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This season, there’s a Gabriel Medina sized hole on the Championship Tour.

Just a month before the kickoff to the 2025 season, the three-time world champion, hailing from Brazil, suffered a pectoral injury, underwent surgery, and sparked questions whether or not he would return for, perhaps, a portion of the season. Alas, he did not.

Instead, Gabby’s been occupying his time elsewhere – like giving his take on controversial competition calls, investing in a new wave pool, and the latest, sporting a different hairstyle (doo-rag and cornrows) and riding alternative craft (a foil).

The latest video from Gabby’s newly-launched YouTube channel features the latter. He kicks it off with a direct-to-camera dialogue, while rocking the iconic hair accessory of choice by the likes of early 2000s rappers and actors like 50 Cent, Nelly, etc.

Rather than addressing the new look, Medina described his plans for a lay day at home, specifically with regards to a foiling session:

“At home, just woke up,” Medina narrates. “It’s flat. Today is a foil day, I think. Foil is really cool, but it’s a bit dangerous. Don’t try this at home, that’s a warning. Of course, it’s nice to try, but always be careful. It took me a long time to learn, but today I’m able to catch some waves. The fin of the board is really big, so you have to be careful.”

Anyway, you get the gist. Gabby goes on to foil out front of his house at Maresias Beach, located in the northern coastal region of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The cornrows are out, he’s got his springsuit folded down, and he’s enjoying his time away from the CT.

Later, he drops the braids and doo-rag for a game of tennis.

Thoughts on the new look? Should he bring it to the CT upon his presumed return?

TBD.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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