Adriano De Souza Announces His Retirement

Adriano de Souza is quitting professional surfing. 

That is not a sentence I ever imagined reading, let alone writing. In my mind, ADS would still be banging end sections on the Q at the age of 70, long after I’ve died of acute upper-body hypothermia.

Alas, the World Champ has decided to call it quits at just 33. 

Well, technically 34. ADS plans to use 2021 as his farewell season. If 2021 ends up getting scrubbed, we’re unsure of whether he’ll surf in 2022 or just call it quits. In covid times, uncertainty is the only sure thing. 

So, why’d the most fervent competitor of his generation and a living testament to the powers of self-belief decide to hang up the rashie?

Photo: WSL

“A number of things made me come to this decision,” said De Souza. “For the past 15 years, I gave my life to surfing and was completely dedicated. I lived surfing in a 1000% way. Competing without passion is not the attitude of a champion, and it doesn’t match with the energy of the sport. Now I would like to try some other things, like being part of a special event without so much pressure or go on a surf trip with friends.”

Basically, he wants to be a more present human. Something many of us could stand to benefit from. 

“I want to celebrate these past 15 years – during this time I built relationships around the whole world, with loved ones, and developed a strong connection with family, friends and fans,” De Souza concluded. 

Quitting your life’s work would be an incredibly difficult decision for any person to make. But we’d imagine it becomes significantly easier knowing that a World Title will forever sit next to your name.  

Adriano’s achievements serve as a reminder that diligence and mental fortitude can propel us over seemingly insurmountable hurdles. And for that, we thank him.