"I had to ditch the drums and go straight..."
The second day of the J-Bay Open, men’s division, is currently underway but surf fans, everywhere, have thoughts fixed on the fate of Italo Ferreira. The Brazilian champion was not having the greatest season of his still young life. Early stumbles had him comfortable above the dreaded cut line, as the tour rolled into Margaret River, but nowhere near challenging for a top five slot. A little fire in Lemoore, though, and it seemed like the effervescent muscleman was back.
Alas, average El Salvador and Brazil showings had him in 11th place coming into J-Bay but surf fans, everywhere, held high hopes for a dominant showing in South Africa and a dominant showing in Tahiti.
Ferreira was forced into the elimination round but looking very good against Maui’s Ian Gentil…until, that is, he took a high line to floater to flats and demolished his right knee.
The World Surf League, increasingly Stalinist, quickly scrubbed the closeup footage and mention of injury from on its quick recap vid leading surf fans, everywhere, to wonder if that right knee has been deposited in the same place as former CEO Erik Logan.
Thankfully, the beloved Brazilian has more clout than Logan and took to social media himself, declaring (in translation from his native Portuguese), “I had to ditch the drums and go straight p/ the hospital after making a mistake and injuring my right knee. Unlike last year I was unable to carry on after being in so much pain. I’ve been working hard to be strong and avoid this kind of injury, but unfortunately there is the risk! Hope it’s nothing major and I can go back as soon as possible, just with other plans! Because i cannot achieve my ultimate goal. Everything has a purpose and if it’s meant to be that way, one way or another in the future I’ll figure it out and God will show me the best way. Thank you for the strength.”
Logan sleeps alone.