Joli
R.I.P. RICARDO
On the morning of Tuesday, January 20, the surfing community awoke to the tragic news that Brazilian pro surfer Ricardo dos Santos had passed away. The 24-year-old was in critical condition at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Brazil after being shot Monday morning during an altercation in Praia da Guarda do Embaú, near Palhoca. Ricardo is remembered as a tuberiding legend that helped reshape public perception of Brazilian surfing in waves of consequence. Born on May 23rd, 1990, Ricardo topped a talented, experienced field to win the 2012 Billabong Pro Tahiti Trials before beating Jordy Smith, Taj Burrow and Kelly Slater in the main event, which earned him the coveted Andy Irons Award for Most Committed Performance. That same year, Ricardo won the Surfline Wave of the Winter, which continued to solidify his name in the professional world of surfing as a young, courageous and talented goofyfoot from Brazil. Kelly Slater posted an image on Instagram of an impromptu paddle out at Pipe on January 20, with this message: “Beautiful morning but I was horrified to realize everyone was paddling out to Pipe to form a circle in remembrance of my friend, #RicardoDosSantos, who passed away in hospital after being shot three
times yesterday in #Brasil. @ricardosantos90 was truly one of the great barrel riders of his short time (myself and a few others learned that the hard way against him at Teahupo’o a couple years back when he won the #AndyIronsAward in the event). He also won the #WaveOfTheWinter in 2012-2013 for a crazy barrel at #Pipeline and was a regular standout in any barreling or heavy conditions around the world. This was truly a senseless loss of life. It unfortunately brings to light the number of murders yearly in Brasil, officially documented at over 50,000 with many thousands more going unreported. Lack of education, poverty, and drugs don’t make for a good mix and make life challenging in this country, one of the most beautiful and scariest places I’ve been. Condolences to Ricardo’s friends and family around the world. Our small community has lost another way too soon. #RIPRDS #WTF #HardToBelieve”. Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to Ricardo’s friends and family, and the entire Brazilian surfing community, for this terrible, senseless tragedy that stole a brilliant young man who was well on his way to becoming one of the greatest Brazilian surfers and most fearless tuberiding heroes of all time.