Meet Your 2017 WSL Rookie Of The Year…Runner Up, Frederico Morais

As Frederico Morais lost his Round 2 heat against Kanoa Igarashi at the 2017 Pipeline Masters, it became official: Australia’s Connor O’Leary would be crowned the WSL Rookie of the Year. This was sad for Freddy, who had several huge performances throughout the season including a 2nd at J-Bay, but it certainly wasn’t earth-shattering. Finishing the season at number 15 in the world, Freddy easily qualified for the 2018 CT, but more importantly he showed the international surfing public what he was all about — big turns, big turns, and more big turns. Freddy might not a flashy surfer, but by flexing his competitive acumen in conjunction with effortless power and flow, he was able to take down many of the world’s best when push came to shove. 

The WSL recently produced a mini-doco on Fred (above) that follows his long road to success. Featured heavily in the short are Tiago Pires, Portugal’s first CT competitor, Vasco Ribeiro, Freddy’s longtime friend and sparring partner, and Richard Dog Marsh, his token-Aussie coach. They mainly talk about Fred’s early failures but how he never lost belief in himself and look at him now etc.

While not known for his airs, Freddy keeps an Evil Kenevil-signed napkin in his wetsuit sleeve — just in case. Photo: WSL

What the WSL failed to mention, and what is probably the most interesting thing about Freddy, is that he received a perplexing 4th place in last year’s Surfer Poll Awards… strictly on sex appeal.

While Fred’s lofty placing caught us off-guard initially, after talking with some European friends it became abundantly clear what had happened: Freddy, being the Portuguese heart-throb that he is, indirectly seduced enough European women to vote him above Mick, Julian, Medina, and even Dane Reynolds.

Dane Reynolds… and Medina!

So yeah, life must be good for number 15 in the world. Let’s see what he can deliver in 2018*.

Regal, like a young Martin Potter or a grown-up Caio Ibelli.

*Hopefully not too many children.