The Wahine Bodyboarding Pro (April 20th-29th) is the first stop of the 2023 IBC Bodyboarding World Tour.
Isabela Sousa, the current Women World Champion and holder of five world championships, has announced that she will not compete in the first stop of the IBC World Tour in Espírito Santo, Brazil, the Wahine Bodyboarding Pro. According to the Brazilian bodyboarder, the lack of financial support is the main and only reason.
“Unfortunately even after the last world title last year, adding 5 world titles in my career, I can’t get enough financial support to do the whole tour. The search for support and sponsorships in the last 6 
years has been incessant and during this period I had to pay for everything or almost everything for my competitions, leaving me today unable to pay for most of the world events once again.
When a female athlete, homosexual, Brazilian and who does not fit the aesthetics of the surf girl reports these difficulties in sports… it is not me, it is reality. So for now I want to send a big thank you to Pride Bodyboards and Bodyboard Center for continuing to support me all these years regardless of any stereotypes, orientation or nationality.
But the fight does not end here. I ride waves because I love it and when we love it, we do whatever it takes to achieve our dream. And I want to be the best of all times, undisputed in titles, and with that give more voice to my biggest dream, which is to take the energy of the sea through riding the waves to contaminate those who didn’t even know that this passion existed. I believe true happiness is shared”, wrote Isabela on social media.
The world champion ended saying the dream flame remains firm and that she will be present and ready for the second stop of the tour in Chile (May 18th-28th).
However, this situation, which is sad and something recurrent in our sport, reminds us how fragile and unfair the bodyboard industry can be sometimes.
Stay strong, sister. Better times will come!
