Extreme retaliation in response to a fading storm.
The dissipation of the Brazilian Storm was as unexpected as it was quiet. Not eight months ago, the South American nation’s absolute dominance of professional surfing at its highest level seemed assured for decades to come. The small wave wizard Filipe Toledo had just won his second title with Lower Trestles to host at least three more “Finals Days” on the non-intimidating cobbled stone. Gabriel Medina was returning to fierce form after various extracurriculars appeared to dull his rage. Italo Ferreira was inhumanly pumped.
Then, like that, the clouds evaporated.
Toledo got so scared of bigger waves that he was forced to take a mental health year. Medina, still fierce, found no grace in the judges’ eyes and is in real jeopardy of the dreaded mid-season cull. Ferreira has overdosed on stoke-ed. The highest ranking Brazilian surfer is Yago Dora at 17.
And as the sun came back out, utterly dominant American surfers are there, flag waving and taunting. Griffin Colapinto number 1, Jake Marshall number 4, Cole Houshmand and Crosby Colapinto numbers 8 and 9 respectively and all to say nothing about Hawaiians John John Florence and Barron Mamiya at numbers 3 and 6.
Australia’s Ethan Ewing, of course, number 2.
Red, white, in any case, and blue.
Well, Brazil appears mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. The country’s left-leaning government has just announced that next year American and Australian surfers will not only be forced to get visas prior to arrival, they will also have to share that they are well-ish to do.
Per The Hill:
Travelers from the U.S., Canada, and Australia will need to obtain a visa before entering the country, beginning April 10, 2025, according to a Brazilian government-authorized website.
To complete the visa application, visitors must provide proof of income for travel by showing their last three checking or savings account statements or their six previous pay stubs.
If you don’t have at least $2,000 in your bank account you’ll need a sponsor — typically a friend or family member — to sign a document called an affidavit of support, accepting financial responsibility for you.
Uncomfortable.
But do you think if, say, regional alternative milk manufacturer Bonsoy does not see continued value in its Ethan Ewing sponsorship, thereby cutting off his income, that Charlie Medina will “sponsor” him?
At what cost?
Also, what will happen to Kade Matson?
The new rules will not be enforced until 2025, leaving this year’s VIVO Rio Pro safe but all hell is expected to break loose next July.
Certainly diplomats are feverishly working to sort out a solution. Maybe having U.S. and Australian surf governing bodies declare that Filipe Toledo is not a giant chicken and can surf Teahupo’o better than anyone if he feels like it?
A small price to pay, to be honest.
More as the story develops.
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I am oilfield trash and work in all the shit holes. You name it and I have probably been there. Yeah, I have had a concurrent passport, helps a lot for visas as you say.
Sometimes service companies (like Halliburton) try to send guys to work on tourist visas but if you go somewhere like Angola or Nigeria you will end up in jail because they are not stupid and guys don’t go there for a holiday (not even sex tourism because you’ll get HIV). They will open up your bag and see hard hat and steel caps and bang, straight to jail you go (this happened regularly and we’d have to pay bribes to get them out). We used to send Aussie guys to the US to work in the GOM and if asked, pretend it was “training” which doesn’t require a greencard.
But pro surfers should have a manager on top of this (though there’s no money in pro surfing anymore I suppose). Even the bloody WSL should have visa details sorted as they are the ones holding the event. I remember reading Tracks years ago and in the late 80s the pros were shoving cash from their winnings down their socks to avoid having to declare it and have it taxed. But I don’t think that would fly anymore.
does dove dishwashing liquid really clean-up oil-soaked birds AND roughnecks?
He’s back!!! Hahaaa. Your exile drew many to call for your freedom to be reinstated. As it should be. The unwashed masses have spoken!
goat is being thrown around irresponsibly…but grilled on a Foreman while seasoned w/ herbs&spices and a long roast will offset the smell…
Goat sushi-slice raw goat thinly. Squeezed lime over it. Sprinkle little cayenne. Grab chopsticks. Dip in shoyu.
Was good. Phillipino guy showed me this as I was cutting up a fresh goat from the mountain. But…I prefer it soaked in vinegar, rinsed. Then marinated in homemade garlic ginger teriyaki with Hawaiian peppers. Grilled. Tastes just like Teri beef.
fairy tale ending?
Chas are you really suggesting that currently, pro surfers just go to Brasil and compete in professional sporting competitions on tourist visas? It’s not the 80s or 90s anymore.
I would be astonished if the CT pros don’t have visas for every country where there’s a comp. QS guys may try to fly by night I suppose, but authorities take a dim view of getting paid without the right permit.
The explanation seems somewhat simple, after making and banking a few million and basically being set for life, (in Brazil), I’m sure the competitive fire dies down a bit, and why hassle the circus if you don’t have to.
Stay on tour for awhile longer and just bank some more minor prize money and milk your contract for another year or two and viola—nice early retirement being set for life, (if invested wisely).
(Thank you Dork, I mean Dirk).
Confirming you’ve got money BEFORE they kidnap you. Smart business model.
Another reason not to go to Brazil
Brazil has a reciprocity visa system. there’s no story here.
In Cali, we need a special license supplied by the Dept of Motorized Vehicles to get on a plane and an ID to drive on the beach. add blanketed insurance coverage for a vehicle and a medicare card in case of accident and/or injury. baseball season keeps spirits up and flowing and it’s always ‘safe at home.’ I can see the ocean from here but can’t tell ya if it’s any good…
I can see the ocean from here but can’t drive across the Golden Gate Bridge because of protestors.
Welcome back from the shadow realm.
Or you could surf Cronkhite, although I would rather die.
I heard there’s some guy out there now that thinks he’s a “local” and is trying to regulate that hell hole.
What a joke.
That is a sad game to play for that wave. Rather give Froggy and big Tim back rubs on the other side of the bay.
Good to see ya back again Sushi man.
Missed those esoteric musings that Negatron will never understand.
And, with all the talent that money can buy, the Dodgers should win the series this year.
Keep working the count.
Jihad Khodr was unavailable for comment.
Another reason for Kelly not to show up.
No more worries about the hoards of broke ass Americans looking to sponge off juicy Brazilian economy and social services!
Nah, it’s just tit-tat for USA’s policy requiring Brazzos to have enough pesos to GTF out when their visas expire.
Our social services are 100x better than America’s. For starters, we have them. lol
Does a having a Yeti cooler count in lieu of $2000?
Or Medina/Italo/Felipe WSL jerseys?
if you fill it with coke