The search for Boardriders CEO Pierre Agnes has been called off due to darkness and will resume in the morning, according to sources on the ground in Hossegor.

Pierre went missing in the foggy waters off Hossegor Tuesday morning during a solo fishing excursion. He fished all the time, and it was not rare for him to go alone early in the morning before work. After his boat washed up on shore, his family and friends gathered on the beach watching the rescue efforts.

Boardriders held town hall meetings to update employees. We are told there were lots of tears, especially in St. Jean De Luz, where Pierre is a larger than life leader who built a very, very tight team.

The company issued the following statement:

“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.”

Pierre joined Quiksilver in 1988 and worked in various capacities throughout the company’s European marketing operations. Between 1992 and 2002, Pierre founded and operated Omareef Europe, a licensee of Quiksilver for wetsuits and eyewear that Quiksilver purchased in November 2002.

He served as Managing Director of Quiksilver Europe beginning in 2003, and President of Europe in 2005, according to company documents. Pierre became Global Head of Apparel in 2013, and Company President in 2014. He has been CEO since 2015.

His impact on the company is hard to put into words. He absolutely loves the Quiksilver brand, and was key in building its leadership position in Europe.

He helped navigate Quiksilver through very difficult times of late, including a bankruptcy filing, and has worked closely with new owners Oaktree Capital Management. He has been a key part of the plan to merge Boardriders and Billabong, which is in the early stages.

Pierre has become my friend over the years, and he is truly one of a kind. He’s passionate, opinionated, a fighter, smart and savvy, very observant, and excellent at reading situations.  He’s fiercely loyal to those he trusts.

Our hearts go out to his family, and the Boardriders family around the world.

 

---