Itamambuca Hosts Surf Brasil Pro Stage 3; Weslley Dantas Leads

With record prize money and gender equality, the circuit determines the 2026 Brazilian champions in high-level waves

From July 18 to 26, Itamambuca Beach in Ubatuba, São Paulo, will host the third stage of the Surf Brasil Pro 2026 for the second consecutive year. The championship—the main domestic surfing window in Brazil—brings together more than 200 competitors and sets the stage for the national season titles, with an extra element: men's ranking leader Weslley Dantas is a local talent riding the energy of the home crowd.

The Ubatuba leg is the penultimate stop before the grand final, scheduled for November 21–29 at Guarda do Embaú in Santa Catarina. With four stops on the calendar, the Brazilian Surf Confederation (CBSurf) circuit distributes R$500,000 per stage, with R$50,000 awarded to each champion—equal amounts for men and women, cementing gender parity as a cornerstone of the competition.

Title race tightens

With two events already completed, the overall standings are narrowing the contenders. Ubatuba native Weslley Dantas leads the men's rankings, while Ceará's Juliana dos Santos tops the women's leaderboard. The third stage could widen the gaps or reshuffle the title fight, especially because Itamambuca is known for its long, hollow left-hand waves that demand wave reading and versatility—traits that test athlete consistency.

According to CBSurf, the Surf Brasil Pro 2026 was designed to strengthen Brazil's surfing grassroots and uncover talent for international circuits. The entity, chaired by Teco Padaratz, bets on inland competitions and the visibility of classic beaches like Itamambuca and Guarda do Embaú to expand the sport's reach.

Equal prize money: a milestone for Brazilian surfing

Gender equality in prize money is a flagship element of the season. Each stage offers R$500,000, with winners in both the men's and women's categories earning R$50,000 individually. The model mirrors similar initiatives in World Surf League events and reinforces CBSurf's commitment to gender equity.

"Itamambuca is a traditional venue, and the response from athletes and the public has been incredible. The parity in prizes is an advance we celebrate and shows the strength of women's surfing in Brazil," the organization stated in a press release from the Ubatuba city government.

Home advantage: Weslley Dantas and the energy of Itamambuca

Weslley Dantas knows every sandbar at Itamambuca. He grew up surfing the waves that now place him at the top of the national circuit. The home event is both a golden opportunity and added pressure. But the athlete has shown consistency: he won one of the previous stages and arrives with the momentum to extend his lead.

On the women's side, Juliana dos Santos represents the growth of northeastern surfing at a competitive level. The surfer from Ceará, already a standout in QS events, aims to maintain consistency in a field packed with young talent.

Final steps toward the title

Beyond the leaders, the fight for spots in Brazil's surfing elite runs directly through Itamambuca. With more than 200 registered competitors, the stage brings together seasoned veterans and rising prospects from the development categories. The city government has set up bleachers, a large screen by the shore, and live streaming on CBSurf's official platforms.

After Ubatuba, the spotlight shifts to Guarda do Embaú, Santa Catarina, where the final stage from November 21–29 will crown the 2026 Brazilian champions. Until then, every score and every heat at Itamambuca could rewrite the circuit's history. The celebration on Ubatuba's sands, with Dantas as the key local name, is already a standout chapter in the season.