Antonio, all-season surfer
“I surf because it’s an integral part of who I am. Winter surfing started out of necessity but now I do it because I love the feeling of surfing empty waves on the Great Lakes and other parts of Canada.”
Growing up as a queer man in southern Brazil, Antonio Lennert endured bullying and prejudice throughout his youth.
“Surfing has been a part of my life since I was a little kid,” he says.
After finding refuge in Toronto in his 20s, Antonio learned that it was possible to surf on Lake Ontario.
Over the last decade, Antonio has carved a name for himself in the local surfing scene and epitomizes someone who moves for change.
As co-founder and CEO of Surf the Greats (which he founded with his late partner Lucas Murnaghan ), Antonio actively works towards creating a more inviting surfing scene through many of his community events ranging from garbage clean-ups to polar bear dips with Jack.org in the name of mental health.
On April 20th 2024, this close-knit community surf shop will close its doors, so join us in honouring Antonio and all that he has done for the surf communities not only in Toronto, but across Canada.
“I surf because it’s an integral part of who I am. Winter surfing started out of necessity but now I do it because I love the feeling of surfing empty waves on the Great Lakes and other parts of Canada." says Antonio.