This Is The Brazilian Seal Beach

Shorebreak waves are the surfer’s siren call.

The power of the surf and its proximity to shore are infinitely enticing, but within this beauty lies a shallow truth. Quite literally, that the water is 12 inches deep. 

The Wedge is California’s most famous, if moderately-surfable shorepound. But if we’re talking about truly makable waves that break meters from shore, Seal Beach is the Golden State’s holy grail. 

With its brown hues, typically turbulent surface and leashless culture, the wave above features shades of Seal but with a superior make-rate thanks to its all-star Brazilian cast: Gabriel Medina, Mateus Herdy, The Puso bros, lil Chumbo, etc. 

Here are a few words from the video’s filmer/editor, Mateus Prior:

“This session happened on the north shore of Sao Paulo, right beside Maresias, at a place called Pauba. The locals always surf there when there’s swell. It’s a really hollow wave that breaks 50 meters from the beach—nobody use leashes, and a lot of people get hurt or break their boards. Some people call it Paubox.”