Now Free: Sam Piter’s ‘Rogue DNA’ SEOTY Entry

In the not so distant past, European surfing belonged to Portugal, Spain, France, and Russell Winter.

Spearheading the French contingent throughout much of the 1990s was Didier Piter. The goofyfoot found plenty of success both domestically and on the European tour, and cut his teeth winter after winter at Pipeline, where he built a reputation as a heavy, hollow-left specialist.

In September 2023, at the Quiksilver Festival in France, a long, ropey grom paddled out into a lineup of mostly Snapt5 stars. He was riding a G-Skate for the first time. The day was reserved for twin fins, though everyone but Josh Kerr was cheating with 2 + 1s.

The offshore winds carried hoots from shore into the warm Landaise waters. Many were triggered by the kinds of things Clay Marzo was doing on a surfboard. But somehow, on these clean, playful peaks, most of the cheers were for Sam Piter, who I came to find out then and there was Didier’s adult-sized son.

Sam’s success isn’t exactly a second act for Didier, but the timing and setting suggest he might soon eclipse his father’s legacy. The road’s still long, but each step so far has been surefooted.

Some might remember Sam from Stab Highway Europe, where he carried the green bandana alongside Maud Le Car, Kyllian Guerin, and William Aliotti. But Rogue DNA — which was made possible by Billabong — feels like his real coming-out party. His entry into adulthood, and his surfing’s unveiling to a wider audience.

And while a French summer doesn’t leave a 21-year-old much idle time, I caught Sam for a quick chat about where life’s at right now. I didn’t have the heart to keep him from it for long — he had to head to Lacanau, grind through six QS 2000 heats, win the event, and take the lead in the 2025/26 European Qualifying Series rankings.

Are you currently home?
No, I’m at the beach.

Is Hossegor home for you?
Yes.

What did you eat for lunch today?
I’m just ordering now — duck hearts. Les Landes special.

Do you eat fast food?
Yup, I do.

Do you drink a lot of water?
Not really.

Do you drink a lot of coffee?
One in the morning, and an espresso martini when I go out.

Do you exercise?
Yes.

What do you think about when you exercise?
I try not to think too much, but something positive to make the suffering go away.

Do you play golf?
Not anymore. I did my back once because I missed the ball.

Does your father play golf?
A little bit, when he has time.

How often do you get distracted by the internet?
Whenever I lay on my couch.

Do you ever worry about your screen time?
Nah.

Have you been blocked by any surfers on instagram?
Not that I know of.

Do you look at surf media?
Not too much.

Do you have a favorite surfer?
Rob Machado for style, Dane Reynolds for innovation, and Marc Lacomare for power and barrel riding.

What do you think Dane Reynolds’ iPhone password is?
0000.

Would you feel comfortable lending 200€ to Marc Lacomare?
Yes, but maybe not at night.

How much money do you have in your wallet?
Only my credit card and 200,000 Indonesian Rupiah.

How much would your sponsor have to pay you to move to Germany?
Lots of money, but I think I would still not do it.

Do you sometimes watch German surf contests?
No, but they invade my local break.

Where do you surf the most?
Les Culs Nus (the naked asses) beach.

What’s your favorite wave in the world?
Desert Point, or Les Culs Nus when it’s on.

What’s your next surf trip?
Nothing planned yet, but I want to go on a strike mission somewhere in Africa.

When was the last time you used a physical map for directions?
When I visited a park in Tokyo.

Do you want to get on the CT?
That would be sick.

Which wave do you think you’d do best at?
Portugal, or Lowers.

Which surfer on tour do you think would be the hardest to beat?
Yago Dora.

And the easiest?
I don’t know, everyone is gnarly!

Where will you surf next?
Les Culs Nus tomorrow morning.

What’s your favorite board at the moment?
A 5’7 asym twinny by my friend Breki (Vincent Brecqueville).

What’s your favourite Jack McCoy film?
Blue Horizon.

Name two Foo Fighters songs. No cheating.
Who are the Foo Fighters?

What are your beauty secrets?
Sun and salt, I guess. Just spending entire days at the beach. 

What’s the worst advice you’ve been given?
“You should rest.”

What’s the worst advice you’ve ever given?
Anytime I was drunk, probably.

Do you actually have a manager?
I just got one this year.

What’s his morning routine like?
Nothing has changed.

Where do you see yourself in five days’ time?
At a festival in Biarritz.

What’s the worst question you’ve ever been asked?
“Are you from Australia?”