On Wednesday, French Authorities called off the search for Quiksilver CEO Pierre Agnes after his boat washed up on a French beach. Photo: Instagram/Pierre Agnes
On Tuesday we reported heavy news coming out of France. A 36-foot boat belonging to longtime Quiksilver CEO Pierre Agnes, 54, washed up on La Gravière beach in Hossegor, France. Agnes was nowhere to be found.
French authorities initiated a search that was suspended at 9:22 p.m. on Tuesday night and resumed Wednesday morning at 7:45 a.m. After hours of searching, French Authorities called off the search at 2:35 p.m.
In a Tuesday press release, Boardriders Inc., the umbrella company of Quiksilver, DC, and Roxy, released the following information:
“Early this morning our CEO, Pierre Agnes, did what he did many mornings and went fishing on his beloved boat to start his day. Later in the morning his boat was recovered on the beach near his hometown and Pierre has not been heard from since. The Boardriders family and entire surfing world are devastated by this news. Given the situation on the ground is still evolving, our statements today will be limited. We are concentrating on working with the local authorities on the search and rescue effort and supporting Pierre’s family. Please keep Pierre and his family in your prayers. Thank you.”
Beyond mentioning that the company is still holding out hope that Agnes will be found, Boardriders was unable to give any additional information.
According to reports, local police will still patrol the coastline looking for any sign of Agnes.
Lieutenant Colonel Christophe Triollet told NBC that teams are searching for “clues which could have washed up along the beaches.”
“Other than that, we also continue our investigation to try to understand…the circumstances of his disappearance…and to reconstruct the timeline and the facts to better understand the situation.”
The wider surf world is reeling from the news, and hoping for a miracle.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday, longtime Quiksilver-rider Kelly Slater explained, “I love this man. @pierre_agnes went missing in Hossegor today when his boat washed ashore in the cold, early morning fog. I’m praying for a miracle but it’s just starting to hit me what a profound effect this man had on my life and the surf community at large. He loved his morning fishing trips, family, @quiksilver, surfing, friends, motorbikes, Capbreton…I’m not even sure how to let it sink in.”
