Here's a wild Filipe Todelo stats stat: Of the 11 Championship Tour events in 2025, he won at nine venues. Of the comps still on the schedule, he's taken out most of them: El Salvador (1), Bells Beach (1), Snapper (1), Margaret River (1), Lower Trestles (1), Jeffrey's Bay (3X) and Saquarema (4X).
Those results suggest that Filipe, though currently ranked ninth behind Kanoa Igarashi, is poised to charge up the rankings. Whether it's in Central America or Australia, it seems like a matter of if, now when. It's one of the biggest subplots of the season—can a two-time world champion who took a year off wrestle back a title? He'll have to do it in very different conditions, Cloudbreak as opposed to Lowers, but wouldn't that make for a helluva story?
We'll have to wait a few months for that to develop. In the meantime, enjoy a smattering of Fil's pre-comp Portugal highlights above. While the CT event in Peniche often doesn't live up to its wave potential, the coastline around town always seems to provide surfers with footage. Every year, there are always edits that come out from this tour leg. Remember when Kolohe Andino and John John Florence dropped duel videos of their chocolate-colored barrels a few years back?
For his part, Filipe demonstrates the quick, nimble and aggressive stuff we've come to expect from the champ. Has anyone whipped a Sharp Eye faster than this guy? Doubtful. Based on previous results at the next tour stops., I think I'll reserve a fantasy slot for him going forward.
Related: Vlog: Here's a Softer Side of 2X Surfing World Champion Filipe Toledo
