A Academia João Rodrigues visa criar as condições para que todos os interessados possam explorar o maior campo de jogos disponível na Região, em segurança e conforto. Born in Madeira Island, he became the first Portuguese athlete to participate in seven consecutive Olympic Games, always in the windsurfing discipline, from Barcelona 92 until Rio 2016, where he had the honour of being the flag beare
r for Portugal. He was also World Champion in the Masters Division in 2018 and 2023. João Rodrigues also won the European Championship for 7 times, in 1994, 1996, 1997, 2008, 2018, 2022 and 2023. In 2011, when he was 40 years old, he crossed from Madeira Island to Selvagens Islands in a windsurfing board, in a total distance of 163 nautical miles, in 10 hours, therefore celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first Natural Reserve created in Portugal, at Selvagens. Has a degree in Mechanical Engineering, from Instituto Superior Técnico, in Lisbon (1996). He was appointed Regional Diretor for Youth by the Regional Government of Madeira, from 2020 until 2023. Was Chair of the Athletes Commission from the National Olympic Committee in Portugal, from 2017 to 2022, and an Olympic Attaché in Tokyo 2020. He was member of the Executive Committee of the National Olympic Committee in Portugal, since 2022 until 2025. João is the author of four books: Crónicas de um Velejador, 2008; Vagabundo dos Mares, 2013; A Travessia, 2021; Oito, os Jogos Olímpicos por dentro, 2022. He’s also author and speaker in numerous events in Portugal and abroad. João was involved in different sailing projects with Portuguese Teams, namely in the Extreme 40, in 2016 and 2017, and in the SSL Team Portugal, from 2020 until the end of 2023. He’s currently embracing a new personal project that aims to promote a nautical culture in Madeira Island.
