Can you blame him? Photo: WSL
Three-time world champion Gabriel Medina is making business moves in the wave pool space. As he nurses a torn pectoral muscle, he recently announced that he’s joining KSM Realty as a partner – the company behind Brazil’s first wave pool at Praia da Grama.
Aside from Medina’s capital infusion, he’ll also serve as an ambassador to KSM’s newest project Beyond the Club, a private club set to become the biggest Wavegarden pool in the world and the first located in São Paulo proper. The $190-million club has a limited 3,000 memberships for sale.
“I have experience as an athlete,” Medina told the Brazilian news site UOL, when asked what he brings to the table. “I travel a lot and have tested many pools around the world. I’ll follow along with everything and give my opinions.”
Medina made it clear in his Instagram announcement that he won’t be sitting idle during his time away from competition. He’s going to make his money work for him.
“I am now exploring a new area as an entrepreneur, businessman, and builder of projects that align with my worldview,” reads Medina’s photo caption. “2025 is going to be a historic year for me. I thank everyone for their support and trust. And let this new phase begin!”
Part of Medina’s responsibilities with KSM will be business development – to bring wave pools to new cities. According to the UOL story, he is keyed in on Rio de Janeiro and Miami as future locations.
Oscar Segall, the CEO of KSM, commended Medina’s “strategic vision” and said that he will play a “fundamental (role) in cementing Beyond The Club as a global brand.”
Medina told UOL that, despite the new business ventures, he still plans to be back on tour when he recovers. He has plenty left in the tank at 31 years old. But Medina also said he’s been thinking about the future, revealing that his biggest dream is to be a father. Could we see a Medina Jr. versus John John Jr. title race in 2050? We’re here for it.
