Gabriel Medina announces he’s going to be a dad — ultrasound on a surfboard
Gabriel Medina confirmed he and partner Isabella Arantes are expecting. The three-time World Surf League champion shared a simple, striking Instagram image: an ultrasound photo placed on a surfboard. The post had no caption, but the surf world took the picture — and the news — to heart.
Gabriel Medina Instagram announcement (official)
Why it matters
Medina is one of the most influential surfers of his generation — WSL world champion in 2014, 2018 and 2021 — and news of a first child is a major personal milestone that will resonate across the pro tour and the Brazilian surf community. Coming after a prolonged absence from competition and recent surgery, the announcement shifts the conversation from only results to how elite athletes balance recovery, family and a return to form.
Quick background
– Career: Medina is a three-time WSL world champion (2014, 2018, 2021). His competitive high points and cultural impact are well documented in WSL archives.
– Recent absence: He last appeared on the Championship Tour at the Fiji Pro in 2024 and has been out of CT competition since August 2024.
– Injury and surgery: Medina underwent surgery for a pectoral injury in January 2025, according to coverage and official statements.
– Wildcards and entries: Reports say a wildcard request for the Tahiti Pro 2025 was refused and a replacement spot was later declined.
About Isabella Arantes
Isabella Arantes, 28, is a Brazilian model and dancer who appears regularly on social platforms and in lifestyle coverage. Her Instagram shows her work in dance and modeling and several public moments with Medina.
Isabella Arantes — profile and recent posts
Community reaction
Reactions poured in from across the surf world. High-profile peers and former champions publicly reacted to the Instagram post, highlighting the sense of community in the sport when big life moments land. Among the responses noted in social coverage was a congratulatory reaction from Mick Fanning.
What comes next — sport, family, logistics
Medina’s announcement arrives while he is recovering from surgery and remains out of CT competition. That combination — rehab plus a new family — will shape his training, travel and competition planning. The surf world has recent examples of athletes who balanced parenthood and pro careers; each path is personal and logistics-heavy. For Medina, the immediate priorities will likely be recovery, family time and a measured plan for any competitive return.
