Celebrating Pierre Agnes

Hundreds of people gathered in the street outside the 500-year-old church. They were from all over the world. They wore jackets and scarves and solemn eyes on a cold, grey Friday morning. They were there to celebrate the life of Pierre Agnes.  

On January 30, Pierre, the CEO of Quiksilver, went fishing and never came back. His boat washed up at France’s premier wave, La Graviere, and an extensive search was conducted by French marine authorities. His body was never found.

For those close to Pierre, the days and weeks that followed felt surreal at times and sobering at others. It was decided that February 9th would be dedicated to bringing the community together to honor the man that connected them all.

Family and close friends filled the Saint Nicolas church in Pierre’s hometown of Capbreton. Outside, on the street, was the international crowd of people with solemn eyes. There was a proper security presence. The event was attended by Kelly Slater and a handful of French politicians. A large screen and sound system were set up outside so the crowd gathered outside could watch the proceedings within the beyond-capacity church’s ancient walls.  

A Basque choir filled the air with song, large booming voices that came together to form a powerful unified voice, one that could sing in any language and still be understood to every soul present.

Pierre’s children took to the altar to share some thoughts about their beloved father. The crowd was visibly moved to tears.

A number of Pierre’s friends and family also spoke, including former and current CT surfers Miky Picon and Jeremy Flores.

Pierre had been like a father to the two men — he was like a father to many. He truly wanted everyone to strive to be their best. That was the effect he had on people.

As the ceremony neared its finish, a short tribute video played. It’s worth mentioning that Pierre ripped, but wasn’t the type that cared about being filmed.

Still, a few clips had been collected of him over the years. He seemed to love a certain line — the ol’ fade straight, hook a late bottom turn to ditch all your speed, and set up for the tube.

Classic.

After church, everybody gathered near the ocean in Capbreton. Friends told stories about their old friend, laughing and crying about a man who believed in the impossible. No one has ever made such an impact—on those he touched as a friend or colleague, on Capbreton, his hometown he loved so dearly, on Quiksilver, and on European surfing as a whole.

Pierre may be gone now, his body lost forever to the ocean he loved so dearly, but his presence is still in the surfing community here, living in the world that he built.