Photo: WSL

The Saquarema CT—some hate it, others love it, or at least admire the Brazilian fans. The reality is that it's probably the surfing competition that moves and generates the most money.

In three years, the amount of money moved increased by 142% and reached $32 million this year.

I personally don't like that event. I prefer four clubs on the beach, perfect waves, and a better surfing show, but, but, it must be said that without money, there are no championships, and without money, there is no professional surfing.

And this man, Ivan Martinho, who knows nothing about surfing according to several sources, and according to his own admission, is capable of making a surfing championship a good business.

It's just a fact. And mind you, it's a very important fact.

There may be people who like it, there may be people who don't, and there may be people who don't care.

I don't stop at any of those places. Honestly, I don't know exactly where to stop. I guess I have to say it's a necessary evil and also clarify that the surfing competition is an excuse for people to come and drink beer all day while watching the music festival and maybe taking a selfie with Toledo, and then go back and drink beer while watching Palmeiras vs. Fluminense.

Of course it's not a core surfing audience.

I reiterate that I prefer four sticks and perfect waves with good surfing.

But we mustn't fail to recognize this man for achieving something few others can: making a surfing championship generate a lot of money, as much as 32 million in 10 days.

And the figure is serious; it's not the invention of a surfer who grabbed a notebook and wrote it down, but rather it was created by a serious consulting firm like EY.

So good for him, he's doing his job. The necessary evil, which isn't the four-star club and perfect waves I like.