The Champ

The Champ

The Champ

Italo Ferreira seems to be winning a lot these days. He's the reigning World Champion winning the last full tour pre-COVID in 2019, he's the current leader of the 2021 WCT and he just took out the Rip Curl Newcastle Cup up the coast in super fun waves at Merewhether Beach. From what I hear he's first to the beach every morning with energy levels bubbling over and above the rest of the tour. No doubt he's found his groove.

This morning at North Narrabeen Italo was first of the 'CT guys in the water getting familiar with the place. The waves were tricky with double overhead sets and an unpredictable backwash combining on a treacherously shallow sandbank. Italo's first wave was a bomb, but he opted to straighten out on what turned into gapping cavern of a barrel. He probably made the right decision as the wave pinched but every photographer on the beach was willing him into the guts of it!

The Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic starts on Friday. Let's hope the swell hangs about.


Murray

Italo surveying the sandbank

Italo surveying the sandbank

 
Italo’s first wave…  maaaate, should have pulled in!

Italo’s first wave… maaaate, should have pulled in!

 
Fabio Silvestre getting the shot and a shaka!

Fabio Silvestre getting the shot and a shaka!

 
Italo back-dooring his second wave

Italo back-dooring his second wave

 
The Champ's air game is strong! And, yep, he made this one!

The Champ's air game is strong! And, yep, he made this one!

 
Offshore Fold

Offshore Fold

 
Solid Wall

Solid Wall

 
Italo's first wave... before the backwash

Italo's first wave... before the backwash

 
Looks fun yeah?!

Looks fun yeah?!

 
Inside Insider

Inside Insider

 
Curves

Curves

 
Birds on a Wire - Reckon the Cockatoo could be Italo's spirit animal?

Birds on a Wire - Reckon the Cockatoo could be Italo's spirit animal?

Murray Fraser