This year's TIME 100 Most Influential People includes Gabriel Medina (BRA) in its list of Icons, a category that last year included Academy Award winner Robert Redford and Pope Francis. So while Medina may be out of contention for the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro title, it appears reigning as the first Brazilian World Champ still carries a lot of weight.
When Medina won Brazil's first surfing world title last year, he did more than become the second youngest champion ever. He showed that his country was now a serious player surfing. From 2001 to 2011, the total number of surfers jumped 35 percent, to about 35 million, and the sport is projected to become a $13.2 billion global industry by 2017.
TIME magazine has included the reigning World Champ in its annual list of 100 Most Influential People.
By shaking up a sport typically dominated by Americans and Australians, Medina has become an icon in Brazil and is inspiring a new generation to make some waves. (Full article)
Check out Medina's road to the 2014 World Title at World Title Central and follow his journey in 2015 using alerts on the WSL app.
Medina Named TIME Icon
WSL
This year's TIME 100 Most Influential People includes Gabriel Medina (BRA) in its list of Icons, a category that last year included Academy Award winner Robert Redford and Pope Francis. So while Medina may be out of contention for the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro title, it appears reigning as the first Brazilian World Champ still carries a lot of weight.
When Medina won Brazil's first surfing world title last year, he did more than become the second youngest champion ever. He showed that his country was now a serious player surfing. From 2001 to 2011, the total number of surfers jumped 35 percent, to about 35 million, and the sport is projected to become a $13.2 billion global industry by 2017.
By shaking up a sport typically dominated by Americans and Australians, Medina has become an icon in Brazil and is inspiring a new generation to make some waves. (Full article)
Check out Medina's road to the 2014 World Title at World Title Central and follow his journey in 2015 using alerts on the WSL app.
Gabriel Medina
A history-rich location with waves on tap for the last European QS before the summer.
Gabriel Medina ganhou o primeiro duelo brasileiro do sábado com Yago Dora e Italo Ferreira passou por Willian Cardoso.
Medina's 19.13 Round 3 heat score sent a strong message to everyone on Tour -- he's dead set on chasing back-to-back titles.
Defending World Champ Gabriel Medina takes to the air to secure a near perfect heat total of 19.13 (9.33 + 9.80) in Round 3 of the Quik Pro.
"It was hard to get the Jeep Leader jersey and I don't want to lose it. I'm feeling really confident. I know how this game works."
News
After three consecutive lay days are called, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach gets through the earlier rounds today at Winkipop.
The Elimination Round sees four male and two female competitors bow out at the Rip Curl Pro. Swell is expected to build through the week.
Check out a selection of imagery from the Pro Zarautz, 2018 edition!
The Tour vet avoids an early exit at the Rip Curl Pro, winning Heat 1 of the Elimination Round against Jack Freestone and Harrison Mann.