Gabriel Medina Net Worth 2026: Salary & Sponsors
Gabriel Medina Net Worth includes earnings from competitions and brand deals. See 2026 details on sponsors, income streams, and achievements.
Apr 25, 20260 Shares22 Views
Gabriel Medina Pinto Ferreira was born on December 22, 1993, in Maresias on the northern coast of São Paulo, Brazil. Maresias a beach community in the municipality of São Sebastião was his hometown during childhood. He was raised primarily by his mother, Simone Medina, and his stepfather Charles “Charlão” Saldanha (an amateur surfer) after his parents’ divorce. His biological father is Claudio de Jesus Ferreira. Gabriel has two siblings: an older brother, Felipe, and a younger sister, Sophia.
Medina grew up in Maresias, where “the sea was part of [his] childhood.” He learned to surf very young beginning at about age eight under the encouragement of his stepfather. Swimming and surfing at Maresias beach formed a natural backdrop to his upbringing.
He attended local public schools in Maresias completing primary education at Escola Professora Edileusa Brasil Soares de Souza (19992007), then finishing secondary studies at Escola Estadual Professora Dulce César Tavares (20082010) in the same neighborhood. His mother Simone and stepfather Charles were actively involved in his schooling; Simone regularly attended school meetings and Charles often arranged for homework when Medina traveled for surf events.
| Fact | Details |
| Full Name | Gabriel Medina Pinto Ferreira |
| Born | Dec 22, 1993 |
| Origin | Maresias, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Career | Pro Surfer (WSL) |
| Net Worth 2026 | Not publicly disclosed |
| Titles | 3× World Champion |
| Olympics | Bronze (2024) |
| Income | Prize money, sponsors |
| Highlight | First Brazilian world champ |
Early Career And Entry Into Professional Surfing
Gabriel Medina grew up in Maresias, a surf town in São Paulo, Brazil, and began riding waves as a child. By age 11 he had won his first major junior contest (the Rip Curl Grom Search), and he went on to dominate youth and regional events.
In 2010, at 16, he won the ISA (International Surfing Association) Under 18 World Junior Championship, marking himself as a rising star. Medina turned professional early: in 2011, at just 17 years old, he joined the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour mid season. He immediately made an impact by winning two Tour events in his rookie year, becoming the youngest Brazilian ever to qualify for the elite CT and establishing himself as a force on tour.
Gabriel Medina’s Breakthrough On The World Surf League Tour
Medina’s upward trajectory continued after his debut. In 2013 he claimed the WSL World Junior Championship, further cementing his reputation. The following year marked a historic breakthrough: in 2014 Medina won the WSL world title, becoming the first Brazilian man to ever claim the sport’s top prize.
This title win was a watershed moment; he dethroned established champions and clinched the championship at the season’s end. His 2014 victory announced Brazil’s arrival in professional surfing and signaled that Medina was among the world’s elite surfers.
Rise To Global Fame And Championship Wins
After 2014 Medina remained at the top of the sport. In 2015 he dominated the Hawaiian season, becoming the first Brazilian to win the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing on Oahu’s North Shore. That year’s success kept him in the world title conversation. Medina’s next world championship came in 2018: he secured his second Tour crown by winning the Billabong Pipe Masters in Hawaii at season’s end, outlasting a field of top competitors.
The Brazilian held the lead in the final event and clinched the title, underscoring his mastery of heavy waves. Medina’s third world title arrived in 2021 under the new Tour format. In San Clemente, California, he won a best of three finale to become champion once again. In that event, he even landed a signature “rodeo” backflip during competition to seal the victory.
Reflecting on the win, Medina said, “I achieved my biggest goal in surfing. I am pretty emotional right now… This day will forever be in my life,” highlighting the importance of that title for him.
Major Career Achievements And World Titles
Over his career Medina has collected an impressive list of titles and accolades. He is a three time WSL World Champion (2014, 2018, 2021), making him one of the few surfers with multiple world crowns in the modern era. He has also won every major stop on the Tour: his event victories total well into the high teens, including signature wins at Teahupoʻo (Tahiti), Pipeline (Hawaii), Jeffrey’s Bay (South Africa), and more.
In total he has over 18 Championship Tour event victories. Medina was also the 2013 WSL World Junior Champion and won the 2015 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. In 2021 he was honored with the ESPY Award for Best Men’s Action Sports Athlete, recognizing his achievements. Internationally, he won gold at the 2024 ISA World Surfing Games, contributing to Brazil’s team world championship and securing extra Olympic qualification spots for his country.
Gabriel Medina’s Olympic Journey And International Performance
Medina has represented Brazil at the Olympic Games twice. He made his Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021), where he advanced to the semifinals but ultimately finished fourth after a close defeat by Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi. In Paris 2024, Medina won the bronze medal in men’s surfing. In Tahiti’s challenging waves, he defeated Peru’s Alonso Correa in the bronze medal match to stand on the podium, with a final heat score of 15.54 to 12.43.
During the Olympic competition, Medina recorded one of the highest single wave scores ever seen: in the quarterfinal round he earned a near perfect 9.90 out of 10 on one wave and backed it up to tally 17.40 points in that heat. He remarked after that heat, “I never imagined we could get waves like this in the Olympics,” underlining how special the conditions were. In the end, the bronze in Paris added an Olympic medal to his resume and further established his international legacy.
Career Highlights And Defining Moments
Medina’s career is marked by numerous signature moments and innovations. He is known for his aerial prowess and was among the first competitors to execute aerial backflips in contests, a move that thrilled judges and audiences alike. For example, during the 2021 world title decider he successfully landed a pioneering “rodeo” backflip en route to victory.
He also broke ground as a competitor on big waves: he was the first goofy foot surfer in over three decades to win the Margaret River Pro in Australia, which he did in 2023. Medina has often raised the bar with high risk, high reward maneuvers. He achieved one of the highest scoring waves in Olympic surfing history (9.90) at Paris 2024, a run that showcased his fearless approach. Collectively, his tournament victories, record setting rides, and contest innovations define his storied career in surfing.
Influence On Modern Surfing And Global Recognition
Gabriel Medina is widely credited with sparking a surfing revolution, especially in Brazil. He became the figurehead of the so called “Brazilian Storm,” a generation of Brazilian surfers who dominated the sport in the mid 2010s. Media profiles note that Medina’s 2014 world title propelled him to super stardom and inspired millions of would be surfers, and that it ignited a surfing revolution in his home country.
His success has dramatically raised the profile of surfing in South America and around the world. Off the water, he has used his platform to give back to the sport: in 2017 Medina founded the Instituto Gabriel Medina, a surf training academy in Maresias.
The institute provides young athletes with professional level coaching, fitness facilities, academic support, and resources reflecting Medina’s commitment to developing future champions. Through his performances, sportsmanship, and mentorship programs, Medina has earned global recognition as one of surfing’s most influential figures.
Current Form, Recent Competitions, And Professional Activities
After claiming the 2021 world title, Medina took a pause from competition in early 2022 to focus on his health and well being. He returned to competitive surfing via the WSL Challenger Series, winning the Corona Saquarema Pro in Brazil in late 2022 to requalify for the Championship Tour.
In 2023 he staged a strong comeback on the CT: in April 2023 he won the Margaret River Pro, securing a nearly perfect 17.50 two wave total in the final (including a 9.50) to defeat Griffin Colapinto. This victory was his first CT win since 2021 and brought his career event win total to 17. Medina described the win as “pretty special” and noted that he felt back in rhythm.
He also posted several other deep finishes on the 2023 Tour. In the 2024 season he continued to perform at a high level, reaching multiple finals and semifinal rounds. He also won the 2024 ISA World Surfing Games, ensuring Brazil’s full complement of Olympic berths. Medina capped 2024 by earning the Olympic bronze medal in Tahiti.
Looking ahead, the World Surf League has confirmed that Medina is entered on the 2026 Championship Tour, where he is expected to continue competing among the world’s best surfers. As of early 2026, he remains active on tour and continues training and competing at the highest level of professional surfing.
Gabriel Medina Net Worth
As of 2026, Gabriel Medina’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed, and no figures have been officially verified by major financial authorities. His income is primarily derived from prize money earned in professional surfing competitions, along with endorsement and sponsorship deals with global brands such as Rip Curl, Corona, Audi, and Monster Energy. In addition, he is a co-founder of Kauai Ventures, a Brazilian venture capital fund that invests in technology and startup projects. Specific details regarding his earnings from competitions and endorsements have not been publicly released.
FAQs
Q1: When Did Gabriel Medina Start Surfing?
Gabriel Medina began surfing at around eight years old in Maresias, Brazil. He was encouraged and coached early on by his stepfather, who was an amateur surfer.
Q2: What Is Gabriel Medina Known For In Surfing Style?
Medina is widely recognized for his advanced aerial maneuvers, including executing backflips in competition. His progressive style has influenced modern competitive surfing standards.
Q3: Has Gabriel Medina Contributed To Surfing Development In Brazil?
Yes, he founded the Instituto Gabriel Medina in 2017. The institute provides training, education, and resources to young athletes aiming to pursue professional surfing.
Q4: How Did Gabriel Medina Perform At The 2024 Olympics?
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Medina won the bronze medal in men’s surfing. He also recorded one of the highest wave scores of the event during the competition.
Q5: What Role Did Gabriel Medina Play In The “Brazilian Storm”?
Medina is considered a leading figure of the “Brazilian Storm,” a group of Brazilian surfers who rose to global prominence in the 2010s. His early world title helped elevate Brazil’s presence in professional surfing.
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