I LEARNED TO
SURF ON A
SEVEN DOLLAR
BOARD
A
long the way de Souza ended the brave
campaign of three-time world champion Mick
Fanning, who was looking to add an Australian
record-equalling fourth title to his collection,
on the back of the most difficult year of his life.
Sadly for fans Down Under, Fanning’s run came
to a halt at the hands of reigning world champ
Gabriel Medina in the quarter-finals. De Souza
then needed to beat Hawaiian wildcard Mason Ho
to seal the crown, and did so in ruthless fashion.
Proudly telling the world he learned to surf
on a seven-dollar board that his brother bought
for him, and that his whole aim in life was to buy
his mum a house, de Souza can rightfully be very
proud of all that he has achieved both in and out
of the water over the course of his 28 years.
Q&A with adriano de souza