Silvana Lima was born on October 29, 1984 in Paracuru, Ceará, Brazil. Paracuru is home to beautiful beaches and warm water. Located just north of Fortaleza and south of the mighty Amazon River, this area of Brazil is also known for its consistent wind making it an ideal location for kiteboarding and windsurfing.
Silvana grew up in a shack on the beach and began surfing at the tender age of 7. Her first surfboard was a plank of wood with a hole in it so she could insert a fin. Growing up poor only made her more determined to become a great surfer.
The Brazilian Storm
In her twenties, Silvana won eight Brazilian national titles, two world title runner-ups, and the unofficial title of Brazil’s greatest-ever female surfer. The contest winnings she accumulated along the way and her sponsorship with Billabong, helped her buy that dream home for her and her family. She also became part of the “Brazilian Storm” of world class surfers, who included Gabriel Medina, Wiggolly Dantas, Adriano de Souza, Filipe Toledo, Miguel Pupo and Jadson Andre.
In 2005, she became the first woman to ever record a perfect score of 10 for her ride during a competition Honolua Bay, Maui. Lima has since gone on to record two more perfect rides to enhance the reputation she holds for a progressive, all-action style that even her peers find intoxicating.
The Injury
In 2012 during a surf contest in Australia, Silvana tore her anterior cruciate ligament in her knee and had to be sidelined for the remainder of the season. She also lost her sponsorship with Billabong. After a year of rehabilitating her knee, Silvana received the wildcard in 2013, but due to financial hardship in being able to travel to all the surf contests, she was unable to requalify.
She sold her home and her car in 2014 to fund her next go on the QS — and it paid off when she returned to the CT. To continue to finance her travel expenses and entry fees, Silvana raises French Bull Dogs. She thanks the puppies she raised that allowed her to travel to New Zealand and win a big surf contests. Silvana is now competing on the second tier World Qualifying Series in a bid to resurrect her World Tour career.
Her difficulty in obtaining sponsorships, especially in the lucrative women’s surf wear industry, Silvana claims she was shunned because she was not beautiful, “like a model.”
The Comeback
The ever-explosive Brazilian clawed her way back to the CT after an incredible season on the QS in 2016 with multiple wins, including the last event of the year to earn 6,000 points. Adding on a win in Costa Rica, and third-place finish at El Salvador and the Los Cabos Open of Surf, Lima showcased her passion to return to the Top 17. But, since her return, she hasn’t found success on the Dream Tour just yet, only making it out of Round Two once so far, and now turns to the QS once more.
With her unshakable resilience, raw talent and work, Silvana is on fire again. Full of dynamic set-pieces, she spends a healthy portion of her competition performances tucked in the barrel of a wave or using it as a ramp to propel her into the air — a move known as an aerial. At 32, she’ll be the oldest woman on tour, but also the most experienced: She was surfing before most of the Top 17 were even born.
When asked by the WSL what her biggest weaknesses were, Silvana responded “My weakness was I couldn’t stand losing… Failure used to make me really upset. I’ve changed a lot. I know athletes sometimes win, sometimes lose. I went back to the bottom and came back more confident, wanting to achieve my highest goal. My biggest weakness now are my dogs. When they get sick I suffer a lot.”
“My biggest dream is to be world champion,” Lima said. “It’s really important for me to be here among the best surfers in the world — the only Brazilian. I’m really happy and proud of myself, and want to keep on improving.” We’re proud of you too, Silvana!
Silvana Lima Photo Gallery – Click Here for More Photos
(Photos can be purchased at: Best Photos Online )
Surfing Career
2017 12th WSL Ranking
2017 1st CT Swatch Women’s Pro – California
2017 1st QS Los Cabos Open of Surf – Mexico
2016 Ranked 1st WSL QS
2016 1st QS Essential Costa Rica Open – Costa Rica
2016 1st QS Sydney International Women’s Pro –Australia
2016 3rd QS Copa El Salvador Impresionante – El Salvador
2016 3rd QS Los Cabos Open of Surf – Mexico
2016 5th QS Pantin Classic Galicia Pro – Spain
2014 1st WSL QS
2014 1st QS Port Taranaki Pro – New Zealand
2014 1st QS Pantin Classic Galicia Pro – Spain
2014 3rd Supergirl Pro – California
2014 5th Los Cabos Open of Surf – Mexico
2014 5th Hunter Port Women’s Classic – Australia
2013 Ranked 21st WLS QS
2013 5th Supergirl Pro – California
Height: 5’1”
Surfboard Shaper: Johnny Cabianca