When I was very young, about 8 years old, my nickname was " little duck in the pond," meaning that the water was the place I mostly felt comfortable. At that time I already had a kicking board to take in the water to play.

I started surfing in 1986 with my brother. Back then body boarding wasn’t so popular in the town I lived. One year later I saw a body board that belonged to a friend, and immediately took it in the water and felt in love with it. I had no doubts that it was the way to go. Since that first time I tried body boarding, it became the only thing I wanted to do.

My body-boarding career was escalating gradually. My first local city contest was in June 1988, and I won the title. After that I participated in two more contests and won both of them as well. I got really motivated, by performing so well in these competitions that I started participating on the state championship, getting the 2nd place on the ranking of 1989. At the same time in 1989, in my hometown, I participated in a contest and got 3rd place. Again I felt that I had a chance to compete the Brazilian National body-boarding contest.

In the meantime, in 1990 I started University, psychology major. Then I really had to work hard to manage my time. Practicing, competing and studying was my life at that time.

I got the Brazilian Amateur Championship in 1992 and after that in 1993, I became a professional body boarder.

In 1995, I got the Brazilian Pro Championship title and at the same time I graduated in psychology. I also started the GOB tour in 1995, getting the 7th place, after that 1996, 6th place, 1997,5th place. My chance to win the GOB Title in 1998 and 1999 was very great but I had some injuries that kept me away from winning.

The year of 2000, was the best year for me body boarding. At my first event of 2000 GOB tour I got 2nd place, in Pipeline, Hawaii. The second event in Portugal, I think I had the best performance on the whole circuit. Since the first hit in the water I, by far, had an advantage on the other contestants. They always needed combination points to win me. Even thought I was already winning by points before the end of the contest, I continued competing and ended up getting the title.

The next event took place in Brazil, and it was my worst position in the tour. After that I went to Reunion Island and got the 2nd place. The last round in the Pipeline, Hawaii competition was confirmed 2A (1050 pts.for 1fr place), for this reason I got the world title for anticipation.

At the same time I was able to prove my self to be the winner, by getting the first place in Pipeline, Hawaii.

By all the experience I have competing, I noticed that most of the body boarders also have a fair chance to win titles as well, but they mainly concentrate on the physical preparedness. My training strategy evolves not only physical fitness but also sports psychological preparedness, and support throughout my practice.

I fell that I have accomplished my goal, in my body-boarding career, by being consistent, never giving up, and working really hard.