“You are an inspiration to so many not just for the legend you are in and out of the water but how you constantly lead with your heart.”

Pro surfing is in mourning today after it was revealed the Brazilian Caio Ibelli, famous for repeatedly garrotting world champion surfers, mostly John John Florence and Gabriel Media, but also Kelly Slater, had quit the sport aged only thirty-one.

Caio Ibelli made the shock announcement in a post on Instagram.

Where to begin? Hmmmm… Lets talk surfing. Surfing grows, it’s an Olympic sport, Brazilian athletes dominate the world circuit and we’ve become a reference on the international scene, but where is our financial incentive? Being a pro surfer is being able to live off surfing. 31 years old today, I cannot put my future on the line to reinvest in something so uncertain. I’m giving up the CS position for now… you can’t invest more than 100 thousand reais to “try” to live from it again, we have bills and commitments. Guess it’s wrong to pay to work. Finally cycles open, cycles close. Will it be that time? I don’t know if this will be goodbye or see ya later but something has to change! In this time I will reconnect with my essence and find my path

 

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A post shared by Caio Ibelli (@caioibelli)

Tributes from the world’s best surfers but not, pointedly from John John Florence, Gabriel Medina or Kelly Slater, quickly mounted.

Matt McGilvray, “You’ve inspired many and I thank you for inspiring me.”

Brisa Hennessey, “Caio you are an inspiration to so many including me not just for the legend you are in and out of the water but how you constantly lead with your heart. Keep leading with your heart and everything will align.”

Adriano de Souza, “Pure reality, difficult to process all that, I hope that you are in fact happy with this decision.”

Connor O’Leary, “Congrats on all of your achievements mate! Stoked to be able to share some amazing experiences with you.”

Caio Ibelli was last seen on these pages two years ago when he risked unnatural looking results after undergoing gruesome hair transplant surgery in Brazil.

Caio Ibelli had been fighting baldness for at least five or so years, and has finally zigged where others, Slater, Julian Wilson, zagged.

BeachGrit’s connection to Caio Ibelli ran deep.

In early 2021, belli became the focal point of a unique crowdfunding initiative called Project Ibelli, spearheaded by BeachGrit and the Surf Splendor podcast, specifically through their show The Grit!. This campaign, branded as support from “The People™,” aimed to financially back Ibelli after he lost a major sponsor, Oakley, and to challenge the corporate structure of professional surfing.

Ibelli embraced the campaign, embodying the “everyman” grind. Unlike surfers with extensive support teams, he handled much of the logistics himself, resonating with fans who saw him as relatable. His competitive spirit and connection to the community (e.g., being the first pro surfer to follow BeachGrit on Instagram) made him an ideal figurehead.