Fab! A Silver Tongued Conversation With Ian Gouveia’s Dad

When he surfed on tour throughout the 90s Fabio Gouveia was known as the Brazilian Curren. One of the original trailblazers for Brazilian surfing, the smooth and powerful lines of the dimunitive Fabio (he stood at 5’3”) netted a 1988 World Amateur Title, four WCTs and the WQS Title in a career spanning 20 years. Now in his mid 40s Fabio continues to surf, shape and inspire an entirely new generation of Brazilian champions.

Motivation – My main motivation over the past few years has been to get myself into a position where I can surf into my 80s. It is a beautiful life to live. As surfers we experience such wonderful things. Our relationship with nature is so special. I want that to continue for the rest of my life.

Fitness – If it comes down to a choice between going to the gym or going surfing, always choose surfing. Being surf fit is the most important fitness. It is number one.

Ripping in your 40s – When I see groms surfing really nice that motivates me to keep my surfing fresh too. I don’t see age as a barrier to stop improving your surfing. You should always be looking for new experiences.

Being the first Brazilian to have an impact on tour – Brazil had some good surfers before myself and Flavio Padaratz were on tour but we were the first to have the financial opportunities that allowed us to compete full time. We were the first major influence for the next generation of Brazilian competitors. When Flavio and I went on tour we were the only Brazilians. By about 1994 there were 11 of us on tour.

Career – My best year on tour was in 92. Unfortunately that was the same year Kelly arrived and won his first World Title. I finished fifth in the world but lost twice to Kelly that year. If he wasn’t around I would have done better (laughs).

Work and family – I was a young father. I was married and had my first child by the time I was 19. I had my second and third children shortly after. I learned from my father that life is family and I always wanted them by my side. They were hard times. We spent a lot of money travelling, money we could have spent on land and houses. But I always enjoyed it because I did not want to miss out on any of their lives. I wanted Daddy to be there for them. And my family gave me power to surf harder. I always went very bad when they were not with me because I missed them too much.

The father coach – My second son Ian is on the WQS. He’s a very good surfer but I was never interested in being his coach. I wanted to leave him alone and allow him to discover his own life on his own terms. What’s great is he comes to me and talks surfing when he wants to. I have nothing against those guys who take on a bigger role with their children’s careers, they know what they are doing, but I am always careful to let my son have his own experiences with surfing.

Brazilian pro surfers – I think the image of Brazilian pro surfers is changing. My generation were always looking up to the guys from Australia, California and Hawaii, but right now with Gabriel and Miguel and Filipe, for the first time surfers from overseas are starting to look at the way we surf. There was very little international press support for Brazilian surfing but I don’t have any bad vibes about it. That’s in the past. Gabriel is changing all that. It’s really nice to open a magazine from Australia or America and see Brazilians in there.

The possibility of a Brazilian World Champ – If not this year Brazil will have a World Champion within three years.

The perception of Brazilian surfers in general – I think there is far too much generalisation about travelling Brazilian surfers. Every country has its people who are snaking and greedy in the surf. It’s not just Brazil.

Laws of the line-up – I like to surf with my friends. I like to share the waves. I’m not a guy who wants everything that breaks. Be patient in the water. We need more peace than any other sport. We don’t help each other enough. Surfing is a beautiful sport. Everybody should respect each other and be happy.