Former world #22 reported feeling "weird" before collapsing…
The Brazilian powerhouse, and former WCT surfer, Leonardo Neves has died after suffering a suspected stroke during a contest in Saquarema, where he lived and where he operated a surf coaching biz.
Neves, who was forty, reported feeling “weird” and on a video recorded moments earlier he appeared breathless. After riding a left in the biggish, onshore conditions in his semi-final, Neves paddled out the back, sat up on his board and collapsed.
Efforts to revive him failed.
Neves was a two-time Brazilian champ whose two years on the WCT in 2007 and 2008 yielded a couple of fifths at the Hang Loose Catarina Pro, a ninth at Snapper, Bells and at Mundaka (remember that joint?), his highest ranking twenty-second in 2007.
In 2007 at the World Cup of Surfing, and riding a seven-four that he could spin into reverse even at big Sunset, Leo lost to Makua Rothman on a buzzer beater, still one of the best finishes of that contest.
Neves grew up in a crummy inland suburb called Bras de Bina, the Brazilian equivalent of living in California’s Valley or Sydney’s western suburbs, and rode a bus for hours every day to chase his surfing dream.
Jadson Andre wrote, “Sometimes we can’t understand why we lost a brother today! Leo, I hope you are in a better place and can rest in peace! Thank you for the teachings. Strength for friends and family! I will pray a lot for you.”
https://youtu.be/xy8YQg6RUW…
Had a stroke due to in internal ruptured carotid artery when surfing my local break. Was fine for weeks, just an ache down the back of my neck then collapsed in my bathroom and had to learn to walk again! Back in the water within 2 weeks but my pop up was awful although 8 weeks later I’m surfing like a beginner/early inter and can only ride a longboard but getting better all the time. I expect to be charging and be back to work in the spring. Physio still hurts and my main focus has been getting back in the water above everything, luckily my kids are grown up and my wife understands how much this means to me.
true words bud
Rest in peace my brother!! Much love to Leo’s close friends and family! xx
great guy, it will be missed
VIVA Léo!!!
https://youtu.be/YjmigrWddAE
Saquerama?
Nossa!!!!
Yes Bex
And look, it’s kinda of normal those conditions at Saquarema.
At Itaúna with the Left point (with a good right hand there too, although the bumps in certains periods…), Barrinha like a backdoor, and Vila Beach (more hollow, and maybe, powerful than Itaúna)
Always being a fight to put Saquarema again in the main circuit, the CT, after 2000…
In all years as a contest in the QS, Saquarema offered good to excellent conditions, and I remember two in classic conditions, one of them with Gabby…
All Saquarema, like others spots in the CT, need, is a good and very well located season, a good window to run the contest, and a good view and will from the surf commissioners
https://youtu.be/CYeE2yp61k8
sequelama…
Poor chap. Being snuffed by your dodgy ticker would suck. Does make me wonder some hangovers. Bloke at work who had a heart attack (sausage roll and sauce for morning tea for 20 years) said it was the most painful, horrifying experience he’s lived through. Obviously.
Leo had a great, powerful style. I remember that contest at Sunset that Makua won. It was the day Peter Davi passed away at Ghost Tree Makua mentioned it on the podium.
R.I.P. Leo.
He lived his dreams and died his dream. We should all be so lucky. Rest in piece, brother.
Fuck eh, RIP Leonardo, great bloke.
Parabens Ico!
Valeu o Leo!!
RIP mate. That’s shit.
cocaine is a hell of a drug