Medina Family Build Institute to Train New Generation of Surfers

01/06/2017 - 11h59

Thirty-eight teenagers will start being trained to become professional surfers on the northern coast of São Paulo, in Maresias, on the same waters Gabriel Medina, 23, first started paddling on a surfboard.

The family of the first Brazilian surfing world champion is getting ready to launch the Gabriel Medina Institute with a US$ 940 thousand investment.

The institute will accommodate athletes between the ages of 10 and 16. Nine of the athletes selected are girls.

"Our goal is to turn them into great champions", said Gabriel's mother, Simone Medina, 46, who will preside over the institute, which was authorized to collect US$ 1.15 million via the Sports Incentive Law.

The teens were selected at Maresias Surf Association's 2016 Medina Circuit. The candidates who performed best —including Gabriel's sister, Sophia, 11— were selected for the project.

Among the coaches is Charles, the world champ's stepfather and coach. Gabriel will also make some special appearances.

The selected athletes' mothers will also partake in events - like a cosmetics workshop - which constitute a more social facet of the project.

Of the 38 athletes that were selected, only 12 of them are from Maresias.

Translated by THOMAS S. MATHEWSON

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