Teresa Bonvalot grew up in the wave-rich zone of Cascais, just to the north of the Portugal capital of Lisbon. After initially riding a bodyboard, she swapped to surfing aged nine and quickly became identified as a standout talent.

The goofyfooter started competing in Portugal’s National Championships in 2012, winning the first of her two consecutive titles in 2014. In 2013, aged just 14, she received her first wildcard to compete in the Portuguese stop of the Championship Tour. Even then her ambition was evident. “I want to be the girl version of Kelly Slater,” she said at the time.

In 2016, she became the first Portuguese female surfer to win WSL’s European Junior title, before finishing a credible 5th at the World Junior Titles. She successfully defended her European Title 2017 in her last year as a junior surfer.

With a polished, smooth style and incredible technical ability, many experts believed she would make the transition to the CT not long after moving onto the QS. She came closest in 2018, finishing inside the top 20, but hasn’t yet been able to achieve the consistency needed to make the grade.

She has however never let go of her dream. A dedicated trainer and committed professional, her hard work paid off at the 2021 ISA Games, where she secured an Olympic spot for the Tokyo Games.

Instagram: @teresabonvalot