We met Brilhante in Praia das Milícias, on a very windy day, waves blown out, but he was down putting up his buoys. After having finished, he invited us to his farm, located just off the city center of Ponta Delgada, a farm that was inherited from his family and that holds a lot of stories of hardship, tears and love.
With the back sound of chickens and under a 100 year-old avocado tree, we started our conversation about science, waves and "crazy" surfboards. One of the first shapers and surfers of the island, Brilhante is someone very easy to talk to. He can spend time (or forget about time) talking, and talking, about all the things that make his non-stop curious mind think about.
Who are you?
If I say that I’m something temporary, then I’m not lying, because as I’m in constant transformation and keeping the law up to the tiniest action, that is, entropy, it is impossible to be something... so my fate of what “I am” will be total disintegration into a state other than “NOTHING”.
If being nothing is just energy, so when I experience such an enigmatic reality, an existence arises in me characterized by a constant adjustment in search of harmony.
How’s life on the Island?
It’s a frightful paradise. On one hand, there’s the imposing nature, with the sea, the volcanoes and a very dynamic atmosphere, and, on the other, there’s a very fragile ecosystem, on which, in a way, we depend on to survive. It’s this reality that, on one way, gives me an enormous pleasure to live here, but it also is a huge challenge and concern for the sustainability of this system.
Favorite place?
Milícias Beach.
Hobbies?
Surf, science and creativity.
Favorite object?
The last surfboard I made.
One song / one band
Mozart.
What’s been keeping busy?
Agriculture and science.
If you could pick two people (alive or dead) one to surf with and one to have dinner or conversation, who would they be? Why?
Regarding surfing, I would choose someone who would represent “surf as a WHOLE”, broad to the reality of the sea at the time. That way, it would be easier for me to build a harmonious relationship, thus making a good contribution to our surf and surf culture.
For dinner, I would choose a new girlfriend and also some old shoes, because a new girlfriend is a joy in itself, that so, I wouldn’t have to worry about my feet!!
What haven’t we asked you?
Yes. If, when I go to dinner at my friends’ house, I have to take my own plate, cutlery and glass?
To know more about João Brilhante, or repair surfboards, take private surf classes, help in the farm or to just have a beer and talk about the science of the waves, you can find him normally in the low tide in Praia das Milícias or send a message to +351 918 247 886