Sports · Other Sports · 3 hrs ago
Brazilian surfing pioneer Dadá Figueiredo dies at 61
Brazilian surfer Dadá Figueiredo died at 61 on Saturday, according to the Rio de Janeiro state surfing federation.
The cause of death was not disclosed.
The Rio de Janeiro native became a leading figure in Brazilian surfing in the mid-1980s.
His aggressive style included moves inspired by skateboarding and helped anticipate trends in modern surfing.
He won the Rio state championship in 1989 and that year also won the Sea Club Final Heat tournament in Saquarema.
Figueiredo was linked to the punk movement and later became an evangelical pastor after facing problems with alcohol and cocaine use.
His influence helped shape Brazilian surf culture, and the state federation said he inspired generations of surfers.
Brazilian surfing pioneer Dadá Figueiredo died on Saturday, October 24, aged 61.
The cause of his death was not disclosed.
He became a prominent figure in Brazilian surfing in the mid-1980s with an aggressive, innovative style influenced by skateboarding.
His career included winning the Rio de Janeiro state championship and the Sea Club Final Heat in 1989.
- Who
- Dadá Figueiredo, a Brazilian surfing pioneer.
- What
- He died aged 61.
- When
- Saturday, October 24, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- The cause of death was not disclosed.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Figueiredo won the Rio de Janeiro state championship and the Sea Club Final Heat in Saquarema.
Figueiredo died aged 61.
- Age at death
- 61
- Rio de Janeiro state championship
- Won in 1989
- Sea Club Final Heat
- Won in Saquarema in 1989
- Surfing style
- Aggressive and innovative, incorporating moves inspired by skateboarding
What people are saying
With deep sorrow, the Federation of Surf of the State of Rio de Janeiro mourns the passing of Dadá Figueiredo, aged 61.
A revolutionary in the 1980s, Dadá marked the history of the sport with his authentic attitude, punk style and radicalism on the waves.