Today marks the one year anniversary of a tragedy that shook the surfing community.
On January 19, 2015 Ricardo Dos Santos was shot three times by an allegedly drunk off-duty police officer after attempting to stop a group of people from using drugs and playing music near Florianopolis, Brazil. Conflicting reports said he was arguing with the officer over a parking spot. Regardless, Ricardo died the next day in the hospital from blood loss. He was just 24.
The following outpour of sadness for the loss of an amazing human and athlete was overwhelming from Ricardo’s fellow Brazilians and the surf world as a whole. He was lauded as a pure, joyous spirit. And, of course, his talent and thirst for big, harrowing waves was remembered fondly as well. When Adriano de Souza won the Word Title back in December, he dedicated the victory to his lost friend and countryman by slapping the “Strength, Balance, Love” tattoo (which Ricardo also had) on his bicep.
At such a young age, Ricardo was undeniably in the prime of his career. In 2012, he won the trials of the Billabong Pro Tahiti before going on to beat Slater and take home the Andy Irons Award for Most Committed Performance. That same year, he snagged a bomb at Pipe and was awarded the Wave of the Winter. The above video showcases Ricardo’s raw talent, both progressive and fearless, committed and calm. Had the tragedy not happened, I reckon few people would doubt that Ricardo had more accolades to win, more upsets to dish out to the world’s best, and many more massive barrels to be blasted out of. Pra sempre Ricardinho.
