Tropicália

The next day we headed to the nearby village of Lagoinha. I hadn’t known about a small right point break there until Greta pointed it out on the map and suggested that we check it out. The wind was still on the lighter side, but the waves were perfect for foiling. Using the new JP 25 range board, the M-Winger has really made the session for me. The board was taking off super easily even with the light wind and was very responsive and playful in the surf. It was also nice to see my teammates who usually are hardcore windsurfers enjoying wingfoiling and I’d now discovered a completely new and untouched spot in Ceará. This session quickly became one of my favorites of the trip.

Greta Marchegger

Brazil – the sound of this word immediately reminds me of warm bikini sessions, endless palm trees and delicious Caipis. Literally what daydreams are made of. It has been five years since I was in Brazil last and of course I was very excited to see how Ceará and Jeri had developed. On the occasion of our big dealer meeting, it was clear that we would link our MY25 shoot to it. The basic idea of the shoot was to capture and embrace Brazil's tropical vibes in the visual language, and to wrap the whole shoot into a road trip from the south of Ceara all the way up to Jeri.

A good time in Brazil is always guaranteed – on and off the water. If you have the opportunity, you should definitely hire a car to check out some of the more secret spots along the coast. It is actually easier than you might think, and Jeri needs no explanation anyway. Brazil is definitely a country you can’t get enough of, and lucky us, that we could rely on the insights of our own Brazilian sunshine, Vin Martins, during the planning and organization stages… and not just from a language perspective. Muito obrigado again, Vini!

Our next stop was the bay of Icaraizinho where we were received by the team of Club Ventos. Here, the wind picked up as we moved further west, so conditions improved for the windsurfing crowd. In the mornings, when the lighter winds were prevalent, I’d focus on riding the Fly SL and the downwind board, and in the afternoons when the wind got stronger I would ride the new XR board and alternate between the Firefly II and Fly III wings. These days were busy with a lot of rigging and unrigging, and everyone was working together smoothly. Icarai is just a great place for shooting or a vacation, the bay is beautiful, the water is blue, and Club Ventos station is the perfect base from where you can hit the water straight away. I’m a big fan. We kept our energy up with açaí and coconut water, and the vibes remained high.

After Icaraizinho, we continued driving downwind until we reached Preá, the village I now call home. Preá is only a few kilometers from the famous Jericoacoara, and here the wind was really strong. The conditions allowed us to do much bigger moves, and it was a great chance to test out our new gear. I was also enjoying watching the windsurfers ride in these conditions. One session took us to a small lagoon nearby, a place rumored to be home to some very big snakes. Even though it was a bit risky, Philip got in the water with the camera, and we ended up with some insane pictures from that session.

Later in the week, I had to step away from the shoot to join the GWA event in Jericoacoara, where I competed alongside my wingfoil teammates, Kylie Belloeuvre and Ricky Zorzi. This competition was part of the Freestyle and FreeFly-Slalom World Tour. Competing in Jericoacoara was a different kind of challenge to me, because I would be riding in front of many of my closest friends, and granted, I had somewhat a “home court” advantage… While I was competing, the rest of the team headed to famous Guriú, where they found great windsurf freestyle conditions, and just a beautiful backdrop for the shoot. Due to the competition schedule, Ricky managed to go to this one and delivered some great wing action shots as he cruised by the “balsas” – boats that help cars cross the Guriú rivermouth. It looked super fun, and I must admit I got a bit jealous, but enjoyed hearing about the good times and seeing some of the shots later.

Ricky Zorzi

Our road trip in Brazil, from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara, passing through spots like Cumbuco, Icaraizinho, Preá, Guriu, was an incredible experience, filled with all the water sports we love. We rode in perfect conditions, with steady winds pushing our skills to the limit. Each day, we explored new spots, from flat water to waves, balancing moments of pure adrenaline with the peaceful feeling of being in Brazil with friends and teammates. Brazil is a true paradise for water sports, where every spot offers a magical connection with nature and the country’s rich traditions.

At the end of the week, everyone regrouped in Jeri. We spent the final days finishing up our shoot and preparing for the NP/JP dealer meeting at Club Ventos. Jericoacoara, with its strong winds, beautiful beaches, and friendly local vibe, was the perfect backdrop to close out the trip. It was also a great time to relax and enjoy the local food, culture, and party with all my fellow wind sports enthusiasts. Looking back, this trip was more than just testing new equipment or capturing the perfect shot. It was about sharing a bit of Brazil with people who appreciate these sports as much as I do. I got to show the team some of the things that make my country special, the mix of natural beauty, the great conditions and the genuine warmth of the local people.

Every stop along the way had its own character, be that Paracuru’s quiet dunes, Lagoinha’s hidden foiling spot, Icaraizinho’s unique bay, and Preá’s strong gusts all added unique chapters to our adventure. I returned from the trip feeling even prouder of Brazil, if that is even possible. This journey reminded me why I fell in love with wind sports. It was a straightforward adventure on familiar roads, with some unexpected turns and plenty of time on the water. And as I continue to ride, I know these experiences will always inspire me to keep exploring and sharing the best of what Brazil has to offer.