Italo Ferreira– Brazil’s High-Flying Champion

“The Rocket Man of the Tour”
🌊 Basic Info
Full Name: Italo Ferreira
Nickname: Italo
Born: May 6, 1994 – Baía Formosa, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Nationality: Brazilian
Surfing Stance: Goofy
Favorite Surf Spots: Baía Formosa, Supertubos (Portugal), Pipeline, Trestles
🏆 Career Highlights
Championships & Titles:
2019 World Champion – powered through a stacked field with insane consistency and flair
2020 Olympic Gold Medalist – the first-ever men's surfing Olympic champ (Tokyo 2021)
Multiple-time CT event winner – France, Portugal, Brazil, and more
Notable Competitions:
Quiksilver Pro France, MEO Portugal Pro, Billabong Pipe Masters, Olympic Games Tokyo
Consistently one of the most dangerous competitors in small and medium-sized waves
Best Performances:
2019 Pipe Masters – won the event and the World Title in a dramatic showdown against Gabriel Medina
2020 Olympic Final – blew away the competition despite breaking his board mid-heat
France 2018 – landed multiple airs in beach break chaos and looked untouchable
Signature Moves:
Aerial wizard – full-rotation alley-oops, tail-high reverses, and mind-bending combos
Incredible beach break surfing – turns nothing into something
His power game is underrated: deep carves and aggressive lip hacks when needed
🏄♂️ Surfing Style & Equipment
Board Preferences:
Rides boards from Timmy Patterson Surfboards, often smaller high-performance shapes for explosive turns and airs
Usually opts for light, responsive construction to maximize speed and pop
Wetsuit & Gear:
Sponsored by Billabong, Red Bull, Oakley, Tokoro Fins, and Timmy Patterson Surfboards
Known for his bright-colored wetsuits and high-energy image
Training & Fitness:
Built like a machine – trains in the gym, surfs daily, and does air-specific drills
Also works on balance, plyometrics, and breathing techniques to manage adrenaline and stamina
Wave Preferences:
Loves punchy beach breaks and ramps – Hossegor, Supertubos, and Trestles are favorites
Still charges heavy barrels when needed, with notable sessions at Pipeline and Teahupo’o
🌍 Life Beyond Surfing
Hobbies & Interests:
Motocross, skateboarding, music, traveling, and video edits
Known for his joyful energy and constant movement – rarely stays in one place long
Social Causes:
Supports surf access and education in his hometown of Baía Formosa
Frequently donates boards, gear, and time to local Brazilian surf programs
Fun Facts:
Learned to surf on a piece of styrofoam his father gave him
One of the most followed Brazilian surfers on social media
Famous for celebrating every heat win like it’s a world title – pure passion
🎥 Photos & Videos
Must-watch: His Olympic Gold Medal performance, 2019 Pipe Masters Final, and edits like The Curious Tales of Italo
Also features in several Red Bull surf documentaries and air-focused clips
📢 Latest News & Updates
In 2025, Italo is back on the WSL CT and aiming for another world title after a wild card-heavy 2024
Recently launched his own surf academy in Brazil and dropped a signature air-training series
Also working with Billabong on a new boardshort and wetsuit collab that reflects his high-voltage style