But for Brazilian coach Leandro Dora, the balancing act is even stranger. On tour he carries a double identity – mentor to a growing roster of elite surfers, while still very much being the father of reigning world champion Yago Dora.

“It’s a normal side of the Tour,” Leandro told Tracks earlier this season. “Many coaches work with multiple athletes and they end up facing each other. Professionally, I have to support the athlete I’m coaching – that’s my role. At the same time, I cheer for a great show of surfing.

“But I’m here because of my athletes, they are the ones who financially support me so I have to take the professional side and cheer for my athlete to win the matchup.”

Leandro was forced to choose sides during the season opener at Bells when Mateus Herdy, one of his athletes, matched up against Yago. That followed on from another difficult decision during last year’s WSL Finals where Leandro stepped away from coaching Jack Robinson just before the event which crowned Yago World Champion.

Despite no longer working together professionally, Dora said his relationship with his son remains as strong as ever.

“It was a dream come true,” he said of watching Yago win the title at Cloudbreak. “I worked with him from the beginning of his career until 2024, so to see the level he reached was very rewarding.”

Away from the emotional complications of tour life, Leandro has built one of surfing’s strongest coaching stables. His current roster includes Luana Silva, Lakey Peterson, Mateus Herdy and, most recently, another world champion in Italo Ferreira.

Italo approached Leandro at Bells. The Brazilian coach admitted he never expected a surfer of Italo’s calibre to join the program.

“It was a perfect fit,” Dora said. “I didn’t expect an athlete at such a high level, with so much experience, to join the team. It’s challenging, but I’m really enjoying it.”

His coaching journey began far surfing’s big league. Back in 2002, he was working at a snack bar on Praia Mole beach in Florianópolis when he started helping run training sessions at Aragua Surf Club. Soon after, he was invited to coach Lucas Silveira – the opportunity that launched his career.

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Today, video analysis sits at the centre of his methodology. His athletes regularly train together, reviewing footage daily while still tailoring strategies to each individual surfer.

“We create an approach for each athlete,” he explained. “Before heats, we talk individually about strategy. But day-to-day, they enjoy training together and pushing each other’s level.”

That environment has also helped integrate Lakey Peterson, who joined the squad two years ago after a recommendation from former team member Brisa Hennessy. Leandro described Lakey as one of the team’s most dedicated professionals and an important influence on the younger surfers.

Outside of tour events, Dora runs Aprimore Surf camps in Brazil and Portugal, where surfing is paired with yoga, breathing exercises and technical video breakdowns. He believes confidence comes from preparation rather than mindset alone.

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“If you’re technically prepared, physically prepared and surfing well, confidence comes naturally,” he said. “The work itself prepares your mind.”

Leandro also stressed the importance of patience across a long season, preferring to focus on incremental goals rather than immediate results. For surfers fighting through early rounds, improving seeding and building momentum remains the first priority before thinking about event wins or world titles.

As the CT kicks off at Raglan, Leandro will be hoping his athletes can continue on their success from the Australian leg. Luana sits at the top of the women’s rankings while Lakey already has an event win to her name. Mateus finished strong at Snapper while Italo’s Duracell bunny act usually guarantees a result at some stage.

The post Leandro Dora’s Tour Balancing Act: Coaching Rivals While Cheering for His Son appeared first on Tracks Magazine.

Tracks caught up with Steph and Ethan in the wake of their stunning victories.

Steph Gilmore

In those high-pressure moments, do you ever think back to when you were younger surfing at home? Does that help ground you?

For me, it’s more about gratitude. Even during the final or any heat, I’d paddle back out and not even think about the scores – I didn’t know what I got or what Luana needed. I’d just look back at the beach and feel in awe of the opportunity to compete in front of that crowd.

That feeling of gratitude really puts me in a positive mindset. It helps me stay present and focused. If something goes wrong, it’s okay – just a small mistake. You paddle back out, wait for the next wave and keep going.

Being at home definitely helps, but surfing itself is special. The ocean is such a spiritual place. Compared to other sports – like tennis, golf, or basketball – we’re lucky. The ocean naturally gives you that sense of calm and clarity. It’s something we can tap into whether we’re competing or free surfing. That’s what makes surfing so unique.

Did you learn anything during your time off that surprised you?

Not really – I kind of expected how I’d feel. I knew I’d take time off and then feel jealous watching the other women compete. I could see the level rising, watching them charge at Pipe and put on amazing performances and I just wanted to be part of it again.

It was almost like an ego check – realising how much I still wanted it. And in the end, that’s what I learned: I still want to compete.

There were moments where I thought about stepping away, but I’m a competitor. I love being challenged and I think that’s important – pushing yourself helps you grow. So coming back felt right.

After winning so much, what keeps you coming back? And how important is it to win here?

Did you see the crowds today? That’s a big part of it. Moments like this are incredible. You could call it once-in-a-lifetime, but as athletes, we get to experience it more often – and that’s something really special.

Paddling back out after a good wave and hearing the crowd cheering… it’s an amazing feeling. I’ve always said I love surfing – I’d do it even if no one was watching. But having thousands of people there makes it even better.

You and Luana are starting to build a bit of a rivalry, meeting again for the second time in three events. How good does it feel to get the win this time?

It’s always fun to compete against Luana – she’s been surfing incredibly well this year. She beat me at Bells, so it feels good to get one back here.

Ethan Ewing

How important is it to win at home, on the Gold Coast, and finish the Aussie Treble strong?

It’s definitely important. I feel like I have the most support here, so you really want to make the most of that, let it energise you and push you forward. It’s huge to finish the Aussie leg on a high and carry that momentum into the next part of the season.

You performed at a really high level here. What clicked in those conditions over the last few days?

I’m just really comfortable in these waves. I grew up surfing this kind of setup, so it comes pretty naturally. At the same time, things have to fall your way during the week and it felt like they did. I was able to surf on autopilot, just enjoy it, without overthinking strategy. The level was super high, but I’m stoked with how it all came together.

The first two Aussie events were tough for the local men’s side. How meaningful is it to get a win here for the fans?

It’s huge. The first two events had really challenging conditions and there’s always a bit of luck involved in that. I got a quarterfinal at Margaret River, which was solid, but overall the waves were tricky. Coming here, to waves we’ve grown up on – like Steph and I – it feels more natural. Everyone was ripping, but things went my way this week and I’m super happy to finish it like that.

After these three events, what’s your goal for 2026? And which stops are you most excited for?

The goal is definitely the world title. That’s why we do this – spending time away from family, traveling – it’s not just to make up the numbers. It’s a big challenge, but I’m ready to put in the work.

As for the tour, honestly, everywhere. I love Fiji,  the people there are amazing and the waves are incredible. Teahupo’o is always special too. Every stop has its moments. I’m just trying to stay positive and do my best throughout the season.

The post Tracks Talks to Steph Gilmore and Ethan Ewing appeared first on Tracks Magazine.

Mother nature has given the world’s best two days off as onshore winds continue to plague the forecast. So far in WA, George Pittar and Ethan Ewing have put on searing displays of forehand precision. On the women’s side Molly Picklum and Caroline Marks have shone brightest with power and intent in their rail games.

The Brazilians have looked in fine form. Spearheaded by the return of 3x World Champ Medina, whose looked back to his best so far in 2026, and the inform Pupo brothers, Miggy and Sammy, the surfers with yellow and green on their shoulders make up half of the men’s quarter-finals in WA.

The other standout story line from Main Break was Crosby Colapinto’s Round Three victory over his older brother Griffin. The younger sibling evens the score after he lost in their only other CT match-up at Bells in 2024.

We caught up Crosby, Sammy Pupo and Medina after their Round Three victories. Check out those conversations below.

Crosby Colapinto

Importance of winning this heat against Griffin?

Yeah, it was really important. I mean, every point matters in these contests, so it was pretty crucial. It was a bummer to knock my brother out, but it is what it is. This is a long season and we both want to be world champions.

How to improve from a solid year in 2025 and what do you learn from previous experiences including today?

I think I’ll just keep doing my best surfing, showing up, believing in myself and just keep going.

Favourite Format?

I like this year’s format. It gives everyone the opportunity to surf throughout the whole year, so that’s great.

Samuel Pupo

How important is it to have a strong start after coming back from the CS?

Yeah, it’s really important. I think a strong start is essential to build confidence in my surfing. Of course, there’s always room to improve, but watching my brother win at Bells was the best day of my life. So I think we’ve got a really good energy right now, not just me and him, but the whole team traveling with us. I’m happy with my surfing, which is the main thing. If your surfing isn’t there and you’re not confident, everything changes. So I feel really confident, I just need to keep making the right decisions and hopefully the results will come.

You’ve been surfing well for years, but the results weren’t always there. Now that everything is clicking, performance and results, how important is that for 2026?

It’s kind of crazy, to be honest. I feel like I’ve been surfing well over the past few years, but the CT isn’t just about surfing. You’re competing against the best surfers and competitors in the world, so you need to be sharp competitively and have good strategy. That’s something I’ve really changed this year, having my coach with me and building specific strategies for each heat, and bringing my surfing into that. That combination makes a big difference. Making the right decisions, knowing there’s a top competitor in the other jersey, and not underestimating anyone.

Talking about his coach:

We’ve had a long-time relationship. He was the team manager at Rip Curl when I joined the brand at 13, so I’ve known him for a long time. He was at Bells when I competed there as a wildcard for the first time, and eventually he became my coach. It took us a while to actually start working together, but when it happened, everything clicked. I really trust him in everything he says. I listen a lot, and I’m also able to express what’s going through my mind, my doubts, and we make decisions together. It’s making a huge difference for me.

Challenge of facing an Aussie in the next round? 

Whenever you face an Australian here in Australia, it’s a very different environment. They have a lot of support. Joel is a great surfer, we’ve known each other since we were kids and he’s a great aerialist. For me, it’s about sticking to my strategy for the heat, continuing with my good surfing, and that’s it. Just surf.

Gabriel Medina

In really tough conditions, against a hometown favorite and one of the top contenders on the rankings, what was it like to surf out there today and come away with the win after having to watch him surf the last wave?

Honestly, it was survival mode out there. I was more focused on the waves because I had to choose wisely today, it was really hard to surf. So I focused on myself. I didn’t even hear my scores, I don’t even know what my heat total was. In my mind, I just knew I needed another wave to put more pressure on him. I was trying to find a slightly better one, but it’s really hard to surf out there, super bumpy. So yeah, I’m happy with the win. It was a tough heat and hopefully we will get better conditions in the next rounds.

It’s been a really strong start to the year. How do you keep that mindset going for the rest of the season?

It’s always good to get good results. I want to stay consistent, but step by step. I’m feeling good, you know? I feel like I’m in a good rhythm. I’ve been surfing a lot, I’m surrounded by people I like, so I think that helps. Things happen naturally. I’m in a good headspace, so I just want to keep surfing, finding a magic board, testing boards. Hopefully I can keep finding better boards for the next events. I’m motivated for what’s coming.

A couple of lay days before this round and more waiting periods ahead – how do you stay active?

I’ve been surfing and training, more surfing than training here. There’s not much time, you never know when they are going to run because they use every window the ocean provides so you have to stay ready. But I kept my routine, stayed active. My girlfriend helps me a lot day to day, so it’s been good here.

You can see Crosby, Sammy and Gabriel back in action when the Margaret River Pro resumes on 22 April.

The post What goes on Tour: A chat with Crosby Cola’, Sammy Pupo and Gabriel Medina appeared first on Tracks Magazine.

Before going on to take the event top spot on the podium, Bryan told Tracks she had big plans for the new season. “It’s a long year with many steps to get there, so I’m just trying to do the best I can in every heat. It’d be super cool to start the year with a win, but mostly I just want to do really good surfing.”

Her dominance was a feature of the event from the moemnt she hit the water. Gabriela’s lowest single score was a 7.0 in the final – the only heat in which she scored under 15 points in total throughout the entire event. Bryan’s precise carves and aggressive snaps at Winkipop inspired hoots and hollers from the crowd, even as they watched the Hawaiian steam past hometown favorite Molly Picklum, in the final.

 Picklum finished the event in a combination situation against the Hawaiian and, despite the loss, made it apparent she has carried her momentum from last year’s world title win.

The new do-or-die, sudden-death format leaves no margin for error, and surfers had to start the Bells Beach competition at their best; unlike some Bryan thrived under the pressure.

“Yeah, now that we don’t have the non-elimination round, it’s definitely added a bit more fire and you’ve got to be on, which is exciting,” she told Tracks after the final.   “It makes for really good performances. And yeah, I think that it’s really good. It’s definitely hard, but I’m excited.”

Gabriela’s Bells win builds on her strong history during the Aussie leg of the Tour, claiming her third win Down Under in three consecutive seasons, with the other two titles coming at Margaret River – the next stop on the 2026 schedule. “It’s super cool to start the year strong and be in the yellow jersey heading into West Oz,” she explained before making an ambitious statement about her plan for the 2026. “The goal is to stick with it (the yellow jersey) all year. It’s a long year, but I’m really excited.”

At Bells, Bryan’s stats told a convincing story. Of the four heats that led her to the title, half were won with her opponents in combination situations. Alyssa Spencer’s scything backhand pushed Bryan in the semis, but she responded with typical spray-throwing gusto when Spencer posted and 8.50. By the end of the heat against Picklum, the crowd wholeheartedly applauded the Hawaiian’s effort at Winkipop.

Gabriela will try to take advantage of leading the rankings after the first event in order to bring the world title back to Hawaii for the first time since 2021. “It would be super cool to bring the world title back home. We have some amazing surfers, and surfing is part of our culture, so that’s my biggest goal – to bring the world title home.”

The Women’s Tour this year is stacked with world champions. With a calendar that demands surfers to be solid in a wide variety of waves, Gabriela sighted consistency as the key to staying in contention for the title. Last year she won three events, that’s one more than world champ Molly Picklum if you discount the now obsolete Finals Day.   

“There are some really good girls on Tour, and it’s going to be really exciting fighting for the win against them, but you’ve got to be good in every event to win it all at the end of the year.”

Bryan had a welcome supporter throughout the whole competition. Fellow Hawaiian and five-time world champion Carissa Moore joined Gabriela’s pit-crew on the Winki rocks after losing in her opening heat at Bells. To the casual observer, their relationship felt like family, and they were able to celebrate together right after the clock hit zero this Sunday.

Gabriela now waits to see who she’ll face in her opening heat at Margaret River, with Yolanda Hopkins and Brisa Hennessy as the possible matchups. The event window opens on April 16th, and surfers can only hope they don’t have to deal with conditions as challenging as those they faced at Bells/Winki. Gabriela won at Margarets last year and goes in as favourite, but Picklum is already in close pursuit and equally as fancied in the heavy-water at Margarets – game on.      

The post Interview: Gabriela Bryan on her Big Win at Bells appeared first on Tracks Magazine.

“Honestly, it’s everything I’ve always dreamed of. There was a lot of hard work this preseason, a lot of sacrifice. I came to Australia twenty days earlier focused on this moment, and thankfully it all came together”, Pupo Told tracks in the locker room after the event.

It was a particularly emotional day for the Pupo family. Miguel had extra reasons to celebrate the win and shared a special memory from Bells Beach. “It’s my oldest daughter’s birthday, she turns nine today and nine years ago I was standing on those same stairs watching Samuel win the Trials.”

“This has always been the event I struggled with the most. It’s always been the hardest one for me. The best result I had here was a quarterfinal in 2022, and I had never even made it through a heat at Winkipop. And this year, I ended up winning all my heats at Winkipop, surfing well, which is the most important thing. Like I said, I woke up today thinking about this, visualising myself in yellow. And it’s funny because I was up against Yago, who was wearing yellow, and in the end that jersey came to me. I’m really happy, it’s my first time ever wearing yellow, my first time being World No. 1. and anything can happen now. I’m 34 years old, after 14 seasons… you’d think I was probably on my way out, but now it feels like I’m back at the start line again.”

Brazilian dominance is in full force again after Yago Dora’s 2025 world title, with Brazilians having won the men’s trophy in eight of the past 11 seasons. It’s early days but the rankings now feature four Brazilians in the top five, with Griffin Colapinto the only exception after being defeated by Miguel at Winkipop in the semis. Pupo is an event champion for only the second time; he had a memorable finals win in 2022 against heavily-favoured Kauli Vaast at Teahupo’o. Bolstered by the confidence of his early-season victory, the quietly determined Miguel sounded intent on ensuring the good results keep flowing. “My goal is to always keep improving and give my best, because the results will come.”

Pupo had the opportunity to be part of – and come out on top of – a historic day for the Brazilian Storm. It was the team’s best event in terms of the number of surfers reaching the quarterfinals. Miguel made sure to celebrate and acknowledge his fellow Brazilians, while also making it clear they’ll have to deal with an experienced competitor still hungry for success.

“It’s amazing. As the oldest, I kind of feel like a father figure to everyone, like a big brother at the same time. But they also make me feel young. They give me a lot of energy. It’s because of them that I try to reinvent myself every single day, to keep improving. And I feel like, with my talent, I’m still capable of doing that, that’s why I’m still here.”

During the trophy presentation in the Bells car park, the Brazilian fans who were scattered throughout the crowd showed their love and cheered for Miguel Pupo and Yago Dora, who brought home the Bells trophy that every surfer dreams of carrying. Before the event there was much talk about the push from the new posse of Australians on tour, but the Brazilian Storm is coming with thunder and lightning heading into Margarets, led by the oldest of them all, Miguel Pupo.

The post Interview: Miguel Pupo – The Rip Curl Pro bell Ringer no-one Heard coming appeared first on Tracks Magazine.

Fuelled by Yago’s World Title win, the return of Gabriel Medina or claims online that the Brazilian storm had finally passed, the yellow and green contingent have looked anything but faded at Bells.

In Round Two Gabby eased past Al Cleland Jr, Italo edged Xavier Huxtable in a back-and-forth battle. The wildcard and home town hero knocked the Brazilian out of the comp last season. Alejo Muniz got past former Bells winner Cole Houshmand and Sammy Pupo looked sharp when he beat Jack Robinson – a heat overshadowed by an interference call that’s since sparked debate online.

It’s early days in the 2026 season, but its a promising start for Brazil. We caught up with the country’s current and former champs. Check out those conversations below.

Yago Dora

Expectations for the new season as world champ? Yeah, for sure. There’s definitely a bigger expectation now. Not just from me, but from a lot of other people as well. With Gabriel coming back and everything, in a way that was actually good for me, it took a bit of the spotlight off. But of course, there’s extra pressure from carrying last year’s title. I’m happy though, I’m excited to start this campaign and try to defend it. I know I still have a lot to improve and that’s what I want, to get better at every event and be better than I was last year.

Biggest rival for 2026? It’s an honor for me to hear them (Charles and Andy King) say that I’m his biggest rival. Gabriel has always been an inspiration to me. I’ve watched him surf since I was a kid and saw him achieve everything he has. I’ve always supported him and followed his journey, and I’ve been really inspired by him. So just having my name mentioned as his main rival is super rewarding. I’m really happy he’s back. I love the challenge of competing against the best surfers, against other world champions, that’s what motivates me. I hope he comes back at the level everyone expects, has a great season and that we can really be fighting for the title at the end of the year.

New format? Yeah, it definitely adds more tension. We can’t afford to have a bad first heat. We need to show up fully focused, with the right mindset, the equipment dialed in and a clear idea of what we need to do. So yeah, it’s extra pressure, but I’m ready for it. I’m actually curious to see how it plays out, and I feel prepared to face this new format.

New calendar? I think the main new addition is Raglan, and I’m really happy about that. As a goofy footer, it’s cool to finally have a proper high-performance left on tour. We have other lefts, but they’re mostly barreling waves. So having a performance point break is going to be great. I think it brings a really good balance to the tour. I’ve never been there, so I’m excited to go, get to know the wave, and connect with it. Of course, every event matters the same in terms of points, even Pipe. But Pipe is the most important one, so if there’s one event I’d say I really want to win, it would be Pipe.

Gabriel Medina

Feeling of being back? I’m really happy to be wearing the jersey again. That feeling of competition, that little nervous excitement in your stomach, it feels good. The heat was tough because the ocean went a bit quiet. So it was all about strategy. Alan surfed really well in those conditions. I knew it was going to be hard, so I tried to play smart with priority, being on the right wave at the right time, and it worked out.

Being here with a girlfriend, family support away from home? It’s amazing to have family support, even when they’re far away. You still feel at home. When you’re in good company, time goes by faster and everything feels more natural. I’m really happy to have my girlfriend here with me. Day-to-day life has been great, we’re doing the same things we’d do at home: eating well, sleeping well, enjoying the day, making the most of everything. Of course, the focus is on the competition, but we train together too. She supports me a lot, so I’m really happy.

How have you been adjusting to the new season with so many changes in your personal life? It’s been a year of change, and every change brings a bit of uncertainty. You never really know if it’s the right decision or not. But I followed my heart and made my choices. I take responsibility for that, and I want to make it worth it. I’ve been training hard to be here. Like I said, I like to take things step by step. Mineiro (Adriano De Souza) is someone who knows the path, he’s already won here. He’s someone I really admire, and he’s been keeping me in rhythm, which is great for competition. I needed to get back into competing, and we spent some time at home in Maresias. We came to Australia early, tested boards, and put in the work. We’ve both been through this journey before.

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What drives Medina forward these days? Like I said, the choices you make in life create motivation. This is a different year. Mineiro is with me, my girlfriend is with me, I want to make them proud. They’re traveling with me, and that motivates me a lot. And of course, I want that fourth world title. Not many people have it, it’s something special, and it drives me.

It’s hard to say when it’s enough. You’re always finding new motivation. I’m happy to still have that drive because there were moments in my life when I wasn’t feeling as good, when motivation was low. But right now, I’m enjoying surfing. I like going fast on the waves, trying new things, I enjoy that. I’ve been riding different boards, seeing how they respond. Sometimes you step out of your comfort zone and notice details you didn’t see before. Every change has its positives, and I’m happy with the decisions I’ve made. Everything is coming together.

Filipe Toledo

What has changed for you compared to last season? I worked a lot on my physical and mental side. But at the same time, I was really present as a dad. I just had my third child, and I had my other two kids there as well, so I got to spend a lot of time with my family. I really enjoyed that time at home, which is pretty rare for us, to have almost eight months off. So I made the most of it, doing things I usually can’t do with them. At the same time, it was a very complete pre-season. So I’m feeling well prepared.

What motivates you to come back every year and go through it all again? I think it’s about preparing for something that’s uncertain. We’re chasing a world title, but we depend on nature—the ocean, the wind, the tide, so many variables. You prepare everything that’s under your control for something that’s actually uncontrollable. I think that’s crazy—and that’s what motivates me. To be ready for any kind of condition, any adversity. And also, just the love for it. I love this sport, I love surfing, I love competing—it’s in my blood. As long as I feel that, I’ll keep competing.

New format? I think even though they changed something people were just getting used to, the Finals format, which I’m not a huge fan of (exchange), it also brought a different vibe to the tour. Adding a new event in New Zealand gives it something fresh. It adds a bit of extra fire for the season, for everyone. So yeah, that was probably the main thing.

The post Catching up with Brazil’s World Champions – Dora, Medina, Toledo appeared first on Tracks Magazine.

Fans were treated to an aerial showdown between Griffin Colapinto and the new darling of Australian surfing, Dane Henry. Dane made his intentions clear from the opening minute of the fixture, tossing a clean rotation into a blue-sky morning at Bells. The lofty eight-point ride forced Griffin to step-up. In bigger, classic conditions Griffin may have been able to rely on his rail attack, but when Dane backed up his eight with a sun-tickler straight air he turned it into a dogfight at altitude. The former, world title runner-up fired back after being put in a deep combination situation, landing rotations on consecutive waves. If there was an edge over Dane in his rides it was minimal, but perhaps Griff was a hint cleaner in his approach. The local crowd was torn; eager to see Dane triumph but equally impressed by the tenacious response of the American. A roar was heard every time Dane got to his feet, but applause followed at the end of the heat in recognition of both surfers’ performances. Colapinto nudged out Dane by a mere 0.26 and later admitted that Dane had forced him to click into top gear. Griff advances to the Round of 16, where he will face fellow Californian Jake Marshall (a big improver in recent years), who won a close battle against João Chianca earlier in the morning.

Post-heat, Henry was disappointed but not dejected. “It really shows you who owns you and that’s the ocean,” he told Tracks. “The surf always decides the winner. I tried my best and I just needed that one more wave, but it didn’t come, but I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned to wait through waiting periods and off days and everything. It’s been a really cool experience and I’ve loved every single bit of it”.

After yesterday’s huge upset that saw Ethan Ewing book his trip to West Aus earlier than expected with a loss to George Pittar, the Easter Bunny kept delivering big surprises. In the final heat of the day it was former Bells champion Cole Houshmand who was caught off guard by a veteran yet courageous Alejo Muniz. The brutal reality of non-elimination surfing has become immediately apparent with so many higher seeds already bumped out of the event. If you have a favourite surfer, you’d better be watching because you might only get one chance to see them.

Just as Bells was about to witness a sequence of big heats, the ocean became a whimper. The surfers for the next heat were suited up, but we will have to wait for the next call on Wednesday to see comeback warrior, Morgan Cibilic face Kanoa Igarashi, and a much anticipated, Brazilian battle between world champion Yago Dora and rookie, Mateus Herdy.

The post The Big Match-Ups on Easter Sunday at Bells appeared first on Tracks Magazine.

Choosing your jersey number is an important rite of passage for CT graduates, it symbolizes your arrival in the top ranks and makes the whole ‘Dream Tour’ scenario seem suddenly real. Oscar has already made his decision about which digits to roll but has chosen to keep it a mystery until he paddles out to face Dane Henry in the new do or die opening round format at Bells. While pressure can quickly ramp up for Rookies, shortly after his place was confirmed at Newcastle, Berry told Tracks he’s happy to be kicking off his CT career at home.

Honestly, I don’t really know what to expect yet. It’s my first time doing it, so everything will be new and probably a little uncomfortable at times. But I feel lucky that the first three stops are all in Australia, which gives me a bit of familiarity. I’ll also have my friends and family around supporting me, and I think that will help a lot going into those events. Hopefully I can start the year well and build from there”.

Oscar’s surfing approach borrows more than a little from his evolved skateboarding act; he’s competed in high level skateboarding events and that experience should also help him perform in front of CT crowds.

“My biggest weapon is my variety. I think I’m well-rounded and can do well in most kinds of waves,” he states confidently. “Whatever is thrown at me, I feel like I can deal with it. I love doing airs, getting tubed and laying down big turns. I love it all.”

While the Championship Tour can be grueling and ruthless, Berry is determined to enjoy competing at the top level.

“Balancing the seriousness while still having a good time while doing it. Obviously when it’s time to compete you lock in for your heats and take it seriously, but outside of that it’s important to keep things light. You’ve got to soak it all in, because if you put too much pressure on yourself and make everything too serious, it can start to feel like a grind. So, for me it’s about keeping it fun and not taking things too seriously when you don’t have to”.

Oscar is sponsored by The Mad Hueys, a group of larrikin Australians who surf, fish and know how to have a good time. He’s also formed a core friendship group with the likes of fellow competitors Joel Vaughan, Dakoda Walters and more. It’s the sense of comradery which has served Oscar well so far.

That jovial nature was on full display when Oz was eliminated in the Round of 32 in Merewether. Despite finishing last in the heat, it was still enough to qualify for the CT and to celebrate he nailed a shoey on the shoreline with The Hueys and his mates, who were repping special ‘Oscar Berry’ tees made specifically for the moment.

Looking ahead to next month, starting the CT season at home is always a bonus for Australian athletes. Oscar is looking forward to sharing the experience with his tight-nit crew.

“It’s all about who you surround yourself with. I’ve got a bunch of really good friends and family around me and the way they celebrated with me when I qualified meant more than anything. It’s nice having dinner together, good banter with the lads and once the comp’s done maybe a few beers and just enjoying the moment”.

Berry will have a couple of weeks to adjust equipment and strategies until the CT begins at Bells, but he’s understandably eager to experience what happens beyond the Australian leg.

“I’m really excited for the El Salvador event because the waves look amazing. It actually looks really similar to the wave I grew up surfing at Angourie Point. And then, obviously, Fiji, Tahiti and Pipe – those are some of the best waves in the world. I grew up watching people surf those places, so the fact that I’ll get a chance to go there and hopefully get a few waves is pretty special. You never know, I might even get the wave of my life in a heat, which would be pretty sick”.

Every surfer has a list of rivals they’d love to share the lineup with. For Oscar Berry, that list falls into two categories.

“It would be cool to face Joel Vaughan, he’s one of my best friends, hopefully later in an event. But it’s also going to be insane to face former world champions. I’ll probably come in with a pretty low seed, so there’s a good chance I’ll be up against those guys early. I’m really excited for those opportunities. It’s going to be good fun”.

Oscar comes in as an underdog against pretty much anyone he faces on the CT, but that’s also where his opportunity lies. The Tour’s established stars should be on notice – the rookie is hungry for success after a solid Challenger Series campaign that saw him reach two semifinals and deservedly earn his spot on Tour after only his second full CS season.

The post Oscar Berry: The Australian CT Rookie is Ready to Rumble appeared first on Tracks Magazine.

A new fire was lit in the belly of the Brazilian who has threatened so many times to become the country’s next surfing superstar, but, until now, didn’t have that final spark in order to ignite and burn bright.

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Brazil has dominated the men’s rankings over the last decade with eight of the past 11 world titles heading to South America. The generation known as the Brazilian Storm, spearheaded by World Champions Gabriel Medina, Filipe Toledo, Italo Ferreira and the newly crowned Yago Dora, have helped put their country on the surfing map.

They will be joined by Mateus and Sammy Pupo, who also secured his spot in dramatic fashion at Merewether last week. Miguel Pupo, Joao Chianca and Alejo Muniz will also put on the jersey at the season opener down in Bells Beach next month.

Mateus will be the country’s only rookie on tour in 2026, but he’s already had a taste of the big stage. During the Covid-affected 2021 season he finished third as a wildcard in Mexico eliminating big names such as Griffin Colapinto and Italo before Jack Robinson ended his fairytale in Oaxaca.

But turning that promise into a permanent CT spot proved harder than expected.

In both 2023 and 2024, he came agonisingly close to qualification, finishing both seasons in 12th place after falling just one heat short at Saquarema.

“I think I got used to things not working out for me every year, and I couldn’t believe it was going to happen again. It still hasn’t sunk in yet, but I’m really happy. Becoming a CT athlete is something I’ve always dreamed about,” said Mateus.

Before the Newcastle event even began, Herdy had already made a conscious effort to shift his mindset.

“I really prepared myself to put all my energy into the competition and not think too much about qualification. That long break between last season and this one was actually good for me because it helped me focus on the present. I’m treating this as the start of the year, not a last chance, so I’m not nervous.”

That approach proved important once the event began.

Herdy started 2025 strongly, posting three ninth-place finishes and a runner-up result in the opening four events. But like many campaigns on the Challenger Series, consistency proved elusive and a run of early exits soon followed.

“What I take from this whole journey is realizing that people aren’t only there when things are going well. You really learn who’s by your side, and that you can’t give up even when things go sideways.”

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By the time the final event of the season rolled around, qualification was once again in Mateus’ hands. However, after bowing out in the Round of 32, Mateus could only watch on and hope that a number of results went the right way.

You could feel the tension in his corner. The whole Rivvia Projects crew, led by former CT competitor Julian Wilson, huddled under their gazebo on the Merewether boardwalk and nervously watched on.

“This is too much for me,” Mateus was heard uttering to Julian at one point.

That tension only grew when Levi Slawson – one of the two surfers who could knock Herdy out of the top 10 – landed a loft straight air which gave him a buzzer beater win over Shion Crawford.

Then, the heat between Dimitri and Luke. As the final minutes ticked away, Cassity threw a huge air rev to turn the heat. That, in combination with other results going Mateus’ way, was enough to secure him qualification.

The Rivvia crew erupted into celebration and Mateus broke down in tears. In an instant, the weight of the world on his shoulders was lifted.

Competitive drive runs deep in the family. His uncle, Guilherme Herdy, spent more than a decade competing professionally on the WSL, giving Mateus a front-row seat to the realities of the sport from an early age.

“Since I was a kid they’ve always been honest with me, whether it was about something I did wrong in everyday life or in contests. My family never went easy on me. That’s one of the reasons I think I’ve learned to process defeats and frustrations well. They never forced me to be there competing, it was always genuine support. It helped me keep chasing a CT spot every year without sinking into disappointment.”

That support system helped him weather the disappointments of previous seasons and keep chasing qualification year after year.

“They’re very laid-back people. My uncle (Guilherme Herdy) even texted me yesterday joking around while I was playing golf with some friends. My family is super chill. I’ve never felt pressure from them. My mom and my other uncle, Arthur, have always supported me and helped me a lot along the way.”

With the backing of his family and the support of some of the world’s best surfers, such as Julian Wilson, who now acts as his boss and team manager for Rivvia Projects, Mateus will be hoping that he can make cement his place on the CT with a solid debut campaign. You can watch the Brazilian when the WSL returns to Bells Beach next month. The waiting period kicks off on 1 April.

The post Mateus Herdy – A new Brazilian star on the Horizon appeared first on Tracks Magazine.

Andy King, who is not currently working with Medina but coached him during his legendary run in 2021, shares insights drawn from more than two decades in the game. “It’s purely up to his choice whether he commits to an entire season, whether he gets the world title or not. He’s that far ahead of everybody else, in physicality, so the only thing that, again, would just be what level of commitment that he’s coming with. If he wants that world title, basically give him the trophy now.”

Gabriel Medina hasn’t been quite the spectacular figure we expect ever since reaching his career goal of becoming a three-time WSL world champion. Injuries, personal turmoil and a victory drought have defined the most recent chapter of one of the greatest goofy-footers in history. The career downturn began shortly after his 2021 title victory. Medina separated from his then-wife, stepped away from competition to focus on his mental health, struggled to regain consistency upon returning and never made it back to the top five and the WSL Finals. Now comes the real test: proving he still belongs at the very pointy end of his generation and in professional surfing, that proof only comes one way – by winning. The challenge is even greater without Rip Curl by his side after a 17-year partnership; with no new board or wetsuit sponsorship announced, it remains uncertain which gear he will ride in his comeback.

In some respects, it seems like Medina is 17- years-old all over again, just starting his professional career with a clean slate – wondering what he might achieve? However, now there is the added pressure of expectation. Gabriel’s step-father, Charlie, one of the most colourful figures in pro-surfing, is back in Gabriel’s corner and confident he will make a successful return to competition. “I’m following Gabriel closely and I can see how motivated he is, Charlie told Tracks. “He’s a natural competitor, someone who really rises to the occasion. The most important thing right now is that he’s motivated. Over the last ten years he’s been the most successful surfer in the world in terms of results. I think he’s coming in very strong this year and I have a lot of confidence that he can win another world title.”

It is reasonable to expect Gabriel to start the 2026 CT season hitting the ground running, but at the same time, there are new faces – such as defending world champion Yago Dora – who could prove to be a thorn in the side of his fairy-tale return.

In King’s view, there aren’t many other surfers besides Yago that can stop Medina. “Not yet. Without John John, it’s more of a one threat scenario. There’s a couple of surfers coming through, but they aren’t ready yet. I’m unbelievably blown away by Yago, no doubt he will be Gabe’s biggest threat.”

Gabriel Medina’s lack of competitive rhythm could be a major factor, although the Brazilian has been putting in the work, training on both natural and artificial waves. We may see him participate in an official event soon, but it is unlikely that this will happen in the Challenger Series. If all goes according to plan, he will make his official return, after an absence of one year and seven months, at Bells Beach in April, which kicks off the year.

Fans haven’t seen Gabriel claim an event title since Margaret River in 2023, leaving more questions than answers about his ability to be a title contender on the Championship Tour. Yet despite these competitive uncertainties, Medina remains a beloved figure out of the water. His popularity in Brazil has not waned, and fans continue to follow his every move, celebrate his past achievements and cheer for his return.

Often utilising wave pools as a setting, Medina has been showing off his skills on social media, posting videos of surfing sessions and impressing fans around the world.

King says he approves of the wave pool training strategy.

“The depth of training and the preparation he had is probably going to work in his favor, to be honest, because he’s had an opportunity to explore new combos, new equipment and he’s been quite smart about it. He hasn’t rushed back in this at all. It’s going to be a 14-month preparation.”

While off Tour, Gabriel also launched his new brand Medininha, which is aimed at inspiring kids to get into surfing. The project includes youth-oriented boards and accessories and also hosts events like the Medininha Surf Day at his hometown beach in Maresias, bringing young surfers together and promoting a love for the sport and the ocean. He seems to follow in his idol Ayrton Senna’s footsteps, connecting with young fans, participating in social initiatives, and staying close to those who aspire to become like the role model they admire.

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Although haunted by past events, in recent months he has stayed away from controversies – such as those involving his friendship with Brazilian football star, Neymar – though their genuine bond remains strong. Medina has also made several public appearances at major sporting events. He and Neymar were last seen together watching an NFL game in Sao Paulo in September, enjoying a relaxed atmosphere, and later in November, Medina joined his friend Lewis Hamilton at the F1 Grand Prix in the same city. Meanwhile, Gabriel Medina’s current romantic relationship is low-key, featuring only in a few pictures on official social media.

He’s still one of Brazil’s major sports stars and by far the most famous surfer in South America and was building good form to start the 2025 season. While his Olympic quest at Teahupo’o fell short of the gold he had hoped for – mostly due to the lack of rideable waves in the semifinal – it marked the beginning of a rebuild, helping him regain momentum. That progress, however, was interrupted when he suffered a severe pectoral injury to his left shoulder during a training session in Maresias, Brazil, just weeks before traveling to Hawaii to begin the 2025 Championship Tour campaign.

The revamped Championship Tour has plenty on offer for Medina. Although WSL was forced to put Jeffreys Bay on “sleep mode” for 2026, the new spot, Raglan, offers a long-running, left point break that one can readily imagine Gabriel Medina tearing up. Overall, he has won at least once at eight of the twelve stops, if we include The Surf Ranch – the former artificial wave event, now replaced on the calendar by Abu Dhabi. While the two locations have some minor differences they both utilise Kelly Slater’s wave technology and Medina has shown he is a formidable force in this style of competition – although we’ll have to wait and see if current disputes in the Middle East throw a curve ball at the WSL’s scheduling and the Abu Dhabi event. Meanwhile, Step-dad Charlie is adamant that Gabriel can win on any wave. “Today I see Gabriel with the best backside on Tour, so it doesn’t really matter if the wave is going left or right. Whatever event or wave he’s surfing, he’ll always be one of the favourites.”

King loves the new Tour. “The structure is brilliant, I’m so excited that it has returned (to a season-long point format). The fact that it has more performance lefts on Tour, I can totally understand why Gabe chose to return. If there had been equal lefts and rights on Tour, I reckon Gabe would have challenged Kelly for the amount of world titles he would have had. ” Looking toward the end of the calendar, Portugal is back in its traditional October slot, when wave conditions are usually optimal. Pipeline’s 15,000-point event (A win is usually 10 000 points) can be a huge factor for surfers fighting for the world title – especially considering that John John Florence is unlikely to participate – and it’s a wave that suits Medina exceptionally well, given his experience and past success in Hawaii. We can also expect him to thrive in Tahiti and Fiji, events framed around heavy, left barrels. Given these factors, Gabriel may emerge as an early but legitimate contender for the throne.

When Andy King was asked to analyse Medina’s chances based on the 2026 calendar, he didn’t hesitate. “I can’t see him being defeated in any of these events,” he said, before running through the stops one by one.

Still, two venues stand out as lingering gaps in Medina’s résumé. “I can’t believe he hasn’t won Bells yet, considering how well he actually surfs that wave,” King noted, highlighting what many view as one of the few missing pieces in his career.

Then there’s Saquarema. For King, a victory at home would carry a different weight altogether. “Rio would be an iconic victory for him. And I guess that’s when you’ve secured all your dreams,” he said.

It’s fair to say that the CT isn’t quite the same without Gabriel Medina’s presence. His hunger to win is infectious, and his rivals often raise their level when facing him. If John John Florence embodies a more laid-back, free-surfing approach to competition, Medina often does his best surfing in a heat and carries a distinctly win-at-all-costs mindset. Hopefully his love for competition is fully revived after a brief period in which he publicly admitted he had lost his desire to surf. When he is focused and, in the zone, he is virtually unstoppable.

We’ll have to wait and see if Medina returns voracious for every victory and every wave, or if he eases back into competition to find his rhythm again. He will have to be sharp and ready to go to battle against a generation that started their professional careers while the three-time world champ was already dominating on surfing’s biggest stage. That said, his rivals will have to reckon with the competitive force of the 32-year-old who can operate at an unparalleled level of intensity.

Andy King thinks that it is only a matter of time until Medina elevates his all-time status. “This coming year for his return is going to be fascinating. What he’s created for himself and what his final path looks like. And when he gets this fourth world title, I can see the greater good for the history books. Mark Richards, Kelly Slater and Gabe, he deserves that fourth world title.”

One thing is certain, when Gabriel returns to Bells, he will immediately become the centre of attention in and out of the water. His talent, experience and fierce determination are irrefutable but only time can tell if he can reclaim his aura of invincibility and once again climb to the top.

The post The Return of Gabriel Medina appeared first on Tracks Magazine.