From the wave-rich shores of São Sebastião, Brazil, Gabriel Medina emerged as a game-changer, redefining competitive surfing with his fearless aerials and unyielding drive. Born on December 22, 1993, Medina became the face of a new era—where power, precision, and progressive maneuvers collide.
His rise was meteoric. At just 15, he claimed his first major professional victory, signaling a shift in the sport’s competitive landscape. In 2014, he made history as the first Brazilian to win the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Title, igniting a surfing revolution in his home country. Since then, he has dominated the tour, securing multiple WCT wins at some of the most revered breaks on the planet—Teahupo’o, Pipeline, J-Bay, and beyond.
Yet, Medina’s impact extends far beyond competition. In 2017, he founded the Instituto Gabriel Medina, a program dedicated to mentoring and supporting the next generation of surfers through training, psychological guidance, and educational resources. Known for his intense work ethic, charismatic presence, and groundbreaking innovation—whether stomping backflips mid-heat or inspiring young athletes—Medina continues to push the sport forward.
| Place of Birth | São Sebastião, São Paulo, Brazil |
| Hometown | Maresias, São Paulo, Brazil |
| Year of Birth | Dec 22, 1993 |
| Weight | 169 lbs (77 kg) |
| Height | 5 ft, 11 in (180 cm) |
| Stance | Goofy |
| First season | 2008 Men’s QS |
Table of Contents
Milestones
- 3x World Champion (2014, 2018, 2021)
- 2013 WSL World Junior Champion
- 2015 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing Champion
- WSL Championship Tour event wins: 18
Event Wins
WCT Wins
- 2023 Margaret River Pro, Margaret River, Western Australia
- 2021 Rip Curl Rottnest Search presented by Corona, Rottnest Island, Western Australia
- 2021 Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic presented by Corona, Narrabeen, New South Wales
- 2019 Freshwater Pro Lemoore, California, United States
- 2019 Corona Open J-Bay Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape South Africa
- 2018 Billabong Pipeline Masters, Banzai Pipeline, Oahu Hawaii
- 2018 Surf Ranch Pro Lemoore, California, United States
- 2018 Tahiti Pro Teahupo’o, Teahupo’o
- 2017 MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Supertubos, Peniche Portugal
- 2017 Quiksilver Pro France, Hossegor, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
- 2016 Fiji Pro Namotu, Tavarua, Fiji
- 2015 Quiksilver Pro France, Hossegor, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
- 2014 Billabong Pro Teahupoo, Teahupo’o, Tahiti
- 2014 Fiji Pro Namotu, Tavarua, Fiji
- 2014 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
- 2011 Rip Curl Search, San Francisco, California, United States
- 2011 Quiksilver Pro France, Hossegor, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
WSL Finals Wins
- 2021 Rip Curl WSL Finals, Lower Trestles, California, United States
WSL Challenger Series Wins
- 2022 Corona Saquarema Pro, Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Special Events
- 2017 Future Classic Lemoore, California, United States
World Qualifying Series
- 2012 Nike Lowers Pro, San Clemente, California, United States
- 2011 Super Surf International, Imbituba, Brazil
- 2011 Sooruz Lacanau Pro, Lacanau, France
- 2011 San Miguel Pro, Zarautz, Basque Country, Spain
- 2009 Maresias Surf International, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Juniors Tour
- 2013 HD World Junior Championship, Florianópolis, Brazil
- 2011 Airwalk Lacanau Pro Junior, Lacanau, France
Backstory
Sponsors
Matt Nabney, Rip Curl, Guaraná Antarctica, Oi, Audi, Samsung Galaxy, Oakley, Gorilla, FCS traction and fins, Vult, Coppertone, Tokoro Surfboards, Monster Energy, Corona (beer)
Surfboards
Medina has been riding surfboards shaped by Johnny Cabianca since 2008.
Quotes by Gabriel Medina
After God and my family, it’s surf. I don’t imagine me not surfing. Surf brings me smile every day
Gabriel Medina
Sometimes you surf well and still don’t win. It happens to everyone. You learn that one big score doesn’t mean much if you don’t have a backup. I guess every rookie learns that as time goes by. I took some big lessons from my losses.
Gabriel Medina
Interesting Facts about Gabriel Medina
- Gabriel Medina began surfing at the age of 9 and won his first national title at 11.
- Medina is known for his innovative approach to surfing. He is one of the few surfers who consistently incorporates high-difficulty maneuvers like backflips into his repertoire, thrilling both judges and audiences.
- Gabriel Medina is also known for his philanthropy. He established the Instituto Gabriel Medina in 2017 in his hometown, aimed at supporting young surfers by providing them with physical, psychological, and educational support.