2019 World Champion Italo Ferreira and Billabong Part Ways

When Billabong took a flier on Italo Ferreira in 2016, he was just a little-known Brazilian with a raw approach and a ton of potential. Just three years later, Ferreira thanked Bong by winning the Pipe Masters and the World Title in one fell swoop during one of the most entertaining days in competitive surfing history.

Talk about a great return on investment: From relative obscurity to the top of the (surfing) world in near record time, Ferreira rewarded Billabong in a big, big way.

But now, just a few short years later, the two are already going their separate ways, with Ferreira announcing the news on Instagram.

"I'd like to thank Billabong for being part of my story! It's been years of a partnership that began in 2016 and has contributed to my career. But as everything in life has a beginning, a middle and an end...this cycle ends for others to begin. Thanks to all the team who were part of this project. SO STOKE-ED."

So, what's next for Ferreira? With the surf industry in the midst of a big shake-up, we can't imagine a lot of brands are flush with cash to throw his way. That said, we also can't imagine that a former world champion and an Olympic gold medalist will stay a free agent for very long.

Stay tuned.

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