Not only because he won two world titles (2011 and 2016) – he could’ve easily won many more – but also because of what he represents to 20th-century bodyboarding.
The affable Frenchman is one of the most popular riders among Generation X, Generation Y and Millennials, which results in a broad legion of fans, followers, and admirers.
Costes seems to have always balanced well his emotional and rational sides while in and out of the water.
He is also one of the few bodyboarders to have signed a long-term sponsorship deal with Rip Curl, a company traditionally associated with surfing.
Pierre-Louis also has a signature move. His enormous backflip stunts are deeply appreciated and always seem to emerge when they’re really needed.
A Rare Move
But what drives Costes to success is his love of the sport.
“It’s no secret. There’s not much money involved in our sport. We mostly do it by passion because you won’t become rich,” notes Costes.
“I go to the ocean every day. I didn’t discover bodyboarding because of the internet or because I’ve seen it in a magazine. I discovered it because I’ve seen these people on the beach.”
In a rare move, Pierre-Louis Costes partnered with Australia’s Movement Magazine to produce a coffee table book accompanied by a feature-length movie.
Directed by Gustavo Imigrante, the film features himself, but also some of his friends and opponents Amaury Lavernhe, Nick Gornall, Tanner McDaniel, Mike Stewart, Ben Player, Jeff Hubbard, Dave Winchester, Jared Houston and many more.
In 52 minutes, Costes shares his thoughts on the ten waves that made him the bodyboarder and person he is today.
The 134-page, limited edition hardcover book is a constructive reflection of the movie. It features photos by Josh Tabone and words by Jake Dean.
This unlikely media production sees the light of day precisely 20 years after Costes got in touch with the sport, for the first time, in Morocco.
Hopefully, the next two decades will see him changing the future of bodyboarding, one wave at a time.
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