This Saturday June 21 to Sunday June 29 (Rio is 7 hours ahead of Hawaii)

• Praia de Itaúna to Host Stop No. 9 of the 2025 Championship Tour Season
• Caity Simmers Eyes Historic Three-Peat Win
• Brazil’s Italo Ferreira Seeks Repeat Victory in Saquarema
• Inaugural Sun, Sound and Soul Music Festival Opens June 19

Renowned for its powerful peaks and electric atmosphere, Praia de Itaúna offers an unmatched combination of performance and passion. Fans can expect long lefts, punchy rights, and a stadium-like setting where every wave is met with thunderous applause from the Saquarema crowd.

But Praia de Itaúna is more than just a surf break, it’s a symbol of Brazil’s deep-rooted surf culture. Surfing in Brazil transcends sport; it is a cultural phenomenon celebrated across generations. From the beaches of the Northeast to the southern coastlines, surf is embedded in daily life, music, art, and identity.

Saquarema, often called the “Maracanã of Surfing,” serves as the spiritual home for the sport in Brazil, drawing fans who arrive by the thousands to the beach, wave flags, and sing in support of their favorite athletes. The event has become a national celebration, showcasing the pride, energy, and unity of a country that has produced legends like Gabriel Medina (BRA), Adriano de Souza (BRA), and current icons such as Italo Ferreira (BRA), Filipe Toledo (BRA) and Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA).

Caity Simmers (USA) aims to clinch her third consecutive victory in Brazil, riding high after wins in both 2023 and 2024. The 19-year-old phenom has quickly established herself as a formidable force on the CT, blending youthful creativity with veteran composure. Her progressive approach and comfort in high-pressure moments have made her a standout this season. A third win at Praia de Itaúna would help cement Simmers’ dominance in 2025 and position her as one of the favorites heading into the Lexus WSL Finals.

“I always love Rio, and I also love going left, which we don’t do that often on the Tour,” said Simmers, who currently sits in 2nd place on the CT rankings and is only 860 points behind Gabriela Bryan (HAW). “Plus, the waves are also very similar to where I grew up, a short beach-break where you’ve got to move fast, so I love it. I’m very excited to go, it’s very colorful, cultural, and a great place.”

Local hero Italo Ferreira, the defending event winner and 2019 World Champion, returns in top form seeking back-to-back wins. Ferreira is widely regarded as one of the most dynamic and fearless competitors on Tour, known for his aerial prowess and explosive style. His connection with the Brazilian crowd is electric, and each ride igniting cheers that resonate throughout the beach. With a deep affinity for Saquarema’s challenging waves, Ferreira aims not only to climb the rankings but to continue inspiring the next generation of Brazilian surfers with every performance.

“I’m so excited to be going back to Brazil. It’s where I won last year and it was really special to do it in front of my Dad and friends,” said Ferreira, who currently sits in fourth place on the CT rankings going into the VIVO Rio Pro. “What’s going to make it even more special is the fact that I have my baby on the way, so it’s really exciting and I’m going to have all my major sponsors there, so it’s going to be a really good event.”

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

On June 19, the city of Saquarema will host the inaugural Sun, Sound & Soul music festival at the Saquarema Airfield, welcoming an audience of up to 15,000 people. Held during some of the most high-energy weeks of the CT in Brazil, the festival merges music and surfing into a single cultural experience. The festival celebrates the surf lifestyle while amplifying the cultural energy of Saquarema through live music. As top surfers compete in the ocean, major Brazilian artists take the stage to bring that same spirit of freedom and intensity to the crowd. The lineup includes acclaimed names such as Filipe Ret, Toni Garrido, Gabi Melim, among others.

For more information, please visit https://sunsoundandsoul.com.br/