This Way In: Preview of the 2026 Vivo Rio Pro

Location, Location, Location

Saquarema sits about a hundred kilometers east of Rio de Janeiro, far enough from the city that the ocean still runs the show. The town wraps around a lagoon that drains to the sea at Itaúna beach, and it's at that mouth, where fresh water meets the Atlantic, that we find ourselves for stop No. 6 of the Championship Tour ‘26 season.

The wave itself is tricky. The sand changes from day to day, the currents swing more than the tide, and the notorious backwash can turn your best section into a bogged rail. But when a Southern Ocean groundswell wraps into the bay and finds the right bank on the right tide, it can produce a surprisingly quality A-frame. 

And then there's the crowd. The people on the Saquarema sand are the loudest on tour, and it’s not even close. When a Brazilian posts a big score in front of that wall of noise, it stops feeling like a surf contest and starts feeling like a World Cup stadium. With five Brazilians in the current top six, you might want to bring your ear plugs for this one.

The 2026 Vivo Rio Pro runs June 19–27. Watch it on worldsurfleague.com and cheer on the Monster crew!

Monster Threats

Gabriel Medina: He’s got three world titles and 18 CT wins, but he’s yet to do it at home. That’s a monkey he’s dying to get off his back. 

Ethan Ewing: Had an early exit at the last event and will be looking to reset. Ethan’s powerful approach will be a point of difference in an event that sees most surfers going to the air. 

Yago Dora: Lost a heartbreaker in El Salvador by a single hundredth of a point. He's been quiet about it, which is usually when he's at his most dangerous.

Filipe Toledo: He’s won this contest multiple times and feeds off Brazilian crowd energy like few on tour. We expect this is his launch pad back into the top 10.

Crosby Colapinto: His ability to switch from big power to big progression will serve him well in the ever-changing conditions of Saquarema. 

Seth Moniz: Still chasing his first big result of 2026. A punchy, high-scoring beachbreak gives him the opportunity to rack up some real numbers.

Al Cleland Jr.: Reached the quarterfinals in El Salvador — his best result of the season — and he’ll be carrying that momentum into Brazil.

Bettylou Sakura Johnson: As someone who attacks waves from the first turn and doesn't let up, a high-performance beachbreak like Itaúna is exactly where Bettylou wants to be. 

Three Questions

What's the forecast? A solid start — expect the event to kick off immediately with good surf and workable conditions. Things taper after the first few days, but there's still plenty to run a complete draw. Don't expect a swell-of-the-decade event, but don't expect a struggle either.

Is competing in front of a Brazilian crowd an advantage or a burden? Depends who you ask. The home energy is undeniable — a Brazilian surfer in a big moment in Saquarema is one of the most electric things in the sport. But the expectations are enormous, and the pressure is real. 

Where does the world title race stand? Italo Ferreira leads after his El Salvador final appearance, with Gabriel Medina at No. 2. Guys like Yago, Ethan and Filipe are still very much in the running. We’re not even halfway through the season!