Gabriel Medina takes a break from surfing after 'difficult time'

Three-time world surfing champion Gabriel Medina has withdrawn from the Billabong Pro Pipeline in Hawaii and says he will take a break from surfing.

"The past few months have been a difficult time for me personally and it has taken a toll," the Brazilian star wrote on Instagram.

"As such, I've decided to withdraw from the start of the 2022 WSL Championship Tour.

"I had every intention of competing for the full season, had made all the preparations medically (I took my COVID vaccination during my holidays) and mentally and physically, but I'm not in a place where I believe I can perform against the world's best surfers right now and I need to focus on my well-being.

"I don't know how long it will take, but I aim to return to the Championship Tour as soon as I am ready.

"I very much appreciate everyone's ongoing love and support. I'll be back when I am able."

World Surf League CEO Erik Logan said the organisation supported Medina's decision to take a break.

"The health and safety of our athletes is of the utmost importance, and we fully support Gabriel’s decision to prioritise his well-being,” Logan said.

"We want to put the world’s best surfers in front of our fans to start the season, but we certainly respect his decision."

Warm up in the inside corner

Warm up in the inside corner from Pedro Ingber

Gabriel Medina, Keanu Asing, Ryuki Waida e Rio Waida at a warm up before the WSL event in Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia.

Photo Of The Day #83

Gabriel Medina big air. | Photo: Brent Bielmann

La Belle Hossegor

La Belle Hossegor from Darkline productions

La Graviere (Hossegor) Warm Ups
John John Florence
Kolohe Andino
Owen Wright
Jordy Smith
Gabriel Medina
Joel Parkinson
Ross Williams
Edited: Darkline Productions (Oscar Valencia)
Music: Herve Vilard - Capri C´est Fini

Gabriel Medina | Made For Waves

Gabriel Medina | Made For Waves | Skuff TV Surf from Skuff TV

Gabriel Medina is a heavyweight.
From full rotation flips to huge Tahitian tubes, he continually tests the limits of what’s possible in the surf.

Iṇaippu - Trailer

Iṇaippu - Trailer from Loic Wirth
This is the trailer for Iṇaippu, an independent film I've been filming for the past few years.

Inaippu (இணைப்பு) breaths for reconnection. As much as we believe we can go far away from nature, the ever so simple things in life will always bring our hearts back to where we're really from, if we're open to it.

I believe surfing can work as a bridge for that reconnection....A group of surfers/friends who share those same feelings joined into travels to discover new waves and try to translate those ideas into film. Those surfers are:

Alex Chacon
Yago Dora
Ricardo dos Santos
Marco Giorgi
Jean da Silva
Fernando Fanta
Junior Faria
Bruno Santos
Gabriel Medina
Cristian & Gabriel Muller
& Peter Devries

Directed by Loïc Wirth
Filmed by: Loïc Wirth
Birdy Pilot: Vernon Deck
Additional shot (1:29 to 1:32): Caio Faria
Edited and Written by Loïc Wirth
Final quote from chinese philosopher Zhuang Zhu

Soundtrack, in order of appearence:

Boy 1904, by Jónsi & Alex, from the Album Riceboy Sleeps
Varúð, by Sigur Rós, from the album Valtari
Hengilás, by Jónsi, from the album Go

Soundtrack courtesy of Warner Music Brasil Ltda., uma empresa Warner Music Group & Universal Music Publishing / MGB Brasil

Thank you, sincerely

Samsung Galaxy Surfboard and Gabriel Medina

The Galaxy surfboard is a board that has a Samsung smartphone as a technological heart, allowing the world champion Gabriel Medina receive technical instructions in real time during training. Helping to improve their performance to the maximum. And to motivate you even more, the board can also receive messages of encouragement from the crowd by hashtag #GOMEDINA.

Gabriel Medina | Like Wearing Nothing - Rip Curl

When you are on The Search and you roll up to an empty lineup, everyone knows it's game on. The Mirage Game is the signature board short chosen by the 2014 WSL World Champ Gabriel Medina.

Gabriel Medina

Photo: Corey Wilson

Gabriel Medina using creativity.

Gabriel Medina on the GoldCoast, Australia

Gabriel Medina

Gabriel Medina

Gabriel Medina | Photo Corey Wilson

Medina in prayer

Gabriel Medina Jbay Open 2014 Photo: Sacha Specker 

CLOSE TO THE END

CLOSE TO THE END from Marcos Nofuentes.

Here is a compilation of Wiggolly Dantas pictures in collaboration with Gabriel Medina filmed in French and Portuguese lands. Enjoy the spectacle of two Brazilians in Europe.

Aqui fica uma compilação de imagens de Wiggolly Dantas com a colaboração de Gabriel Medina filmada em terras francesas e Portuguesas. Disfrutem do espectáculo dos dois brasileiros na europa.

Gabriel Medina's father complies with promise

Gabriel Medina's father complies with promise.

Medina`s said "he promised me if i win he jumped... And here he goes!"

French Pipes | QuikPro France

Gabriel Medina, Adriano de Souza, John John Florence, Brett Simpson, Kelly Slater, Julian Wilson, Michel Bourez, Dane Reynolds and Mick Fanning.

Video from CUMULUS TV