Copacabana surfer rides the waves - 21st July 2023

Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro, is well-known for its beach life but isn’t usually celebrated for its surfing. Most surfers consider the waves disappointing at Copacabana and the other Rio beaches.

Thiago Costa decided to show people this wasn’t the case. His self-made challenge was to surf for 100 days on a circle-shaped, or ’barrel’ wave.

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."

Sharing photos of the big challenge on social media actually wasn’t Costa’s idea, but his friends’. They thought showing the excitement of surfing in Rio city would persuade others to start surfing again.

It seems to have worked for Gabriel Sodre, a surfer who’s found Costa’s images really exciting. For him, the pictures show Costa’s real love of 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."

However, his passion for the water isn’t limited to surfing. Costa believes it’s about encouraging people to come to the seaside and simply be active.

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."

So now Costa’s thinking ahead to 2024, when the challenge will be twice as large as his last one. He’s hoping to complete 200 days of riding barrel waves.

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."

On social media, both experienced and novice surfers everywhere will be able to follow Costa’s attempt.