Surfer shows Rio waves are great - 21st July 2023

This is Copacabana, a place which is famous for its beach life. It isn’t usually thought of as a popular surfing destination. Many surfers believe its waves aren’t good enough.

Thiago Costa disagreed. He challenged himself to find and ride a ’barrel’ wave – a wave shaped like a circle.

Thiago Costa: "I think the barrel wave is the magic moment of surfing. Of course, you have other different tricks, but I think that that moment when you're surrounded by the wave is like – it gives me a feeling of being reborn. It's like I'm stepping out of Mother Nature's womb, starting life all over again."

Costa was encouraged by his friends to show others about surfing in Rio. They asked him to post photos on social media. They thought it might help those surfers who’d stopped.

And it’s worked. The 100-day barrel wave challenge made surfer Gabriel Sodre interested because he can see how much Costa loves the sport.

Gabriel Sodre: "The guy gets a barrel wave every day. He is an inspiration for us. Sometimes at home, I get discouraged from surfing, feeling lazy. But when I see Thiago posting his barrels of the day that's it. It's a very cool energy. He's always on the search. You can see in his face that he does it out of love. That's what matters. Surfing brings us life. It makes us young."

For Costa, it’s about getting people in the water, doing something which makes them happy. There are plenty of water sports to choose from.

Thiago Costa: "If I can inspire someone to practise sports, at sea, whether it's paddle boarding, bodysurfing, bodyboarding or surfing, I think the mission will be accomplished."

Now Costa’s planning his next challenge. In 2024, he hopes to surf 200 barrel waves. It’ll be hard, but he says surfing’s always a challenge, like life.

Thiago Costa: "Last year, I lost my camera. I'll see if I'll buy a new one to start 2024. I might reach 200 barrels. I think it's difficult but let's try. I think that's the challenge. Life is always an eternal challenge. Surfing is also a challenge."

New and experienced surfers anywhere will be able to follow Costa via social media.