3 weeks till Brazil 4-Star World Cup set to ignite the World Windsurf Tour
by International Windsurfing Tour 3 Aug 23:40 BST
23-29 August 2026
Brazil 4-Star World Cup © John Carter
"Nineteen years after Kauli Seadi thrilled home fans by winning Brazil's last PWA Wave World Cup, the world's best return to one of windsurfing's great nations."
The countdown is on. In just three weeks, the 2026 Brazil 4-Star World Cup will make history as the World Windsurf Tour returns to Brazil for the first time in almost 20 years, bringing the world's best wave sailors to the legendary winds of Fortaleza from August 23-29. With Brazil's passionate windsurfing community ready to welcome the world's elite, anticipation is building for what promises to be one of the most exciting events of the 2026 season.
Leading the charge is Brazil's own five-time World Champion Marcilio Browne, who returns home determined to defend Brazilian pride in front of his home fans. Browne will be joined by an international field already featuring Britain's Robby Swift, one of the sport's most respected veterans, alongside Australia's legendary Jason Polakow, whose aggressive style and decades of world-class performances have made him one of windsurfing's greatest icons.
More top international athletes will be announced over the coming weeks as the final entry list takes shape.
Will Brazil unleash a storm?
Brazil has produced some of the greatest windsurfers the sport has ever seen. Now, after nearly two decades without hosting a World Cup, the country's next generation has an opportunity to announce itself on the global stage. Could this be the event that unleashes a Brazilian Storm across the World Windsurf Tour? Will this be the chance for young guns Jahdan Tyger from Jeri in Brazil's north? He's a serious talent and this could be the start of his big story.
With powerful trade winds, warm water and one of the world's most passionate sailing cultures, Brazil has all the ingredients to produce unforgettable competition—and perhaps a new wave of Brazilian stars. The World Cup also represents an important milestone in the continuing expansion of the unified World Windsurf Tour, bringing elite international competition back to one of the sport's most influential nations.
A critical stop on the 2026 tour
As a 4-Star World Cup, the Brazil event offers valuable World Ranking points and forms an important step towards qualification for the Tour's prestigious 5-Star events and World Title race. Every heat will matter. Every point could shape the remainder of the 2026 season.
The last PWA Wave World Cup in Brazil
The last PWA Wave World Cup held in Brazil was the Ibiraquera Wave Contest in Santa Catarina, held 9-16 September 2007. It was a full Professional Windsurfers Association Wave World Cup and followed the Brazilian National Championships at the same venue.
Event highlights
- Venue: Ibiraquera, Imbituba, Santa Catarina
- Dates: 9-16 September 2007
- Discipline: Wave
- Tour: PWA Wave World Cup
- Conditions: 1-2 m surf with strong northeast winds during the finals.
Winner
The event was won by Kauli Seadi (Brazil), who defeated Nik Baker (UK) in the final in front of a huge home crowd.
After winning, Kauli said:
"This victory is the realization of a dream for me."
The victory allowed him to extend his lead in the 2007 PWA Wave World Championship, which he went on to win later that season to become Brazil's first Wave World Champion.
Before Ibiraquera
Brazil had previously hosted PWA events in Fortaleza, Ceará during the late 1990s. A major PWA Grand Slam was held there in 1997, with wave, race and long distance disciplines, helping establish Fortaleza as one of the world's premier windsurfing destinations. Marcilio Browne himself credits the PWA events in Fortaleza as a major inspiration for his career. On his official PWA biography he writes:
"Then came the time that PWA were holding races at Fortaleza. At this time I was sailing waves and it gave a big push for my windsurfing wishes and skill."
That's a powerful narrative: the young local kid inspired by the PWA in Fortaleza grew up to become a five-time World Champion and now returns to headline the WWT's return to Brazil.
Simeon Glasson, World Windsurf Tour Commissioner: "Brazil has always been a powerhouse of the windsurfing world. Bringing a World Cup back after 19 years feels incredibly special. We know the local fans will create an amazing atmosphere, and with Marcilio Browne, Robby Swift, Jason Polakow and many more of the world's best riders competing, this has all the ingredients to become one of the standout events of the year. The big question is - will this be the beginning of a new Brazilian storm on the World Windsurf Tour?"
The countdown has begun. Three weeks to go. Brazil is ready.
Watch Live Worldwide
Fans around the world will be able to follow every jump, wave ride and dramatic elimination live on the official World Windsurf Tour broadcast.
Brazil 4-Star World Cup
August 23-29, 2026
Fortaleza, Brazil
Watch live: www.worldwindsurftour.com
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