No Contest: Perilous Backwash, The Sparsity Of Brazilian Beachwear, And Rio Vs Saquarema

Currently, we, along with many, have blood in our mouths due to a bitten tongue. 

The Brazilian stop on tour looked, well, like a stop on the World Tour. The wave quality trumped most of rounds across the Aussie leg, and it made for a pleasant viewing experience. 

Although Brazil hosts one of the largest audiences of the World Surf League and more competitors on the CT than any other nation, a few years back the future of the South American stopover was in doubt for a litany of reasons, including wave quality, water quality and the occasional midday shooting.

The Saquarema backwash blew those remaining murmurs, and probs a few knees, out of the water last week.  

So, we welcome you to the first episode of “No Contest” off our familiar Australian dirt. 

Back in 2017, the WSL made the decision to switch from Rio de Janeiro to Saquarema. While the party scene may be less vibrant in the sleepy fishing town of Saquarema, it made for far more enjoyable surfing.

As world tour vet, Ace Buchan, puts it, “Saquarema for the waves and Rio for the party.”

We sat down with Brazil’s second World Champ, and the CT’s most noted stallion, Adriano de Souza, to discuss the “Brazilian storm,” a crew he sits six years ahead of. As well as the roots of his success as a competitor – we’ll call his career a “passion” project. 

We caught up with Lucas ‘Chumbo’ Chianca; winner of the recent Nazaré Challenge, an argument to his countrymen being less than adept in heavy water. Despite his English “not being so good” it’s still significantly better than any of our Portuguese. Lucas played tour guide to his hometown of Saquarema – covering everything from where to fix your dings to where to buy your pastries. And just after we left, Chumbo headed down South to take home Brazil’s big wave event. 

Also in this episode, economic snapshots of the Rio v Saquarema, backwash with a vengeance, Churrasco, cheeks, thighs and what lies beneath the Brazilian stereotypes.

Hit that triangle.