Praia do Futuro receives WSL QS after 26 years with big stars

Summary
Praia do Futuro, in Fortaleza, will once again host, after 26 years, a stage of the WSL Qualifying Series, between December 12 and 14, as part of the Banco do Brasil 2025 Surf Circuit.

Praia do Futuro, in Fortaleza (CE), ends a 26-year fast and will once again host, starting this Friday the 12th, a stage of the Qualifying Series (QS) of the World Surf League (WSL) in 2025. The event, which awards 2,000 points in the South American ranking, honors one of the most traditional surf spots on the northeast coast.

The last league event held at Praia do Futuro took place in 1999, in a stage of the World Qualifying Series (WQS), a division that provided access to the world’s surfing elite.

At the time, the WQS stages ranged from 1 to 6 stars, and the event held at Praia do Futuro was a 3 star event. On this occasion, the champion was Percy ‘Neco’ Paradatz from Santa Catarina, while Marcelo Nunes from Rio Grande do Norte took 2nd place.

Years later, the WQS was renamed QS and gained a regional division, focusing surfers seeking to advance to the CS, a division that leads to the Championship Tour, the world championship.

Despite the absence of more than two decades of WSL events in Praia do Futuro, the peak is one of the most recognized on the northeast coast, with full and manageable ditches, in addition to having a current that disrupts the lives of beginners. Waves rarely exceed 1 meter.

The place, in turn, has had this name since the 1960s, a period in which, always with little movement, it became an object of local development and recognized as a “new neighborhood” of Fortaleza.

It’s also the 18th stop on the Banco do Brasil surf circuit in four years, now coming to the 12th city. Previously it passed through São Sebastião (SP), Garopaba (SC), Natal (RN), Salvador (BA), Saquarema (RJ), Imbituba (SC), Ubatuba (SP), Marechal Deodoro (AL), Praia da Grama (SP), Torres (RS) and Guarapari (ES).

Check out the WSL QS program at Praia do Futuro

The scene will be marked by a special warmth that will bring together big names, not only from surfing, but also from skateboarding and celebrities. On Friday, opening day, guests will introduce themselves amicably for 40 minutes. Among the VIPs in attendance are Bob Burnquist, Rayssa Leal, Filipe Toledo, Ítalo Ferreira, Isaquias Queiroz, Augusto Akio, L7NNON, among others.

In conflicts between professionals, the tendency is for the public to witness an aerial show put on by surfers. Highlights include South American QS leader Wesley Dantas, experienced Jadson André, winner of the final stage at Guarapari-ES in November, and Mateus Herdy.

Cauã Costa, 18th in the ranking and born in Fortaleza, was named ambassador of the stage. “The championship will be great, with lots of attractions (…) it will be a guaranteed surfing spectacle,” he said on social networks.

To encourage not only competition at sea, the event promoted by the WSL will also feature sustainable development actions, in order to provide an educational legacy for the entire local community. The championship will be broadcast live on the website of Earth from Friday the 12th.