This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Recently we had the pleasure of catching up with French surfer and coach Pierre Olivier “Pierro” Coutant during his stay at Xanadu.
Raised on Réunion Island and now based in south-west France, Pierro has spent his life chasing waves and sharing them with others. He’s an international adapted surfing champion with titles in Hawaii and Huntington Beach and a triple French adapted surfing champion.
When he visited us, he was on his way to the World Deaf Surfing Championships in Japan and training in Lombok for the event (where he later placed 1st in longboard and 4th in shortboard!).
Pierro has built a surf school, travelled the world and turned teaching into an art form.
What makes his story even more inspiring is that he is deaf yet reads lips in three languages while running surf trips across the globe!
José, our guest experience manager, sat down with him to talk about surfing, travel and finding freedom in the ocean.
Enjoy!
Pierre, bienvenue! It’s so good to meet you. We’re really honored to have you. How has this journey been for you? Using surfing as a way to help people improve their lives?
Hello, my name is Pierre or Pierro! Yes, I do travel a lot. In France, I have my surf school where I take people to discover new surf spots. This is my first time in Indonesia and my first time here in Lombok with my family.
I love it here. It reminds me of growing up in Réunion Island. Same climate, same waves, same water temperature. And something people don’t always know about me… I’m deaf.
I usually read lips, so for me it takes double the effort. I have to read lips, understand in English and then speak in English. It’s not always easy, but I enjoy learning.
That’s amazing. And you’re doing it in both languages? Reading lips in English and French?
Yes… even in Spanish. En serio? (laughs). I find Spanish speakers talk very fast. English speakers are smoother, but they don’t articulate much. French is somewhere in between.
Today I surfed in Mawi. We took a boat from Selong Belanak… it’s incredible. Only 30 minutes to the beach and 10 minutes by boat and we can surf perfect waves in less than an hour.
There are so many spots. More than ten to choose from.
How many spots have you surfed so far in Lombok?
In four days, I’ve surfed four different spots. One each day. Tomorrow it’ll be a bit bigger, so maybe we’ll surf Gerupuk with my family.
Gerupuk… nice. It’ll be a big day on Friday too?
Yes, it’s my favorite spot.
You’re liking Lombok then?
Yes, very much. It’s my first time here. I went to Bali once in 2005 with my parents for five days. We surfed Uluwatu, Kuta Beach and Canggu. But I prefer it here.
We do too. How has your experience been staying with us at Xanadu?
When I arrived, you welcomed me like a brother. It really feels like family here!
We’re a little away from Kuta, but only five minutes if you want to go into town. It’s peaceful and calm. Even though I’m deaf, I can feel that calm.
Here you can do everything… yoga, swim, train when there are no waves and practice on the balance board. I do the same in France.
Ah, the balance board. They’re fun, right? Sometimes I just play around with it, trying to cross-step or balance on the short one.
Yes, it’s perfect for training. And the staff here are so friendly. Everyone smiles all day, always saying hello. It really feels like one big family home.
That’s so nice to hear. I’ve seen you having such a great time, bonding with the rest of the group. It’s a really good vibe this week.
Yes, a very good group. And from my perspective, your surf coaches are doing a great job.
They’re really professional and kind to the guests.
Merci beaucoup. One last question. Why do you think someone who’s never surfed before should learn to surf? What can we gain from it?
Surfing is for everyone. There are spots for every level… beginner, intermediate and advanced. I saw waves for the kamikazes too, like at Bangko-Bangko (Desert Point), only an hour and a half away.
And your surf school. The coaches, the boards, the gear. It’s all such high quality. I would recommend it to anyone, from zero experience to competitive surfers.
You even know local boatmen who can take us to the best waves, like at Mawi. Big, hollow waves with good barrels. It’s incredible.
Merci beaucoup, Pierro. I’m so happy you and your family are having a good time.
Yes, it’s been amazing. And the people here… they’re from everywhere.
Europe, Australia, South America, California. Even some Italians and French surfers. It’s becoming such an international place.
And we’re ready to host them all. Thank you so much, Pierro.
Thank you! Now I’m going surfing. (laughs)
Go for it. See you out there!
