“You are an inspiration to so many not just for the
legend you are in and out of the water but how you constantly lead
with your heart.”
Pro surfing is in mourning today after it was revealed
the Brazilian Caio Ibelli, famous for repeatedly garrotting world
champion surfers, mostly John John Florence and Gabriel Media, but
also Kelly Slater, had quit the sport aged only
thirty-one.
Caio Ibelli made the shock announcement in a post on
Instagram.
Where to begin? Hmmmm… Lets talk surfing. Surfing grows,
it’s an Olympic sport, Brazilian athletes dominate the world
circuit and we’ve become a reference on the international scene,
but where is our financial incentive? Being a pro surfer is being
able to live off surfing. 31 years old today, I cannot put my
future on the line to reinvest in something so uncertain. I’m
giving up the CS position for now… you can’t invest more than 100
thousand reais to “try” to live from it again, we have bills and
commitments. Guess it’s wrong to pay to work. Finally cycles open,
cycles close. Will it be that time? I don’t know if this will be
goodbye or see ya later but something has to change! In this time I
will reconnect with my essence and find my path
Tributes from the world’s best surfers but not, pointedly from
John John Florence, Gabriel Medina or Kelly Slater, quickly
mounted.
Matt McGilvray, “You’ve inspired many and I thank you for
inspiring me.”
Brisa Hennessey, “Caio you are an inspiration to so many
including me not just for the legend you are in and out of the
water but how you constantly lead with your heart. Keep leading
with your heart and everything will align.”
Adriano de Souza, “Pure reality, difficult to process all that,
I hope that you are in fact happy with this decision.”
Connor O’Leary, “Congrats on all of your achievements mate!
Stoked to be able to share some amazing experiences with you.”
Caio Ibelli was last seen on these pages two years ago
when he risked unnatural looking
results after undergoing gruesome hair transplant surgery in
Brazil.
Caio Ibelli had been fighting baldness for at least five or so
years, and has finally zigged where others, Slater, Julian Wilson,
zagged.
BeachGrit’s connection to Caio Ibelli ran deep.
In early 2021, belli became the
focal point of a unique crowdfunding initiative called Project
Ibelli, spearheaded by BeachGrit and the Surf Splendor podcast,
specifically through their show The Grit!. This campaign, branded
as support from “The People™,” aimed to financially back Ibelli
after he lost a major sponsor, Oakley, and to challenge the
corporate structure of professional surfing.
Ibelli embraced the campaign,
embodying the “everyman” grind. Unlike surfers with extensive
support teams, he handled much of the logistics himself, resonating
with fans who saw him as relatable. His competitive spirit and
connection to the community (e.g., being the first pro surfer to
follow BeachGrit on Instagram) made him an ideal
figurehead.
