Special coverage presented by the International Surfing Association 

The president of the Brazilian Surfing Confederation, Flavio Teco Padaratz, was present for one of the greatest glories that his country has achieved in an ISA event and in general terms in recent years.

Brazil is the only country that will compete in Paris 2024 with all six surfers that were eligible to compete, and they achieved it in a magical way: The result they achieved was exactly what they needed; in the men's category, if a Frenchman placed higher, France won; in the women's category, if Spain won; in the women's category, Spain won; if Tatiana dropped one more place, Australia won.

Brazilian magic was present in Puerto Rico, but Teco also spoke about the changes that occurred in his country after he took over as president of CBS and the difficulties of his role as president.

Below, what the president of the federation that won almost everything in Puerto Rico had to say.

It was a great result, almost magical, what happened?
For Brazilians, things are not easy, they always come with a lot of difficulty and a lot of struggle. We are a people of determination and we give our 100% when we are in competition.

I think this event serves as an incentive for young people who have a lot ahead of them and they are feeling what it is to love the jersey, because here there is no money involved, what there is is passion and love for the jersey and the Brazilian flag.

Were you doing the math the whole time?
Yes, we did a lot of calculations all the time and in both finals the result ended up being perfect. If I had changed one positioning, we wouldn't have won.

Did you talk to Ramzi?
We're rooting for him a lot! A lot!

But did they talk to him?
We tried but he didn't want to know the results.

And then? Did they thank you?
I said to him: “Ramzi, you are Brazilian. What are you doing in Morocco? You are Brazilian (laughs).” And he said to me: “Calm down, calm down, calm down.”

Changing the subject, how did such a major change happen in Brazil? The Brazilian storm was already there, but it was not reflected in what was happening with the championships in Brazil. How did you make such a major change?
I didn't do it alone, I was invited to be part of the Brazilian team, to be president and I have a wonderful team with me; they are big names, people who have no personal interest, their only interest is to see Brazil shine. We are all ex-professional surfers who want to make things happen and I think that because we are surfers, that encouraged the surfers, encouraged them to want more and gave credibility to our team.

But how did it work logistically and financially?
I don't know yet (laughs).

Because they went from having four or five championships to having 30, how many?
27.

27 and with all the surfing disciplines. Either something strange was happening before or I don’t know… What was it?
It was both. I sacrificed a lot of my personal life to do this job. The person I want to call when I get to my hotel is my wife, she is paying a high price for this, for me being here. When I am not here I am at work and I am not going to leave until the day I leave, I am not going to leave, she knows that and she is a great partner.

"When I'm not here I'm at work and I'm not going to leave until the day I leave, I'm not going to leave."

I think what happened and what I ended up doing was encouraging people to work together and with a single purpose, which is the good of CBSurf and Brazilian surfers. Just that, there can't be anything else in our heads because if we put our personal dreams in it, everything is ruined. We are a family here.

Is it difficult to be president?
A lot; it's the most difficult job I've ever done, but the most rewarding.

What is the hardest?
Dealing with politics, with federations, with accounts and compliance, mainly compliance, convincing the entire Brazilian market that we cannot do anything wrong because we have a lot to lose.

I have a 40-year career built on success and any mistake can ruin everything, I can lose everything. That is the hardest part: the adrenaline of making sure that no one makes a mistake.

"I have a 40-year career built on success and any mistake can bring everything down, I can lose everything. That is the hardest part: the adrenaline of making sure that no one makes a mistake."

Are you talking about the management of public funds?
Yes.

A small mistake can be a scandal.
Everything goes away, everything goes away.

And the rewarding part?
It was all worth it when I saw Tati hug Luana after the final because she gave her the slot, the two of them crying and hugging each other, that makes everything start from scratch again. I would do it all over again just to see that hug.

And do you have cons, are there people who want to remove you from office?
Yes, there are. They are few but there are and I think that the opposition is good because it keeps us walking on the right and correct path. They help us not to stray from the right path. The opposition is very useful and very positive.

The CBS circuit is taking on the WSL regional circuit, right?
They are angry with us and they are going to get even angrier. They don't know what is coming.

More money and more championships?
Much more!