The father figure is important for any child. In surfing, many fathers pass their love for the ocean onto their son or daughter and somehow these men gave to their kids an exceptional passion and ability. Here are four of successful father/son tandems. These particular dads have sons on the WSL’s World Tour today and their influence can be tied to the success of each surfer.
Miguel and Wagner Pupo (Currently ranked 23rd on the World Tour)
Photo: Red Bull
Miguel learned how to surf with a board made by his father. Wagner is a shaper by trade who traveled with Miguel for years, sharing the same hotels, sleeping, eating and training together. At times Miguel travels without his dad because Wagner is doing the same with his youngest son, Samuel Pupo. Meanwhile, Samuel is working his way towards an awesome career of his own.
Kolohe and Dino Andino (Current 10th on the World Tour)
Photo: Ryan Miller/Red Bull Content Pool
Kolohe grew up watching his pro surfer father while surfing Southern California’s best waves, like Lower Trestles. Dino was his coach for years, making Kolohe one of surfing’s most high profile prodigees before making it onto the Tour.
Filipe Toledo and Ricardo Toledo (Currently 11th on the World Tour)
Filipe was on fire last year, winning the most contests of any other surfer on tour. Photo: WSL
Ricardo and Filipe are inseparable. Ricardo is Filipe’s coach and hero, and everybody can see Ricardo’s energy when Filipe is in the water.
Gabriel Medina and Charlao Medina (Currently 2nd on the World Tour)
Photo: ASP/ Kirstin Scholtz
Charlao taught his stepson Gabriel to surf and today acts as a coach. I asked Gabriel how important it was to have his dad next to him in the Tour and he replied, “My dad? He was always important. He helps me concentrate, he trains me, he talks about my hit, he gives me strength. He is crucial in my life. I don’t know if I could be here today without him. I’m more calm with him around and he does everything for me to focus just on surfing during a competition. This is really good because I can focus on my job.”
Now Medina’s youngest sister Sofia is following her father’s and brother’s footsteps in surfing.
One thing I know, the love of these fathers made a generation of amazing surfers.
