The speedboat belonging to Quiksilver CEO Pierre Agnes lays ashore on the beach of Hossegor, southwestern France. Photo / AP
Surfing icon Kelly Slater has described his despair after the search was called off for the multi-millionaire boss of Quiksilver, who has been missing at sea since Tuesday.
Pierre Agnes, 54, chief executive of the American surfing brand, was last seen venturing out at around 7.30am on Tuesday for a
routine fishing trip before contacting the local harbour master to say he was delaying his return because of fog, a source close to the rescue team told AFP.
His empty boat washed up shortly after 9.15am at Hossegor, a famed surfing spot about 30km (20 miles) north of Biarritz, local authorities said in a statement.
The area is known for intense, sometimes dangerous waves that are prized by surfers.
Three helicopters and two boats were used to search for Agnes after dark but searches on land were suspended.
