Adored by Gabriel Medina, Jamie O'Brien, João Chianca and Ciao Ibelli.
The Brazilian Matheus Marques, better known online as @matt_jmarques, has exploded onto the scene as the ultimate feel-good surf sensation, the 300-pound Brazilian powerhouse proving his enormous size is no limit when it comes to giving hell to waves.
What started as casual beach sessions has snowballed into a viral tsunami, with his jaw-dropping clips of big man shredding racking up millions of views across Instagram Reels, TikTok cross-posts, and X shares.
Five days ago, Matheus Marques, a surfer who is followed by a who’s who of the sport including Gabriel Medina, João Chianca, Ciao Ibelli and that corpulent ol man of the sea Jamie O’Brien, posted a clip that quickly went viral, generating half-a-million likes, nineteen thousand comments, including from Medina, and was watched an astonishing nine million times.
Another clip, this time detailing his wildly under-volumed equipment, Matheu rides a thirty-four litre six-two, was liked seventy thousand times, had a little under three thousand comments and was watched a still impressive one million times.
Matheu Marques follows in the lineage of other great fat surfers, which includes the aforementioned Jamie O’Brien, Australian Noa Deane and Slacker Surf God Dane Reynolds, whose dramatic weight loss journey was showcased here although the pounds were quickly reassembled.
And lest we forget James “Jimbo” Pellegrine, the plus-sized surfer who lost his arm in an auto collision and was charged with two felony counts of terroristic threatening when he “unleashed on first responders transporting him to the hospital.”
Many years go, BeachGrit followed Jimbo’s inspiring journey.
“World Famous Jumbo Surfer” back in news!, Update: Jumbo Surfer officially “insane”!, Fast times: Jimbo’s even wilder ride! and Just in: Jumbo Surfer Walks Free
I’ve never known what it’s like to be legit fat, although at various times have carted around a small but prominent belly, which was once documented by cruel WSL commentator Ronnie Blakey with a candid photo taken while I sat looking out of the window of our Air Fiji jet.
Are you fat? What are the pluses, minuses etc? And is expensive to maintain size etc?
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Sumo wrestlers eat a big meal then have a nap for a few hours. Now that’s a sport !
I saw one armed Jimbo bombing the hill by the Cliffhouse on a skateboard last year… kept walking back up and doing it again, i think he was exercising
230 to 300 here. About 250 at the moment. Used to ride 35 liters even when around 280. Now 40 to 45 liters and the paddling is way easier. Best thing about riding 3 inch plus thick boards is that they hardly ever break.
https://uploads.disquscdn.c… And it is expensive to maintain size. 7 pound duck will last about 2 days…….
John John just announced he’s not coming back for 2026 after all. Bullshit call John
Adored by fellow simpletons. Sounds about right.
Be willing to bet the big man can tear up the dance floor..
Not to derail this discussion, but just dropped that JJF is NOT actually going to compete on the CT this year, fyi
Why are you ruining the fat boy story with such inconsequential news? Bummer.
Italo Frigidaire
Sumo wrestlers, O-linemen know the benefits of low center of gravity thus piling on the belly weight makes you a better surfer
Aonishiki, the Ukrainian war refugee just took down back to back Grand Sumo
low man wins
I’m entwined with a cute halpa many years my junior who head hunted me and she is genuinely sad my lil belly is now a six pack.
Xox
Online famous for being a mediocre fat surfer getting by on undersized equipment. What a time to be alive.
DR- How about an article on the Kerr/Album break up? Feel like there is more to chew there and we only getting nibbles. Seems spicey. Saw Chow Ibelli is riding for Daft now.
Not even the Album guys want to talk about it, but as I understand it, Kerr had equity in Album (not sure if he was in a fiduciary position or not), and he started a competing business aping (and potentially outright copying) the Album templates while he was still an equity owner. He’s no longer an equity owner is all I know, and it sounds like “good riddance” is what the Album guys thought of the whole affair.
Com “Gossip guy’, The Lawyer from California.
Come to Brazil Com! Untill you do, I will be forever on you tail.
by the way, you started with all the ‘favela’ stuff, you favourite word regarding Brazil. Get out of your bubble, Com! You take yourself to seriosously, Cali Boy.
if I ever go to Brazil, it won’t be to waste my time surfing your shitty waves.
You like some gossip…
Just think it could be a nice Segway away from politics, transgenders, sharks, Israel/gaza, overpriced real estate, and fat Brazilian surfers is all.
Daft sounds a bit silly lol. @draftsurf sounds a bit silly too, but expensive at the same time.
I consider the r silent.
Does anyone care, y’think?
I think it’s a an undercover page turner mate.
Don’t forget The heavyweight champion Jr. Moepono. Hawaiian ripped!
Died so young!
As a part-time surfer, full time chonker, seeing my demographic represented over the Dorito crumbs on my tum tum is ball tingling. Sign the man up, Hurluley!
He’s too good, outta our league.
He’d only eat into your profits
Roly poly man and yet another narcissistic Brazilian clowning around for likes.
Mitchell Salazar is actually working with this guy to start a Latino wrap band version of the Fat Boys. ¡Todo lo que Puedas Comer!
Brazilian’s and Latinos. WE speak Portuguese. they speak Spanish. Different vibes.
Wonder how Dane feels
Probably full and satisfied
Probably gets some crazy momentum when paddling. Helps that he’s in juicy waves. I reckon it would be hard on the slopey slop. Ain’t knocking it though!
I did the maths—I should be riding 17-18L if I matched his proportions to
His shortboard (I’m 77kg).
fuck it. Let’s get fat.
weight is good for entry at Pipe
I wondered where Barton Lins had been
has anyone ever seen toofattosurf and Matheu in the same room at the same time?
Love you too bro!
By the way, What’s your take on Com Turren, Strayan?
I think he is a joke.
I’m riding 33lt shortboards at 80kg. He’s a weapon!
5’10” and an athletic/muscular 80kegs here! Will check litres tomorrow!
Xox
“So……you’re telling me there’s a chance?
YEEEEEEAAAAAHHHHH!”