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Silvana Lima, 8-time best female surfer in Brazil who also came in second in the 2008 and 2009 world championships was not sponsored for the first 13 years of her career because she was told that she wasn't hot enough.
"If you don't look like a model, you end up without a sponsor, which is what happened to me," Lima told BBC News.
Prior to gaining sponsorship in 2015, Lima worked breeding bulldogs to raise money for her surf trips and competitions. She said puppies paid for her trip to New Zealand, where she won her first competition.
Lima has been around the industry for a long time, and as many would say, she's been slaying it. She's competed in pro tournaments and world cup championships around the world. Take a look at her competition record here.
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Hopefully, after the coverage from BBC I'm not the first one to say this: Silvana Lima is a babe, and the surf industry was sorely mistaken. It should be indisputable that a woman who is as driven, as bad ass, and as talented as Lima is sponsor-worthy, regardless of looks.
Real beauty is not skin deep, Lima – we hope you continue to set a great example for the next generation of lady surfers!! Keep kicking ass!
