## Gabriel Medina and Rip Curl Part Ways After 17 Years
For 17 years now, the iconic breaking wave logo, coupled wiht the legacy Rip Curl brand name, has been perched on the beak of Gabriel medina’s surfboards.
but after nearly a decade of sponsorship, the three-time world champion hailing from brazil is parting ways with the heritage surf brand, which was born in 1969 in Australia.
See below for Medina’s heartfelt farewell to the brand.
View this post on InstagramGabriel Medina Parts Ways with Rip Curl: What’s Next?Table of Contents
In a significant shakeup for the world of professional surfing, Gabriel Medina has announced the end of his long-standing partnership with Rip Curl. This news arrives just before Medina’s highly anticipated return to competition on the World Surf league’s Championship Tour in 2026, following a year sidelined due to a pectoral injury.The split also occurs amidst similar news, as fellow Brazilian and reigning world champion yago Dora recently ended his sponsorship with Volcom.
A Chapter Closed
Medina expressed his gratitude for the partnership in a heartfelt statement: “Today, a lovely chapter comes to an end. The legacy is built, the story is written. As you say in Australia: ‘good job, mate.’ And it truly was – a partnership that worked. Thank you for everything, Rip Curl. Always.”
Related: Gabriel Medina Makes Comeback Following Surf Injury
the Sponsorship Question
With Medina now a free agent, the surfing world is buzzing with speculation about his next sponsorship deal. The question on everyone’s mind is: who will secure the coveted space on Gabriel Medina’s surfboards?
Potential Suitors
Several possibilities exist. Will Medina align with another established surf brand, continuing the tradition of major sponsorships in the sport? Or could we see a move towards a less conventional partnership, perhaps with a brand outside the conventional surf industry? The options are wide open.
Key Takeaways
- Gabriel medina has ended his sponsorship with Rip Curl.
- This comes ahead of his return to the WSL Championship Tour in 2026 after recovering from a pectoral injury.
- Yago Dora also recently parted ways with his sponsor, Volcom.
- The surfing world is now speculating about Medina’s next sponsorship deal.