Meet the boy who has been surfing since he was just two years old, after astounding his parents by standing up without assistance on his second ever wave.
Joao Vitor, four, from Guaruja, Brazil a coastal town 55 miles from Sao Paulo, was inspired to start surfing after witnessing his dad and older sister partake in the activity every day.
His mother, Camilla Chuque Braga, a housewife told Jam Press: “He started swimming school when he was seven months old.
“His Sister Maria Clara and his father surf all day and introduced this sport into his life.
“My husband always pushed Maria in the waves with Joao on his lap, so one day he asked to catch a wave just like his sister.
“That was when he pushed João and saw that he knew what he was doing”
The couple were in shock at how quickly their son had mastered the technique of standing up, something that people much older than him struggle with.
Camilla continued: “When he stood up the first time me and my husband, who was helping him, did not believe it because he was just a baby.
“My husband thought he would just stay lying down on the surfboard, but he stood up and surfed the wave straight.
“He loves the sea, both for surfing and swimming. He is always happy.”
It would seem that surfing talent is very much in the blood of the family, as Joao regularly takes to the ocean with his older sister, even at times riding a surfboard together.
Their proud mum said: “My daughter Maria Clara started surfing when she was 3 years and 6 months. But before that, since she was 2 and a half, she practiced bodyboard.
“I take them to the beach every day, and they usually surf every day.
“They usually surf in the Beach in front of my house, Pitangueiras beach, on the south coast of São Paulo.
“I just don’t take them on very cold and rainy days.
“People are delighted and surprised with such a small child surfing with such skill and so well.”
Although she views her son as a gifted surfer, Camilla is undecided as to what the future holds for him. She went on: “I think he got interested in the sport very early and practices very well for his age but I think it’s too early to know if he will be a professional surfer”
A delightful picture of Joao riding his surfboard left people in awe of his talent.
One user commented: “Prince of waves.”
This was followed by another awe-struck user saying: “So impressive”
A video of Joao showing off his skills also garnered a positive response with one viewer stating: “This baby is inspiring me.”
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