1998
Roots to the south
Born in Faro on June 2nd. Yolanda Hopkins Sequeira, daughter of a Portuguese father, passionate about the sea, and a Welsh mother. He grew up in the Algarve and it was in the south of Portugal that he had his first contact with the waves.
2006
A lesson for the rest of your life
The surf teacher wanted the eight-year-old girl next to the sand, with a bodyboard. But Yolanda had other plans and swam beyond the surf, to where the surfers were. He stood up in the first wave and never stopped.
2016
Heading to the coast
After ten years living in Vilamoura, he moved to Sines to be able to train and compete on a more regular basis. It was around this time that he began working with coach John Tranter, a Brit who has a surf school in the area. A relationship that continues to this day.
2019
National champion
Even without money, and with only the support of her family and coach, Yolanda takes risks in international competitions. He achieved good results in England and Morocco and closed 2019 with victory in the national surfing championship. The girl from the Algarve already had her foot in the door.
2020
Olympic dream
Surfing’s debut as an Olympic sport finds Yolanda with more victories, but still no sponsorship. He travels to Japan in the Portuguese delegation and returns from the Games with fifth place and the hope of joining the first division of world surfing, the WCT circuit.
2023
Europe at your feet
First, the pandemic robbed him of entry into the WCT, due to a matter of points and new rules. Then the father died. These were difficult years, Yolanda also started working with a psychologist. The result came next, with the victory of the European title.
2024
Almost, almost, almost
It was the year it should have happened, after two ISA world runner-up finishes — unrelated to the professional circuit — and another 9th place at the Paris Olympics. Unlike this year, the Brazilian stage in 2024 did not go as everyone expected.
2025
Good luck Brazil
By reaching the semi-finals of the Saquarema Pro, he guaranteed entry into the WCT circuit, the elite of world surfing. But he didn’t rest and saved the party for the last day, winning the championship in Brazil. A perfect two in one for the 27-year-old surfer.