Surfers overcome challenges and compete for the 2025 Surf Circuit title

Summary
Israel Junior and Michel Roque overcame challenges such as lack of support and financial difficulties to reach a high level in surfing, and are now competing for the title of the final stage of the Banco do Brasil Surfing Circuit 2025, encouraging young athletes to persevere in their dreams.

How many drinks at sea should a surfer drink to compete and stay at a high level? Between overcoming the lack of support for personal challenges, many athletes are grateful to participate in international events, such as the final stage of the Banco do Brasil 2025 surf circuit, held in Praia do Futuro, Fortaleza (CE).

At Earthathletes Israel Junior and Michel Roque, classified for the “last day” of the stage, valid for the Qualifying Series (QS) of the World Surf League (WSL), gave details of their personal and professional trajectories, while encouraging new generations to focus on surfing.

Israel, for example, advanced to the quarterfinals of the men’s tournament after winning the round against established names in the South American QS rankings, such as Mateus Sena and Daniel Templar. The 28-year-old from Brazilian champions Rio Grande do Norte spoke about the difficulties he faced with a lack of sponsor support early in his career.

“In my base, when I was about 16, 17 years old, the lack of support really stopped me from competing, from participating in big events. But, thank God, I managed to get a sponsorship deal that has been with me for over 20 years and that has made a difference, that has allowed me to compete every time I planned to,” he said.

He reveals that, although he suffered from the lack of sponsorship, he is now reaping the rewards of financial support: “The titles are there, Brazilian champion, South American. But I participated in many amateur championships, even in difficult times, in sacrifice, with my mother taking where she could not go”, he revealed.

Michel, in turn, qualified for “finals day” by winning a round against none other than Weslley Dantas, leader of the South American QS rankings. Now living in Switzerland with his wife, the 41-year-old surfer recalled the start of his career.

“My life has always been one of competition, since the age of 10. I had difficulty living without sponsorship,” he said. “And often when you go to a championship and you lose, you get discouraged. Many times I thought about quitting competition, quitting my life. But surfing is in my blood, we love to surf, to compete. A lot of people from my generation quit much earlier, and here I am, strong and more and more motivated.”

The surfers also gave words of encouragement to young surfers who, by chance, may find themselves in the same situation as at the start of their career.

“It’s about continuing with desire, with strength, always training, respecting your parents, and I think that things will happen naturally, by concluding sponsorships, obtaining results and enjoying the present moment,” Israel says. “My message is that people encourage each other, study hard, dedicate themselves and be sure of what they want in life. If it’s surfing, then really dedicate yourself, practice and things will happen,” adds Michel.

Surfers return to action this Sunday 14, in Praia do Futuro, for the last day of the WSL QS competitions in the capital of Ceará.

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