“Calm, relaxed, and naturally silly”
– Filipa Broeiro
When you meet Filipa Broeiro, you immediately feel the quiet power of someone deeply connected to the ocean. Born and raised in Sintra, Portugal, her childhood was divided between misty mountains in winter and endless summer days by the sea. The ocean was never just a playground – it was her teacher, her sanctuary, and the foundation of who she is today.
“I could spend hours in the water, fascinated by the feeling of freedom, the colors, and the sand beneath my feet. The sea shaped who I am today: it taught me to be more relaxed, positive, and genuinely happy.”
Growing Up Between Mountains and Sea
Filipa describes her hometown in four words: mystical, timeless, green, and historic. Winters were spent exploring misty mountains, surrounded by ancient trees, while summers belonged to the ocean. From a young age, she felt the ocean’s power – a place that gave her confidence, joy, and perspective.
Her first encounter with bodyboarding came at 11, during a school trip to Praia Grande. What seemed like a simple lesson turned out to be life-changing. A few years later she won her first championship:
“That was the moment I thought, ‘Wait… I’m actually good at this.’”
Filipa’s connection with the ocean deepened quickly. While other children played different sports, she found her rhythm and peace between the waves. The ocean became her classroom, teaching resilience, focus, and joy.
Early Achievements and Dedication
Years later, in 2017, Filipa won her first championship. From that moment on, her life became a disciplined, focused journey. She started training every day, balancing gym work, diet, and surfing practice. The results were remarkable: two-time Junior National Champion, Junior European Champion, Women’s National Champion, and Women’s European Champion.
“Being Top 3 in the world is a dream I never imagined achieving. It’s proof that dedication and purpose can turn dreams into reality.”
Her achievements are not just medals and titles. They are a reflection of hours of early mornings, physical discomfort, and mental resilience.
Women in Sport and the Future of Bodyboarding
Representing Portugal internationally is always a huge honor for Filipa. She carries her country with her in every wave. Yet, as a woman in sport, she feels an even greater responsibility:
“As a woman in sport, I feel an even greater responsibility: to show that talent and dedication have no gender, and to inspire other women to claim their place, in the ocean, in sport, or in any area of life.”
For Filipa, being an athlete is not just about competing. It’s about passing on values, breaking barriers, and showing younger generations what is possible. She knows that visibility and representation are key: when girls see women excelling in bodyboarding, it sends a powerful message—they too belong in the water, in competitions, and in leadership roles within the sport.
“The ocean doesn’t distinguish anyone, it demands technique, courage, and passion. When a woman enters the water and shows her potential, she breaks stereotypes automatically. And that inspires the next generations.”
Despite being a Top 3 athlete in the world, Filipa acknowledges the challenges female bodyboarders face: limited sponsorships, less media coverage, and fewer international opportunities.
“Right now, I don’t have any financial support that allows me to travel the world to compete on the world tour. And honestly, sometimes I ask myself: ‘Am I not good enough?’ But then I remember, I’m Top 3 in the world. The talent and work is there… What’s missing is recognition and support from my own country.”
She stresses that supporting women in sport is not a favor—it’s an investment in the future:
“More investment, more visibility, and more equal opportunities. It’s essential that brands, clubs, and institutions understand that supporting women’s sports isn’t a cost. It’s an investment in the future.”
In addition, Filipa is a strong believer in mentorship and community. She actively encourages younger female athletes, sharing her experience, guidance, and passion. By creating a supportive network, she hopes to strengthen the presence of women in bodyboarding and ensure every girl who wants to enter the sport feels empowered.
“Beyond technique, I want to pass on resilience, self-confidence, discipline, and love for sport. Because that’s what keeps a soul strong, even when no one is watching.”
“We need more women coaching, mentoring, and leading. The more we support each other, the stronger the community becomes.”
For Filipa, the ocean is a level playing field—one that rewards skill, courage, and resilience, regardless of gender. Yet, recognition and opportunity outside the water are equally important. She advocates youth development programs, structured competitions, and more public acknowledgment of female athletes’ achievements:
“Sport isn’t just ‘health.’ Sport is life. It’s overcoming, discipline, passion, consistency, freedom, sacrifice, and glory. And Portugal has incredible athletes with stories that deserve support and celebration.”
Filipa Broeiro is not only a champion in the water but a champion for women in sport, using her platform to empower, inspire, and change perceptions about what women can achieve in bodyboarding and beyond.
Mental Strength and Focus
Bodyboarding is not just physical; it is a mental game. Filipa trains her mind as rigorously as her body. She works on mindfulness, breath control, and building self-confidence, which allows her to stay calm under pressure and recover quickly from setbacks.
“Setbacks are part of the journey. When something goes wrong, I allow myself to feel it, but I don’t stay there. I remind myself of my abilities, analyze what I can improve, and move forward.”
She emphasizes that mental resilience is often the difference between winning and losing, between fear and flow.
Filipa is an incredibly creative person. Everything that stimulates the mind and imagination is part of her life—drawing, filming, photographing, and writing. Alongside her sport, she gives bodyboard and surf lessons to guarantee some income and pursues one of her greatest passions: video editing.
“I live between two worlds that complement each other: bodyboarding and art.”
And it is the ocean that grounds both worlds:
“The ocean is my balance. Every time I enter the water, I find peace, release stress, and gain perspective.”
Her creative pursuits complement her sport, allowing her to express herself fully and maintain emotional well-being.
Personal Philosophy and Values
Filipa approaches life and sport with a philosophy of simplicity and presence. Before entering a heat, she recites:
“Calm, relaxed, and naturally silly”
“You are what you think.”
These words help her remain focused, light-hearted, and confident, even in the toughest competitions. She believes that values like resilience, discipline, and self-confidence are what sustain a person both in sport and in life. And above all, she reminds us: never lose the silly side—you can conquer waves and giggle at the wipeouts along the way.
Looking Forward
Filipa’s immediate competitive goal is clear: she wants to fight for the world title. When asked about her goals for the coming years, she said:
“Competitively, I want to fight for the world title. Beyond that, I want to keep evolving, inspire young athletes, and contribute to the growth of bodyboarding in Portugal.”
Her journey is ongoing – a mix of waves, creativity, discipline, and vision. Filipa Broeiro is not just pursuing personal success; she is also showing that women can excel at the highest level, lead by example, and inspire the next generation.
Gratitude and Team Spirit
To Filipa, success is never a solo journey. She carries deep appreciation for the people who guide her, challenge her, and stand by her every single day. Her gratitude is heartfelt, deeply personal, and expansive — a reminder that champions are shaped not only by waves, but by the community behind them.
“I want to leave a huge thank-you to the people who guide me, support me, and push me to grow every single day.
To my coaches Tiago, Tomás, Andreia, and Estrela:
Your trust in me, your patience, and the knowledge you share are priceless. You’ve helped shape not only the athlete I am today, but also the person behind it. I’m truly grateful for every session, every correction, and every word of motivation.To my sponsors Gold Nutrition, GT Boards, Great I Am, ActionWaves, DepilConcept, Fisiolética, and CoolGYM:
Thank you for believing in my work and giving me the tools I need to keep chasing my dreams at the highest level. Your support allows me to stand on the world stage with confidence and purpose.To my club, Ericeira Surf Clube:
Thank you for supporting my journey, and giving me a home within this sport I love so deeply.And to my friends and family:
Your love, patience, and strength are the foundation of everything I do. Thank you for holding me up on the hard days, celebrating with me on the good ones, and reminding me of who I am when I doubt myself. I carry you with me everywhere.”
For Filipa, gratitude is not just a gesture — it’s part of her identity. She knows that every wave, every challenge, and every triumph is shared. And through her humility, talent, and passion, she is not only shaping the future of bodyboarding, but proving that women can claim their place at the top of any sport.
And in the end, Filipa carries her guiding mantra with her into every wave — a reminder to stay grounded, joyful, and true to herself:
“Calm, relaxed, and naturally silly.”
– Filipa Broeiro
