We at IBC are super stoked to bring you this exclusive interview with one of the best athletes on the world tour.
This is a rider who’s been at the top of the game for years, and lately, he’s been battling tooth and nail for the title right down to the wire.
Seriously, he’s one of the biggest names in the sport, not just because his competitive level is through the roof, but because his awesome personality stands out above everything else—a true role model, period.
We hope this interview will help you get the full scoop on this incredible rider: his start, the tough spots, his goals, and all the cool stories.
Please welcome the man from Brazil:
GABRIEL BRAGA!
- What was your childhood in Brazil like?
My childhood was awesome, especially in Stella Maris, a beach neighborhood in Salvador, Bahia. No internet or cell phones back then, so I spent all my time playing with my friends. We’d play soccer, skateboard, and ride our bikes—just living it up. My parents loved the beach, and we were always there on the weekends. We also had this thing where we’d travel inland to the towns where my folks grew up in Bahia. Those experiences in Stella Maris and the towns inland were super memorable and packed with great memories.
- At what age did you start bodyboarding, and what motivated you to get into it?
I got into bodyboarding as a kid because I just had this super strong connection to the ocean. My parents always took me to the beach, and that’s where my cousin, who was already surfing, introduced me to the whole surf scene. Even with his influence, I chose bodyboarding as my path.
In 2006, a bunch of friends in the neighborhood also started bodyboarding, and that collective energy stoked me out even more. That same year, I got my first board for my birthday—a used one that belonged to a pro bodyboarder from the area. Having a “real” board and being part of a crew that was passionate about the sport made all the difference for me.
Over time, I just got more and more into it. In 2008, I took my first shot at competitions, and the next year, I snagged the U-16 Brazilian runner-up title at a contest in Salvador. Up until then, I was treating the whole thing like a game, but that experience changed my whole outlook. Feeling the competition rush and getting on the podium woke something up in me—a real drive to keep getting better at the sport.
- You’ve been in the world top 16 for several years, and in the last two you’ve been fighting for the world title. What has that journey been like, and what are your expectations for the future?
Lately, I’ve been consistently in the world’s Top 16 bodyboarders, and for the last two seasons, I’ve been totally in the mix for the World Title. But what a lot of people don’t know is that at the end of 2023, I was seriously thinking about calling it quits on competing. The results weren’t coming like I hoped, and even though I was Top 16, I just didn’t have the financial stability I needed to stay on the tour safely.
Before the first contest of 2024 in Morocco, the one I ended up winning, I almost didn’t even go. The lack of funds made competing pretty much impossible. I only managed to fly out because I got some support from my city’s government, which let me buy the ticket and keep the faith. Deciding to compete, even with all that uncertainty, was a total leap of faith, and that choice ended up changing everything. The win in Morocco was a total game-changer; it reignited my confidence and started a whole new chapter in my career.
Even now, the path on the tour is still tough. The financial structure in the sport is limited, and the recognition for bodyboarding is still way below the level of dedication athletes put in—not just in Brazil, but everywhere. Still, these obstacles are just part of my journey, and they only make me more determined.
I’ve proven to myself that I belong at the top of this sport. And now, more than ever, my goal is clear: to be World Champion. I want to keep raising my level, competing with the best, and helping Brazilian bodyboarding get more space, visibility, and respect on the global stage.
- What have been your best and worst moments while surfing?
One of the best moments in my career, hands down, was my first big win. Like I said, that was a pivotal time for me because I was so close to stopping competing. That victory didn’t just bring me a title; it gave me new confidence, a new direction, and the certainty that I still had a ton to achieve in the sport.
On the flip side, one of the worst moments happened in August 2021. I was surfing over a super shallow reef on the north coast of Bahia, right before the World Tour stop in Portugal. I had a heavy wipeout and hit the reef hard—on my face, arm, and especially my hand. I ended up needing nine stitches in one finger and almost lost it. In that moment, I was genuinely scared. It was a reminder of how unpredictable and dangerous the ocean can be, even for someone who’s spent their whole life in the water.
- You’re one of the most powerful athletes on the tour, especially because of your radical style and confidence in every maneuver. How do you train—physically and mentally—to perform at your current level?
After the last event this year, I completely changed up my training style. Over the past two years, I felt like something was missing in my prep, and that made me rethink everything. Now I train every day (2 to 3 sessions), mixing physical conditioning, water time, and bodyboarding-specific work.
But the biggest transformation was on the mental side. Like a lot of athletes (even if few talk about it), I’ve had my ups and downs. Working with therapy has really helped me stay focused, confident, and resilient. When your head is right, your surfing is sharper, decisions come quicker, and you can push your limits with more freedom. This balance between physical and mental training is what keeps my performance level at its highest.
- This year at the Gran Canaria Frontón King, we saw an amazing sense of unity among the Brazilian riders. What was it like for you when Uri Valadão was crowned world champion?
For me, that was a really special moment. The unity among the Brazilians didn’t just happen this year; it’s something we’ve built over many years on the world tour. And seeing Uri crowned World Champion got all of us emotional.
Uri isn’t just a role model for Brazilian bodyboarding; he’s an athlete who’s been inspiring my generation for a long time. Even when we’re competing against each other, there are moments that go way beyond the results. His win felt like a victory for all of Brazil and showed the strength and connection we have in the sport.
Being there to support and celebrate that title was unforgettable.
- Do you have any other hobbies?
Outside of bodyboarding, I love to stay active. I like to bike, run, and swim, and now I’m thinking about getting into boxing; I’ve always wanted to try a martial art. These activities help me stay balanced, improve my fitness, and keep my mind clear.
- Who are your idols or main inspirations within bodyboarding?
My biggest heroes have always been my parents, who shaped the person and the athlete I am today.
Within bodyboarding, I get inspiration from a lot of athletes who’ve made an impact on my journey: Guilherme Tâmega, Uri Valadão, Pierre Louis Costes, Amaury Lavernhe, Lucas Nogueira, Éder Luciano, Álvaro Padrón, Fábio Pinheiro, and Bernardo Puertas. I still watch a ton of videos of all of them before I go surf. Each one influenced my surfing in different ways and helped raise the level of our sport.
- What are your favorite waves in the world, and which waves would you love to surf that you haven’t had the chance to yet?
Two of my favorite waves on the World Tour are El Frontón and Anchor Point—they’re definitely among the ones I like the most on tour.
And for the waves I still want to check out, Pipeline in Hawaii and Puerto Escondido in Mexico are at the top of my list. They’re iconic, powerful waves that are perfect for bodyboarding.
- Send a message to people who want to start bodyboarding or improve in this beautiful sport.
For anyone who wants to start bodyboarding or get better at this beautiful sport, my advice is simple: be patient, be consistent, and enjoy every minute in the ocean. Getting better doesn’t happen overnight, but every session teaches you something.
Surround yourself with people who inspire you, study the athletes you admire, and don’t be afraid to test your limits. Most importantly: respect the ocean and let it guide your progress. When you connect with the water and stay focused on your goals, your surfing will naturally grow.
Bodyboarding has given me some of the best times of my life, and I hope it brings you the same joy and purpose.
- When did you decide to pursue bodyboarding professionally?
I decided to go pro in bodyboarding in 2019, when I got on the podium at a World Tour event for the first time. It was a time of a lot of uncertainty in my life. I was in my final year of college, about to get my degree in Environmental Engineering, working as a ride-share driver, and dedicating myself to the sport whenever I could. I genuinely didn’t know which way to go.
I remember praying a lot to God to show me a direction—if I should follow the path of an engineer or an athlete. And then came the podium finish in Itacoatiara. That moment changed everything. From then on, I committed 100% to the sport.
Today, I have a degree in engineering, but I’m still 100% an athlete.
- Here’s a space for you to thank, mention, or expand on anything you’d like.
First, I want to thank everyone who follows my journey and supports bodyboarding. This sport has shaped my life and connected me with amazing people all over the world. I’m also deeply grateful to my family; they’ve always been my foundation, supporting me through every moment, from the toughest challenges to the biggest wins.
Bodyboarding is a sport full of passion, but not every athlete always gets the same level of visibility or recognition, even when we’re performing at the same level. That’s why opportunities like this, to share my story and my path, mean a lot to me. They let people get to know who we are beyond the results.
If there’s one message I want to leave, it’s this: trust your process. Getting better takes time, and every step (even the hard ones) helps shape who you become. Stay humble, stay disciplined, be surrounded by people who lift you up, and let your passion guide you. The ocean teaches us that every wave is a new opportunity to start fresh.
Thanks for the chance to share a piece of my journey. I still have a lot of dreams ahead, and I hope to keep inspiring others and representing my country with pride.
Instagram: @gabrielbrags