Growing up surrounded by world class waves in of surfing's true international mecca's, Rio Waida is the first Indonesian to qualify for the World Championship Tour, but certainly not the last. According to Indonesian locals, the explosion of youth talent in the regionlately is called "The Rio Effect."
Born to a Japanese mother and Indonesian father, Rio moved to Bali when he was 5 years old. Silver Medalist at the SEA Games in the Phillipines, Rio started to collect WSL trophies young, winning multiple events in Indonesia, then moving onto the Challenger Series, winning in South Africa at the Ballito Pro and at the Sydney Surf Pro, earning his spot on the ‘CT.
If there were any questions about his abilities at Teahupo'o, Rio put in an impressive performance at the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro-where he was finally taken down by a particularly in-form John John Florence in the quarterfinals.