Watch: Italo Ferreira // Versatility

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Reels

It's not quite three minutes long, but there's an awful lot going on in this clip of Italo.

Most obvious is the high calibre surfing, a mash up of exuberance and technical virtuosity ending in one of the largest unassisted airs I've seen (first wave), and towards the end a string of power carving 360s - the move he unveiled last year but is completeing with a measure of consistency.

What else?

It's the second vid he's made using his girlfriend, musician Mari Azevedo, as assistant director and editor. Both vids are cleaner than the usual 'straight to video' fare, including some degree of editing, continuity on the title frames, and an attempt to document where Italo is at.

It's brand building by any other name, which is fair enough, he's the world champion after all, he should be on parade, yet circumstances have kept him hidden.

Comments

icandig's picture
icandig's picture
icandig Monday, 11 May 2020 at 12:34pm

He rips, no doubt. I'll have to re-watch with different music though. For me, this will always be Mick's song.

OHBILLY's picture
OHBILLY's picture
OHBILLY Monday, 11 May 2020 at 5:15pm

That was the exact thing I thought when the clip started playing....
Definitely reserved for Mick.

shoredump's picture
shoredump's picture
shoredump Tuesday, 12 May 2020 at 3:14pm

I think it was a deliberate nod to Mick

memlasurf's picture
memlasurf's picture
memlasurf Monday, 11 May 2020 at 3:20pm

Yes you can see how is frenetic style developed on those rubbish waves; get as much in before it closes out. Love to see him when he has more time to stitch together moves on some high quality waves and is not quite so desperate. In another life and if born in Eastern Europe he would be a gymnast with his physic and balance, man is an extraordinary surfer. His height (5'6" - same as me but about 10 kilo heavier), low centre of gravity and strength are probably the perfect physic to be a surfer - strong and compact in the TC mould. Finally the little guys have reemerged after quite a few taller fellas.

Bnkref's picture
Bnkref's picture
Bnkref Monday, 11 May 2020 at 5:27pm

No leggie. He'll fit in at Byron.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Monday, 11 May 2020 at 5:53pm

Look away Gromz, the Champ cut the rip chord & is breaking free.
Just how serious is this fad...is the WSL champ really gonna go off the rails.

Reckon the Champ would surf even better again without the stickerz.

Give yer inner Sea Serpent a bash...surfjustsurf...soundz a bit riotous tbb...Really!

frog's picture
frog's picture
frog Monday, 11 May 2020 at 6:56pm

Looks like hard work. Fun? Not so much.

tango's picture
tango's picture
tango Monday, 11 May 2020 at 10:57pm

Must be getting old.

Technically amazing but I'd rather watch someone with style go straight.

wbat's picture
wbat's picture
wbat Tuesday, 12 May 2020 at 6:22am

Kind of what I thought too.

Pops's picture
Pops's picture
Pops Tuesday, 12 May 2020 at 2:40pm

For me the lack of wave quality ruins it. The same surfing in perfect surf - maybe paced a little more - would be so much more watchable!

frog's picture
frog's picture
frog Tuesday, 12 May 2020 at 8:29am

Yep. I have no desire to surf like that and, whilst clever, the approach is moving so far from the realms of possibility or desired surfing experience for most surfers it is almost uninspiring.

Airs may look good as stills but come across as jarring bunny hops on film.

Really good waves might have helped.

Yendor's picture
Yendor's picture
Yendor Tuesday, 12 May 2020 at 12:08pm

Beast. Genuine beast, I love that I never know what is going to happen with Italo. Also rate him putting out this clip in imperfect waves, not entirely beautiful, but reminiscent of Dane. Get it out there.

ojackojacko's picture
ojackojacko's picture
ojackojacko Tuesday, 12 May 2020 at 1:37pm

>>ending in one of the largest unassisted airs I've seen (first wave)

what's an assisted air?

icandig's picture
icandig's picture
icandig Tuesday, 12 May 2020 at 2:26pm

Baked beans?

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Tuesday, 12 May 2020 at 2:28pm

Towed in or doing a tow at behind a ski.

jasper99's picture
jasper99's picture
jasper99 Tuesday, 12 May 2020 at 4:49pm

Looking at those waves I reckon he would do really well on the QS' if he gave it a shot....

luke37's picture
luke37's picture
luke37 Tuesday, 12 May 2020 at 10:57pm

Was just winding down for the evening but now i'm amped! Had to rewind a few times to take it in - especially opening air and slob at 1:34

Daveharro's picture
Daveharro's picture
Daveharro Tuesday, 12 May 2020 at 11:40pm

Time to go to spec savers knockers - yes his physique isn’t parko but appreciate his energy and froth for surfing to just smash it and get super creative and risky. He isn’t world champ without good results in each event ripping Jbay in style, Chopes Keramas Wins Pipe etc. humble guy

Widepoint's picture
Widepoint's picture
Widepoint Wednesday, 13 May 2020 at 7:54pm

Making the most out of scraps. Brazilian lifestyle 101. He rips but would love to see him on long rolling waves?