the world surf league hosts an annual tournament in rio de janeiro called the rio pro - in 2014 the internationally recognized brazilian surfer felipe toledo was crowned chamption after an unbelievable performance - this moment was a source of national pride which has carried into a long lasting support of the group of brazilian surfers endearingly named the 'brazilian storm'.

hang gliding is another beautiful sport to watch while in rio de janeiro - tourists do not have to be hundreds of feet in the air to enjoy the beauty of hang gliding - it can be watched from any viewpoint around one of the many monoliths or praia do pepino.  hang gliders are very graceful, as they produce no sound whatsoever when they take off from the ramp on pedra bonita.