IN CONVERSATION WITH PEDRO SCOOBY

Interview by JANA LETONJA

Pedro Scooby, the 2024 Nazaré Big Wave Challenge Champion in Team’s best performance, is a natural surfing talent from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Throughout his career, Pedro has traveled to renowned surf destinations and won various big wave competitions, earning respect from fellow surfers and fans around the world. He is known as one of the world’s most prominent big wave surfers.

You’ve just won the 2024 Nazaré Big Wave Challenge Champion in Team’s best performance with your colleague Lucas ‘Chumbo’ Chianca. How does it feel to be on top and win such a championship?

It was a very special and unforgettable moment. I was very sick in the days leading up to the competition, I could barely get out of bed, but surfing is my life so I had overcome this adversity and did my best with Lucas, who is a great friend and one of the best in the world, and we did it.

How did your career in surfing start, what inspired you to pursue it professionally?

I started surfing when I was 5 years old and at first it was more just for fun, just a hobby. Over the years, I fell in love with the sport and realized that I had a certain talent, so why not make it as my job. That’s when I started dedicating myself more and more and became a professional surfer.

Surfing is a high risk sport. How do you mentally overcome the risk of it and the scare it might present?

I often say that fear is something that everyone feels. Of course I feel scared sometimes, but that feeling also hypes me up. As funny as this may sound, I feel even more alive when I’m close to dangerous situations, to limits. It’s something that feeds me to improve.

When you’re out in the water, waiting to catch the perfect wave, how do you pick the wave or know it is going to be a good one?

After surfing for so many years, you learn how to read the waves, understand the wind, the tides, the right board to use for each type of wave, etc. However, you have to be aware and respect the nature, which changes all the time and that’s the beauty of it.

What do you love the most about surfing and how does riding a wave make you feel?

When I’m surfing, I forget about everything. I try to connect as much as possible with the present moment and enjoy every second of it. It is a feeling of freedom, of being part of nature, of being immersed in the world. It´s the best feeling ever.

In your rich career you’ve won various competitions. Which moment made the most lasting impact on you so far, and why?

I think the most recent title is the one that stands out the most, even more so with all the circumstances and adversities that were part of this last championship. It was a very proud moment for me, for the team and it made me really happy and satisfied.

If you had to pick your favorite surfing destination, which one would it be and why?

Indonesia, for sure. I love that place.

What about your favorite competition, which one do you always look forward to the most?

Nazaré is the most special place to compete, it is the place that people relate to when thinking of big waves. And for me especially, I used to live in Portugal, so it’s a place that I also have a particular connection to.

Your fans have also been able to watch you in the reality competition ‘Exathlon Brazil’. How was that experience for you? Would you ever do it again?

It was a challenge, an experience that I had never had before, but I really enjoy competing in anything, so I was really excited about it and had a lot of fun. I don’t know if I would participate in another reality show again, but it was a great experience.

What is coming up next for you this year? Which competitions will we be seeing you at? Are there also any other projects you’re currently working on?

A lot of good things are coming this year and I’m very excited about it. I’m going to continue competing and also presenting my program ‘PodPah Visita’, in which I interview famous people at their house. I will be a commentator during the Olympic Games for CazeTV and many other plans are being developed as well.

TEAM CREDITS
talent PEDRO SCOOBY
photographer RICARDO ABRAHAO
stylist FELIPPE SCHIAVELLI
creative direction LUCAS TEIXEIRA
creative director’s assistant BERNARDO SANTOS
styling assistant MARCO ANTONIO
groomer RODRIGO CAETANO
graphic design PEDRO PARIS
retouching LEANDRO SOARES
editor TIMI LETONJA
interview JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN