It’s been a rollercoaster week for Mateus Herdy who battled every emotion as his Championship Tour fate was ripped from his grip and placed in the hands of other surfers still chasing qualification. There was despair, agony and frustration towards the judges when his backside rota fell questionably short (0.03 to be precise) of the score required to keep control of his destiny. Then came elation, relief and gratitude when Luke Cassity knocked out Dimitri Poulos to guarantee the Brazilian a full time place on next season’s CT.
A new fire was lit in the belly of the Brazilian who has threatened so many times to become the country’s next surfing superstar, but, until now, didn’t have that final spark in order to ignite and burn bright.
Brazil has dominated the men’s rankings over the last decade with eight of the past 11 world titles heading to South America. The generation known as the Brazilian Storm, spearheaded by World Champions Gabriel Medina, Filipe Toledo, Italo Ferreira and the newly crowned Yago Dora, have helped put their country on the surfing map.
They will be joined by Mateus and Sammy Pupo, who also secured his spot in dramatic fashion at Merewether last week. Miguel Pupo, Joao Chianca and Alejo Muniz will also put on the jersey at the season opener down in Bells Beach next month.
Mateus will be the country’s only rookie on tour in 2026, but he’s already had a taste of the big stage. During the Covid-affected 2021 season he finished third as a wildcard in Mexico eliminating big names such as Griffin Colapinto and Italo before Jack Robinson ended his fairytale in Oaxaca.
But turning that promise into a permanent CT spot proved harder than expected.
In both 2023 and 2024, he came agonisingly close to qualification, finishing both seasons in 12th place after falling just one heat short at Saquarema.
“I think I got used to things not working out for me every year, and I couldn’t believe it was going to happen again. It still hasn’t sunk in yet, but I’m really happy. Becoming a CT athlete is something I’ve always dreamed about,” said Mateus.
Before the Newcastle event even began, Herdy had already made a conscious effort to shift his mindset.
“I really prepared myself to put all my energy into the competition and not think too much about qualification. That long break between last season and this one was actually good for me because it helped me focus on the present. I’m treating this as the start of the year, not a last chance, so I’m not nervous.”
That approach proved important once the event began.
Herdy started 2025 strongly, posting three ninth-place finishes and a runner-up result in the opening four events. But like many campaigns on the Challenger Series, consistency proved elusive and a run of early exits soon followed.
“What I take from this whole journey is realizing that people aren’t only there when things are going well. You really learn who’s by your side, and that you can’t give up even when things go sideways.”
By the time the final event of the season rolled around, qualification was once again in Mateus’ hands. However, after bowing out in the Round of 32, Mateus could only watch on and hope that a number of results went the right way.
You could feel the tension in his corner. The whole Rivvia Projects crew, led by former CT competitor Julian Wilson, huddled under their gazebo on the Merewether boardwalk and nervously watched on.
“This is too much for me,” Mateus was heard uttering to Julian at one point.
That tension only grew when Levi Slawson – one of the two surfers who could knock Herdy out of the top 10 – landed a loft straight air which gave him a buzzer beater win over Shion Crawford.
Then, the heat between Dimitri and Luke. As the final minutes ticked away, Cassity threw a huge air rev to turn the heat. That, in combination with other results going Mateus’ way, was enough to secure him qualification.
The Rivvia crew erupted into celebration and Mateus broke down in tears. In an instant, the weight of the world on his shoulders was lifted.
Competitive drive runs deep in the family. His uncle, Guilherme Herdy, spent more than a decade competing professionally on the WSL, giving Mateus a front-row seat to the realities of the sport from an early age.
“Since I was a kid they’ve always been honest with me, whether it was about something I did wrong in everyday life or in contests. My family never went easy on me. That’s one of the reasons I think I’ve learned to process defeats and frustrations well. They never forced me to be there competing, it was always genuine support. It helped me keep chasing a CT spot every year without sinking into disappointment.”
That support system helped him weather the disappointments of previous seasons and keep chasing qualification year after year.
“They’re very laid-back people. My uncle (Guilherme Herdy) even texted me yesterday joking around while I was playing golf with some friends. My family is super chill. I’ve never felt pressure from them. My mom and my other uncle, Arthur, have always supported me and helped me a lot along the way.”
With the backing of his family and the support of some of the world’s best surfers, such as Julian Wilson, who now acts as his boss and team manager for Rivvia Projects, Mateus will be hoping that he can make cement his place on the CT with a solid debut campaign. You can watch the Brazilian when the WSL returns to Bells Beach next month. The waiting period kicks off on 1 April.
