Friedmann, Daniel (1956 – )

Laser-focused first-generation pro surfer and boardmaker from Rio de Janeiro; winner of the 1977 Waimea 5000. "Daniel was our David Nuuhiwa," Brazilian surf writer Julio Adler wrote. "Classy, arrogant, and deadly in competition."

Friedmann was born (1956) in Rio to a semi-precious stone merchant father and hotel owner mother, and began riding waves at age 10 on a homemade craft built from Styrofoam and two broomsticks. At 12, he got a secondhand Jacobs longboard imported years earlier from C...