Talented, calculating, passionate if there's one surfer that can polarise opinion in the blink of an eye it's gabe medina. Mimi lamontagne gets inside the head of the boy from Brazil
It’s May 8, 2017. I’m standing on a back patio in the tiny town of Maresias, Brazil. The sun is setting, and as I sip on my cold Ambev Skol, condensation dripping down the translucent blue bottle, some of the most mouth-watering scents I’ve ever had the pleasure of sniffing waft towards me. The chef, whose name I can’t remember, is talking loudly in Portuguese with the six or so young men sitting in lawn chairs around the island kitchen area. A middle-aged and extremely well dressed woman comes up to him and wags her finger as he hands her a slice of seared picanha. She kisses him on the cheek and heads back inside to her youngest daughter, who is calling her for help inside.
The chef looks at me. “You’re not from here, are you?” “No,” I say. “And you, haven’t had a Brazilian BBQ before?” “No.” “Well then, you’re in for a treat.”
Of the six guys sitting around the barbecue, five are Gabriel Medina’s family – cousins and brothers. The other is Favon, one of the larger humans I’ve seen in this world. For lack of a better phrase, he’s a big teddy bear – incredibly sweet with a loud yet friendly voice, completely kooky with oversized black-rimmed glasses, and always ready to give you a high five. Or a hug, if you dare.
Favon is Gabriel Medina’s “bodyguard”. And I put bodyguard in air quotes because, although Favi is employed to protect Gabby, he’s basically just his good mate. When I asked Gabriel, he acted surprised I called him that. “Favon? Favi? I’ve known him since I was a little kid. Yeah, a long time. He’s pretty much my good friend, but when it gets really busy, he kind of works a little bit. He lives near me in Maresias and he’s always with me on the road. It’s nice.”
Denne historien er fra Issue 183-utgaven av Carve Surfing Magazine.
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Denne historien er fra Issue 183-utgaven av Carve Surfing Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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2020 Wetsuit Guide
If the recent boom in wetsuits sales is anything to go by, the best bit of advice we can give you is make swift decisions and invest quickly. To help you, here’s the lowdown on the best wetsuits on the market right now.
CEYLON STORIES
SERENDIPIDITY IN THE INDIAN OCEAN.
ENGLISH NATIONALS
TOLCARNE TAILSPINS IN THE LAST COMP FOR A WHILE . . . MAYBE
THE ST VALENTINE 'S DAY MASSACRE
ROB MILES AND CALLUM DAVID THOMAS MIX IT UP WITH THE WORLD’S BEST AT ALL TIME SAFI.
BARBADOS
FAMILY FRIENDLY SURF TRIPPING TIPS
GENE GENIE
FROM PAIGNTON THROUGH VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL KITCHENS WITH A SOJOURN IN THE SCOTTISH ISLES EUGENE TOLLEMACHE NOW CALLS INDO HOME AND IS LOVING LIFE
*OCCIDENTAL DRIFT
THE BLEEDING EDGE OF SURF EXPLORATION IS A HOT, INHOSPITABLE PLACE. BUT WORTH THE MISSION.
TASMANIA ART CLUB
BRENDON GIBBENS AND DION AGIUS EXPLORE THE LITTLE CHUNK HANGING OFF THE BOTTOM OF AUSTRALIA AND GET CREATIVE
Mr Smith
THE GENIAL ED SMITH IS ONE OF THOSE SURFERS THAT HAS A TON OF ABILITY AND TOYED WITH THE COMP SCENE BUT SOON REALISED A REAL TRADE AND SURFING FOR HIMSELF WAS A WISER OPTION. WE BUMPED INTO HIM ON OUR MISSION TO SCOTLAND, AND HE WAS KILLING IT EVERY SESSION. SUPER STYLISH, ALWAYS DEEP, A PLEASURE TO SHOOT. HE 'S A GOOD BLOKE TO GO FOR A PINT WITH TOO.
SETH MOZ
SETH MORRIS IS A YOUNG PRO FROM A QUIET PART OF WALES. HE JOINED US ON OUR WINTER MISSION TO PORTUGAL, WHERE HE IMPRESSED ALL WITH HIS STYLISH ATTACK. READ ON FOR A PEEK INSIDE HIS HEAD.