Mother Medina and Gabriel. Photo: ASP/Kirstin
After viewing the Final of the 2012 Rip Curl Pro in Portugal, I have to ask the question: in the case of Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina, is it a case of too much too soon?
There is no doubt that the young phenom has all the surfing talent to become a major driving force in professional surfing for many years to come. Gabriel’s above the lip surfing is second to none, with a very aesthetic approach, takeoff, landing (and everything in between) that is becoming the vanguard of modern aerial surfing. Gabriel has also proved himself more than competent in large powerful surf, with his surprisingly strong showing at the near out of control conditions experienced during the 2011 Billabong Pipe Masters, and then also making a strong statement with a solid 2nd place finish, in epic conditions, at this year’s return to Cloudbreak for the Volcom Fiji Pro event.
But with all the pressure of the Brazilian surf base focused squarely on Gabriel’s every ASP result, can he possibly possess the maturity and mental discipline to hold it all together at such a young age ?
The display that Gabriel put on, for all to see, at the conclusion of the 2012 Rip Curl Pro at Peniche was juvenile, to put it nicely, and was clearly an indication of how much of this pressure Gabriel feels. Walking off stage while Julian Wilson was experiencing his much deserved maiden ASP WCT podium celebration was a move that did not go unnoticed, nor did it win Gabriel any points with ASP surf fans. Gabriel’s decision to walk off stage was even more perplexing when you consider the fact that Gabriel’s main sponsor is Rip Curl, the event’s main sponsor.
Brazilian surfers are extremely passionate and competitive by nature, that is great; I feel most ASP fans applaud that fiery passion and unyielding competitiveness. It’s this type of competitiveness that keeps many of us glued to the live webcasts during all hours of the day and night. However, being a competitive and passionate individual should not be a free pass to permitting outbursts of disrespect and unsportsmanlike behavior towards fellow competitors, judges, and/or the ASP fans.
So, for the sake of Gabriel and Professional Surfing, hopefully someone will take a leadership role in managing and mentoring this soft-spoken and very passionate Brazilian surfing superstar.
For his part, Gabriel needs to take ownership and do the proper thing by issuing a formal apology to Julian Wilson, the ASP, his sponsors, and the ASP fans.
