Gabriel Medina Announces Baby with Partner Isabella Arantes
Brazilian surf icon Gabriel Medina may have been sidelined this season due to injury, but his life outside the water is making waves of its own. The three-time World Surf League Champion has just announced that he’s going to be a father with his partner, Isabella Arantes — and, true to Medina’s playful spirit, the reveal was both creative and heartwarming.
The Announcement
Medina shared the news through a clever social media post that instantly sent his fans — and much of Brazil — into celebration mode. Instead of a traditional ultrasound photo, Medina uploaded an image showing a baby paddling on a surfboard inside the womb.
The post had no caption — it didn’t need one. The message was clear: a new little surfer is on the way.
Brazilian entertainment outlet Play Views later confirmed the news, translating Medina’s understated reveal:
> “Gabriel Medina and Isabella Arantes announced this Sunday (19) that they are expecting their first child. The surfer posted a photo hugging his girlfriend’s belly and shared an ultrasound showing a baby on a surfboard. Medina also chose Justin Bieber’s song ‘Mother in You,’ composed in honor of the singer’s son, Jack Blues, to accompany the announcement.”
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From the Lineup to Fatherhood
Medina, 31, missed the 2025 WSL Championship Tour after suffering a pectoral muscle injury early in the year. While fans waited for his competitive comeback, he’s spent time focusing on recovery — and now, family life.
His relationship with Isabella Arantes, a Brazilian dancer, model, and TV personality, became public only two months ago when the pair went “Instagram official.” Arantes is also the founder of the swimwear line Bella Bikinis, and she’s been a regular feature alongside Medina in recent weeks.
The couple has since been spotted riding ATVs on the beach, posing under heart-shaped sculptures, and even attending a star-studded NFL exhibition in Brazil. Now, the pair has reached an even bigger milestone — expecting their first child together.
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The Surf World Reacts
As soon as the post went live, messages of congratulations flooded in from fans, celebrities, and fellow surfers. Among them:
“Whaaat!!! Congrats my brother. You’ll be an amazing dad.” – Mick Fanning
“Yea brother congrats.” – Jack Robinson
“Better be a goofy foot.” – Strider Wasilewski
The comments section quickly became a wave of love from across the global surf community.
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A New Chapter for Medina
For Medina — one of Brazil’s most decorated athletes and a global surfing ambassador — this announcement marks the beginning of a new chapter. From the world’s biggest barrels to the joys (and challenges) of fatherhood, it seems the champion is ready to embrace every swell life brings his way.
As his fans know, Gabriel Medina has always thrived in the face of change. Whether it’s carving through Pipeline or navigating personal milestones, he does it with style, heart, and a little touch of showmanship.
Congratulations to Gabriel and Isabella — and to the next generation of Brazilian surf royalty on the way. 🌊💙👶