Copacabana surfer rides the waves - 21st July 2023

While Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach is famous for its beach life and beautiful people, its surfing culture is less renowned. For many of the surfing community, the waves here and elsewhere in the city are substandard.

Determined to prove these people wrong and keen to pursue his passion, Carioca surfer, Thiago Costa set himself the challenge of riding a tube or 'barrel' wave for 100 days.

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."

It was Costa's friends who initially encouraged him to show others the excitement of surfing in the city when they asked him to post photos of his training sessions on social media. They'd felt it might convince ex-surfers to pull out their surfboards once more.

The 100 day barrel wave challenge appears to have done precisely that for surfers like Gabriel Sodre, who's full of admiration for Costa.

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."

Despite loving his chosen sport, Costa's passion for the sea goes beyond surfing. He hopes to inspire others to take up any water sport that fills them with joy.

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."

Refusing to sit still and enjoy his achievement, Costa's now preparing to face his next self-imposed challenge - in 2024, he's intending to make it 200 days of surfing 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."

Around the globe, surfers and potential surfers will be using social media to track his progress.