As far back as 2015, Filipe Toledo had progressive, consistent airs in his Championship Tour arsenal.
After an early defeat at the Quiksilver Pro France, airman extraordinaire Filipe Toledo (BRA) went directly Portugal to prepare for the next contest, the Moche Rip Curl Pro. Toledo's prep work -- both in the water and out -- served him well. He bounced back from his poor result to take the win in Peniche (home of the event).
So what was he riding all the way to his win? His shaper, Marcio Zouvi, offered insight on what helped Toledo punt to perfection in Portugal. Toledo is the youngest surfer currently on the Championship Tour and now heads into the final event of the season, the Billabong Pipe Masters, as No. 2 in the world, with a serious shot at claiming his first World Title. But he has serious competition to get there: With Mick Fanning (AUS) in front and Adriano de Souza (BRA) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) right on his heels, Toledo will be looking for another magic carpet to earn a big result at Pipe.
See what Toledo needs to win the World Title.
Toledo's magic board from the Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal. - WSL
Shaper: Marcio Zouvi, Sharp Eye Surfboards
Model: Holy Toledo
Dimensions: 5'9" x 18.25" x 2.25"
Tail round-squash tail
Volume: 23.5L
World Surf League: Europe can offer a huge range of conditions, which calls for a range of boards. What else was in Filipe's quiver when he headed over there? What types of conditions would each board would have been suited for?
Marcio Zouvi: He took two big bags with more than 10 boards total. He had 5'9"s and 5'9.5" squashes and round tails. Holy Toledo models for the average beachbreak conditions and some 5'9.5" round tail OK models for the clean barreling conditions. He also had some step-ups just in case the French beachbreaks got out of control.
Filipe Toledo backed up a 9.23 tube ride with an enormous air for a 9.77 less than three minutes into his Round 4 heat.
WSL: Filipe has dominated in most of the progressive beachbreaks this year, he's won three of them. What do you think he has changed to reach this level this year?
Zouvi: Confidence. He's getting more experience and he's really enjoying every moment on the tour. He's having fun.
Toledo's determination was visible throughout the event. - WSL
WSL: Heading into the Pipe Masters, what types of boards will he be turning to? What makes the dimensions/models good for a wave like Pipe?
Zouvi: He is taking boards for Pipe from 5'10"s to 6'6"s, all are round pins. We've copied his 6'3" from last year and created all the other ones from that design. They are all heavier and have more volume than his regular shortboards. We had a very positive feedback from him on the Semi-Gun model and we'll stick to it.
Read more on Toledo's Magic Boards: Quik Pro Gold Coast, Oi Rio Pro
WSL: He's done well in the beachbreaks, but Pipe is all about the barrels. What advice would you give him on earning a World Title at Pipe?
Zouvi:I think he needs to go to Pipe not with the Title in mind but to surf one of the best waves in the planet with [only] one more guy in the water. Last year he really enjoyed Backdoor [the righthand wave that peels off of Pipeline]. If he can focus on that, we may have a surprise in December.
Don't miss Toledo and the other Title contenders battle for all the glory at the final stop of the season, the Billabong Pipe Masters LIVE on the World Surf League website and the WSL App beginning December 8.
Magic Board: Toledo's Winning Portugal Punter
Daniel Jenks
After an early defeat at the Quiksilver Pro France, airman extraordinaire Filipe Toledo (BRA) went directly Portugal to prepare for the next contest, the Moche Rip Curl Pro. Toledo's prep work -- both in the water and out -- served him well. He bounced back from his poor result to take the win in Peniche (home of the event).
So what was he riding all the way to his win? His shaper, Marcio Zouvi, offered insight on what helped Toledo punt to perfection in Portugal. Toledo is the youngest surfer currently on the Championship Tour and now heads into the final event of the season, the Billabong Pipe Masters, as No. 2 in the world, with a serious shot at claiming his first World Title. But he has serious competition to get there: With Mick Fanning (AUS) in front and Adriano de Souza (BRA) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) right on his heels, Toledo will be looking for another magic carpet to earn a big result at Pipe.
See what Toledo needs to win the World Title.
Shaper: Marcio Zouvi, Sharp Eye Surfboards
Model: Holy Toledo
Dimensions: 5'9" x 18.25" x 2.25"
Tail round-squash tail
Volume: 23.5L
World Surf League: Europe can offer a huge range of conditions, which calls for a range of boards. What else was in Filipe's quiver when he headed over there? What types of conditions would each board would have been suited for?
Marcio Zouvi: He took two big bags with more than 10 boards total. He had 5'9"s and 5'9.5" squashes and round tails. Holy Toledo models for the average beachbreak conditions and some 5'9.5" round tail OK models for the clean barreling conditions. He also had some step-ups just in case the French beachbreaks got out of control.
WSL: Filipe has dominated in most of the progressive beachbreaks this year, he's won three of them. What do you think he has changed to reach this level this year?
Zouvi: Confidence. He's getting more experience and he's really enjoying every moment on the tour. He's having fun.
WSL: Heading into the Pipe Masters, what types of boards will he be turning to? What makes the dimensions/models good for a wave like Pipe?
Zouvi: He is taking boards for Pipe from 5'10"s to 6'6"s, all are round pins. We've copied his 6'3" from last year and created all the other ones from that design. They are all heavier and have more volume than his regular shortboards. We had a very positive feedback from him on the Semi-Gun model and we'll stick to it.
Read more on Toledo's Magic Boards: Quik Pro Gold Coast, Oi Rio Pro
WSL: He's done well in the beachbreaks, but Pipe is all about the barrels. What advice would you give him on earning a World Title at Pipe?
Zouvi:I think he needs to go to Pipe not with the Title in mind but to surf one of the best waves in the planet with [only] one more guy in the water. Last year he really enjoyed Backdoor [the righthand wave that peels off of Pipeline]. If he can focus on that, we may have a surprise in December.
Don't miss Toledo and the other Title contenders battle for all the glory at the final stop of the season, the Billabong Pipe Masters LIVE on the World Surf League website and the WSL App beginning December 8.
Filipe Toledo
Filipe Toledo's unanimous 10-point ride heard around the world at the 2017 Corona Open J-Bay. Rewind and watch one of the greatest waves
Featuring Yago Dora, Filipe Toledo, Caio Ibelli, Ian Gouveia, Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Gabriel Medina, Julian Wilson, Adriano de
Featuring Yago Dora, Griffin Colapinto, Leonardo Fioravanti, Jordy Smith, Filipe Toledo, John John Florence, Kanoa Igarashi, Italo
Featuring Gabriel Medina, John John Florence, Liam O'Brien, Yago Dora, Italo Ferreira, Carissa Moore, Griffin Colapinto, Tatiana
Relive every single 9-point ride surfed at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Bonsoy since 2019. Featuring Gabriel Medina, John John
Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal
Get to know Jon Olazabal, part of the band behind the music for top men's surf contest in Portugal.
Catch the best of the final day of action of the Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal.
The high-flying Brazilian soared his way to the top amid tough conditions, formidable wildcards and a fired-up crowd.
Brett Simpson joins the Dawn Patrol show to discuss defeating Kelly Slater at the Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal, and more.
With another lay day called for the Moche Rip Curl Pro, watch a special Quarterfinals spotlight, plus a look at Nazaré and more.