Meet Brazil’s beloved Olympic surfers : NPR

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Whenever you suppose Brazil and sports activities, it is all about soccer, proper? The South American nation has lengthy been a soccer powerhouse, however Brazilians have additionally been dominating one other sport in world competitors – browsing. And heading into the Paris Olympics, they’re excessive among the many favorites. NPR’s Carrie Kahn experiences.

(SOUNDBITE OF WAVES CRASHING)

CARRIE KAHN, BYLINE: The seashore within the small city of Saquarema, about two hours north of Rio De Janeiro, is packed.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

KAHN: Everyone seems to be on look ahead to the World Browsing League championship to start. However regardless of clear skies and superb aqua blue water, the waves are flat at present. Native surfer 40-year-old Joao Milheiro says on day, the quick lengthy left break right here is Brazil’s finest.

JOAO MILHEIRO: (Talking Portuguese).

KAHN: “That is the Maracana of browsing,” he says, equating Saquarema’s surf to the enduring Brazil soccer stadium. Soccer continues to be king in Brazil, however browsing is gaining floor. Brazilians have gained each World Browsing League title since 2018.

NELTER MACEDO POGE: (Talking Portuguese).

KAHN: “Brazil is dominating. It is the Brazilian storm,” says 62-year-old surf teacher Nelter Macedo Poge. “They’re prepared for the Olympics,” he provides. Browsing debuted in Tokyo on the final Olympics, with Brazil’s Italo Ferreira profitable the gold. Poge says browsing is so in style, even followers get respect.

POGE: (Talking Portuguese).

KAHN: “After I used to return to this seashore, like, 30 years in the past, cops would see the boards on my automotive and pull me over. They thought each surfer was a stoner,” he says.

POGE: (Talking Portuguese).

KAHN: “Not all surfers had been stoners again then. However for certain,” he says, “all stoners had been surfers.” As of late, the Brazilian surf scene is extra mainstream. Sixteen-year-old Giovana Vinte took up the game final 12 months. She drove six hours to get right here and is bummed the waves do not charge but.

GIOVANA VINTE: I cried lots.

KAHN: I imply, are you continue to having enjoyable?

VINTE: I am nonetheless having enjoyable.

KAHN: She loves that girls are in a position to compete alongside the lads, which is so not the case for Brazil’s soccer groups.

VINTE: In soccer, we see extra males play in Brazil. Do not have that visibility. However in surf, I see that extra.

KAHN: She’s excited for the Olympics. The surf competitors might be held in French Polynesia at Teahupo’o in Tahiti, which has been referred to as one of many scariest and most entertaining waves on the planet. Brazilian staff member Tatiana Weston-Webb did not do properly in Tokyo, however she says she’s prepared for Tahiti.

TATIANA WESTON-WEBB: Teahupo’o is a barreling wave over a shallow reef. So it is a fairly intense wave. It isn’t simple. And you actually must get comfy after some time browsing there. And I do really feel comfy.

KAHN: Brazil will ship three girls and three males to the Olympics. They secured two further spots, one for every gender, after an important run within the qualifiers in Puerto Rico. However the staff has had some unhealthy breaks these days. Ferreria, the Olympic gold winner, did not qualify this 12 months. The present world champion, Filipe Toledo, who did qualify, has taken the 12 months off the professional tour, citing psychological well being points. And one of many brightest stars, Joao Chianca, was hospitalized after a extreme wipeout final December at Pipeline in Hawaii. He’ll be browsing within the Olympics with a helmet.

JOAO CHIANCA: It is type of bizarre. We would like some freedom generally, however that is what is on the desk for me. That is the playing cards that I’ve to play with this 12 months.

KAHN: Regardless of the few bumps, Globo TV sports activities reporter Raphael De Angelis says Brazil’s Olympic prospects are nice, and so is the rising fan base at house.

RAPHAEL DE ANGELIS: These days, we are able to say that it is 60% and the nation of soccer, 40% the nation of surf.

KAHN: The followers on the seashore in Saquarema agree. I ask surf instructor Nelter Macedo Poge which method he swings.

POGE: (Talking Portuguese).

KAHN: The nationwide soccer staff is a large number. He says he is sticking with the surfers. Carrie Kahn, NPR Information, Rio De Janeiro.

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