For his whole professional career, Filipe Toledo has represented the tip of the spear of the progressive surfing movement. Small in stature, but massive with his moves, especially in the aerial realm, this Brazilian tornado’s heart-pounding approach has netted him 10 Championship Tour victories since his CT debut in 2013.

He’s a second-generation pro who grew up outside of Ubatuba, Brasil. His father, and long-time coach, Ricardo, was a two-time national champion. In 2014, as his career took flight, Filipe convinced his entire family to move to San Clemente, California. Today, Filipe’s two children with his wife Ana are the newest additions to their legendary backyard barbeques.

According to his peers, Toledo’s volatility is the only thing stopping him from achieving his dream of a World Title. His high-flying act also makes him vulnerable to injury (he sat out two events in 2016) and his early youthful passion has led to a series of costly mental errors (he was suspended for one event in 2017 for his behavior in the wake of an interference call).

His breakout year came in 2015 when he won three events and finished No. 4. In 2019, he battled for the World Title at Pipeline, finishing the season again as No. 4 on the Jeep Leaderboard. In 2021 he came even closer to his ultimate goal of a World Title, making the best of three Final against Gabriel Medina in the inaugural WSL Finals. Medina overcame him in what was one of the most explosive World Title showdowns in surfing history, but Toledo’s runner-up finish was the best result of his stellar career.

Instagram: @filipetoledo