriel Medina

No list of famous Brazilian surfers is complete without Gabriel Medina.

Hailing from São Sebastião, Medina started surfing at a remarkably young age. He joined the ASP World Tour in 2011 at just 17 years old, making him one of the youngest surfers to ever qualify.

I vividly remember seeing him compete when he was 15 in the Quiksilver King of the Groms in France, which I was watching live. He won – doing a combination of air reverses, a Superman air, and getting a two-wave total of 20 points in the process! Insane.

Watch it again below.

And Gabby lived up to the hype, winning three World Titles – and the scary thing? He’s still hungry for more.

He is an absolute monster when the waves get serious – like in Tahiti in 2014, he beat Kelly Slater in a crazy final match-up. Medina went on to win the World Title that year, and become the first Brazilian to become the best in the World. One of his heroes was the late great Andy Irons, and it shows. 

Medina, was really the first of the Brazilian storm to really start to beat the best surfers in the World’s best waves announcing his arrival onto the World stage in 2014. 

Medina’s aggressive, progressive style has earned him a reputation as one of the most exciting surfers to watch. He clinched his first World Title in 2014, and since won two more World Titles in 2018 and 2021, cementing his legacy as one of the best on the WSL championship tour. 

Oh, fun fact: Gabby has the most followers on Instagram of any pro surfer – at the last count 11.5 million! 

Italo Ferreira  

ítalo ferreira is another Brazilian surfing superstar known for his speed, power, and aerial abilities. Ferreira grew up as a young surfer in Baía Formosa, a small seaside village where he started surfing on handmade boards.

Now, he’s considered one of the best Brazilian surfers in the World – and the only male surfer to currently hold an Olympic gold medal. 

In 2017, Ferreira joined the elite Championship Tour where he earned the reputation of being one of the best barrel riders in the world. In 2019, he won his first World Title in dramatic fashion to become one of the best, and bringing Brazil its third men’s championship.

Maya Gabeira 

While Brazilian male surfers earn much of the spotlight, the country also boasts some of the top female surfers. Maya Gabeira has made a name for herself by surfing gigantic waves, earning multiple world records. 

In 2020, Gabeira surfed a 73.5 foot wave in Nazaré, Portugal.

This set the world record for the largest wave ever surfed by a woman, breaking her own previous record. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Gabeira’s feats have showcased Brazilian women’s big-wave surfing on the global stage.

Adriano de Souza

Nicknamed “Mineirinho”, Adriano de Souza comes from the state of Minas Gerais. He joined the World Tour in 2008 and climbed up the rankings, gaining a reputation for his competitive drive and determination. He is a Brazilian professional surfer who sought help from none other than Mick Fanning when De Souza was trying to improve his results in Hawaii. 

In 2015, De Souza won his first World Title, an emotional moment where he broke down in tears. He paved the way for modern pro surfers from Brazil. He is the third Brazilian man to win a surfing World Championship.

First Brazilian to Win the Billabong Pipe Masters when he defeated Gabriel Medina in 2015, and in doing so he became the World Champion! Epic.

Silvana Lima

Another pioneering Brazilian female surfer is Silvana Lima from Paracuru. She dominated longboard surfing for years, winning the Women’s World Longboard Title in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013. 

Lima then switched to surfing shortboard on the Championship Tour. She finished Runner-Up in 2009 and Semifinalist in 2011. Lima continues to be an ambassador for Brazilian surfing today.

Brazil’s surfers have made a tremendous impact on the sport, winning World Titles and breaking records. With so many great waves, it’s no wonder Brazil produces so many talented, world-class surfers.

From Gabriel Medina to Italo Ferreira, Maya Gabeira to Silvana Lima, Brazil’s surf icons continue to inspire new generations of surfers in their country and beyond.

Filipe Toledo

Hailing from Ubatuba, surfer Filipe Toledo emerged on the scene as a teenager with his progressive aerial surfing. His ability to perform seemingly impossible airs during competition earned him the nickname “the Air Show.” 

Toledo has won numerous contests over the years, including some of the biggest like the 

US Open of Surfing, which takes place at Huntington Beach California (Incidentally, Toledo was not the first Brazilian to win this event – Alejo Muniz won it the year before). 

Toledo joined the World Tour in 2013 and made an immediate impact. He finished ranked in the top 5 for four consecutive years between 2017-2020, showcasing impressive consistency.

In 2022, Toledo finally captured his first World Title, edging out Jack Robinson and Italo Ferreira. Still only 27 years old, expect Toledo to continue pushing the limits of aerial surfing for years to come.

Most recently, Toledo clinched his second World Title at the WSL Finals in California and shows no signs of slowing down!

Lucas Chumbo Chianca

When it comes to surfing massive waves, few can compete with Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca. This big wave charger is renowned for surfing giant swells up to 80 feet high at Praia Do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal.

Chumbo earned the Guinness World Record for the biggest wave ever surfed in 2020. His feats pushing the limits of what’s possible have cemented his reputation as one of Brazil’s premier big wave surfers.

Tatiana Weston-Webb

Born in Porto Alegre, Tatiana Weston-Webb grew up competing in Brazilian regional contests. After moving to Hawaii, she joined the World Tour in 2014. Weston-Webb emerged as a rising star through her powerful, progressive surfing.

In 2021, she finished runner-up in the World Title race. Weston-Webb continues to be one of Brazil’s top female competitors on the Championship Tour.

Joao Chianca

The brother of Lucas Chumbo, Joao Chianca is making a name for himself in big wave surfing. He holds the distinction of being the first surfer to ride the gigantic waves at Nazaré on a bodyboard.

Originally a bodyboarder, Chianca eventually transitioned to surfing and has proven adept at riding giants on both. Count on seeing more huge wave feats from this talented surfer from Saquarema in the future.

Brazil clearly has an incredible depth of surfing talent that continues to drive progression of the sport. From competitive world champions to big wave chargers, the country keeps producing iconic surfers with each generation.

With no shortage of potential stars coming up, expect Brazilian surfers to remain atop the sport for years to come.

Caio Ibelli

Hailing from the state of Rio de Janeiro, Caio Ibelli is part of Brazil’s new generation making an impact on the Championship Tour. His fast, progressive style has earned him multiple event wins. In 2021, Ibelli finished ranked 5th in the world, his career best result so far.

Still just 25 years old, his aerial skills and competitive drive position him as one of Brazil’s rising stars. 

Jadson Andre

Also from Natal, Jadson André is another promising surfer representing Brazil’s future. He qualified for the World Tour in 2015 and won that year’s Rookie of the Year award.

André’s signature powerful carving turns and tube riding ability have earned him event wins. He will look to contend for a World Title over the coming years.

Luana Silva

A rising female star representing Brazil’s next generation is Luana Silva. Hailing from Saquarema, Silva’s career took off when she won the South American Pro Junior Title in 2018 at just 14 years old.

Her speed, power and progressive maneuvers have continued turning heads. After success in the Challenger Series, Luana qualified for the 2023 Championship Tour at only 18 years old.

With her competitive drive and abundance of talent, Luana Silva appears poised to become a major face of Brazilian women’s surfing for years to come.

Yago Dora

This up-and-coming surfer from Maresias represents Brazil’s growing contingent of young talents. Yago Dora qualified for the Championship Tour in 2019 and won that season’s Rookie of the Year award.

His fast, progressive approach has already earned him national titles and visibility on surfing’s global stage. At just 23 years old, his career ascent appears to just be starting.

One of the best in modern Brazilian surfing 

Miguel Pupo

Another promising surfer carrying Brazil’s future hopes is Miguel Pupo from São Paulo.

He qualified for the World Tour in 2011 and has been competing at an elite level since. Pupo’s specialty is high performance surfing in small to mid-size waves. Fast and explosive, Pupo will look to reach new heights in his career over the next few seasons.

Sammy Pupo 

The son of former WSL Tour veteran Fabio “Pupo” Gouveia, Sammy Pupo grew up immersed in surfing along Brazil’s coast. He qualified for the Championship Tour in 2018.

While Sammy has yet to make a Finals, his talent and determination provide optimism that he can become another World Tour success for Brazil.

Willian Cardoso

Hailing from the state of Santa Catarina, Willian Cardoso is another of Brazil’s top competitors on the World Surf League Championship Tour. He first joined the elite tour in 2011 and has remained a fixture since with his powerful, traditional surfing approach.

Cardoso’s best career result so far was finishing World No. 8 in 2017. 

Jesse Mendes

One of the most talented Brazilian surfers of the 1980s, Jesse Mendes pioneered high-performance surfing in Brazil. He was among the first Brazilians to compete internationally, joining the ASP World Tour in 1984.

Renowned for his speed and aggression, Mendes reached as high as World No. 4 in 1989. Though his competitive career ended in the 90s, Mendes laid the groundwork for generations of Brazilian surfers to follow.

Ricardo dos Santos 

Ricardo dos Santos was a Brazilian surfer known for his heavy wave exploits at spots like Teahupoo Tahiti, and Pipeline in Hawaii.

Dos Santos reached the quarterfinals at the 2012 Billabong Pro event in Tahiti in defeating Kelly Slater along the way.

At the contest he was also presented with the Andy Irons award, given to event’s most determined competitor.

He reached a career-high WQS ranking of 62 in 2011.

Tragically, Dos Santos was shot dead on January 20, 2015, by an off-duty police officer outside his home in southern Brazil close to the city of Florianópolis. He was 24. The officer involved in his death was sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Best Brazilian Surfers – Back in the Day

Flavio Padaratz 

In the late 1990s and 2000s, Flavio Padaratz was among Brazil’s most successful pro surfers. He won his first Championship Tour event in 1998, and reached as high as 3rd in the world rankings in 2004. Padaratz was renowned for his smooth style and soulful approach to surfing both small waves and large. Though now retired from full time competition, he remains an influential ambassador for Brazilian surfing.

Neco Padaratz

The younger brother of Flavio, Neco Padaratz followed in his footsteps to reach surfing’s elite ranks. He joined the World Tour in 2007, gaining recognition for his accomplished performances in hollow and powerful waves. Padaratz’s best result came in 2011 when he finished ranked 9th at year’s end.

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