Pursuing a professional surfing career under the shadow of an older, more successful brother on the CT is no easy task. Sam Pupo, however, is resilient and absolutely thriving. In fact, having an older brother like Miguel – and the rest of his Brazilian non-blood brothers on Tour – has proved to be a great learning experience for the talented up-and-comer.
“I feel like I’m so lucky to have my dad and my brother,” Sammie told the WSL. “I grew up watching them surfing and I think since I was five years old I already had a dream to be on Tour against the best surfers in the world… and, of course, a heat against my brother.”
Last year, Sam had some great results that served as a serious confidence booster. After winning a spot into the QS10,000 in Sao Paulo (the event his brother won), Sammie ended up making the finals of the junior event in Peru and then won the Rip Curl Grom Search at Maresias. And just last month, Sammie took a third-place finish at the Tweed Coast Pro in Australia. If he keeps that ball rolling it won’t be long before we see him surfing alongside his brother on the World Tour.
