World and Olympic surfing champion Italo Ferreira has a new powerhouse addition to his team for the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) season. The athlete has enlisted the experienced Leandro “Grilo” Dora as his new head coach, effective immediately starting with the Margaret River Pro in Australia. According to Italo, the partnership aims to bolster his strategic, technical, and emotional performance throughout the tour.
A meeting with Dora during the first leg of the Australian season at Bells Beach sparked a new strategic vision for Italo. A long-time admirer of Grilo’s work and extensive pedigree in the sport, the world champion invited Leandro to take on this new professional challenge.
“I started this season without a coach and I felt vulnerable and even insecure, not just technically but emotionally as well. I found myself having to perform while simultaneously thinking about strategy, analyzing waves, scores, and heats. That’s when I decided to change my approach," Italo explained. "I’ve always respected Leandro’s work. I believe he is an incredibly experienced professional who has been on the circuit for years. He has so much to offer my career.”
A Full Roster for 2026
In the 2026 season, Leandro Dora is already responsible for training American Lakey Peterson and Brazilian Luana Silva. In the men’s category, Grilo coaches Brazilian Matheus Herdy, who debuted on the tour this year. The invitation from Italo came at the perfect time, as Dora still had one open slot in his men's roster.
“When he called me, it was incredible—given the athlete he is and the history he has made,” Dora commented. “His talent and the commitment he puts into everything he has achieved is inspiring. It is very gratifying to be called upon to work together. I’ve been a fan of his surfing for a long time, observing his dedication within the competitive environment over the years.”
Immediate Start at Margaret River
Regarding the next steps, Italo explained that the work begins at the upcoming Australian stop in Margaret River. With the event window opening this Thursday (16th), the focus is on adaptation and building a foundation throughout the season.
"Since we didn't have time during the pre-season, we will be figuring out the workflow and seeing how it evolves long-term," Ferreira stated. "I believe that with his experience and methodology, we can refine specific areas to improve my heat progression and win events. We know that surfing well isn't enough; you have to understand the 'game.' That makes all the difference in the end."
New Challenges and Strategy
Dora believes the primary challenges will involve enhancing technical performance and tactics to extract even more from an athlete who is already at a world-class level.
“I’ve worked with many different athlete profiles over the years, gaining the insight to identify exactly how I can add to their performance to bring consistency and enthusiasm,” the coach noted. “It’s a long season at a very high level. Initially, we will find our harmony so I can act on the technical side as well as the human and mental aspects.”
Looking at the potential of the partnership, Dora concluded by analyzing the 2026 rule changes and how they might benefit Italo. “With the year-end ranking format and the higher point weight for the Pipeline final, I believe Italo has a significant advantage given his history in those conditions. He is a complete athlete. Together, we can streamline decisions and strategies to reach his peak performance throughout the season.”
