Surfing star extends Rip Curl contract

TWO-TIME world surfing champion Gabriel Medina has extended his relationship with Rip Curl for another five years.

The exciting deal adds to a relationship between the two that has already spanned 12 years.

Medina, who hails from Brazil, said he held a lot of respect for well-known surf brand Rip Curl.

“Rip Curl and I, we have been together a long time and we know each other well. We have a lot of respect and support for each other and they are a surfing company all the way through,” Medina said.

The announcement came one day prior to the first event of the World Surf League Championship Tour.

The 2020 World Surfing Tour was cancelled due to COVID-19, with the surfing world pleased to have competition resuming as Medina and fellow world-class surfers are in the midst of the Pipeline Masters, held in Banzai, Hawaii.

Medina has a decorated history with the wave at Pipeline, celebrating his world titles there in both 2014 and 2018, while WSL also notes him as having the highest overall win percentage for Pipeline.

“The waves are going to be good for Pipe and I love it there. I want to get the tour started and surf hard again. I’m ready.”

Adding further anticipation to the year ahead, Medina will be looking to represent his nation at the Tokyo Olympic Games later in 2021. His aim is to win the gold medal and world title in one year, a feat never achieved before.

Rip Curl is the naming sponsor of the iconic surfing event, the Rip Curl Pro, held at Bells Beach. Given the cancellation of the WSL, the event will return in 2021, set to take place in early April.