Professional longboarder Victoria Vergara has transitioned from international competitive surfing to entrepreneurship with the launch of her swimwear brand, vivi by victoria. Raised in the French overseas department of Reunion Island, Vergara built her career through years of design collaborations with major surf brands before establishing her own independent label. Her recent projects include a technical apparel and hardware partnership with the French retailer Decathlon.
Early Life and Evolution on Reunion Island
Victoria Vergara’s surfing foundation was established in the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean. Born to surfer parents in mainland France, she moved to New Caledonia at age four, where she began surfing. Following advice provided to her family by the father of professional surfer Jeremy Flores, she relocated to Reunion Island.
Vergara identifies Reunion Island as her home, describing the location as a cultural melting pot. While the island provided the environment for her to develop from a “frothy tomboy” into a professional longboarder, it also presented significant challenges. During her youth, the island became known for a series of shark attacks, which led to a long-term ban on surfing at many local beaches. Vergara, who moved to mainland France at 18, has spoken openly about the trauma associated with that period and the loss of friends to the shark crisis. Today, safety protocols have improved, and surfing has resumed, though the history remains a defining part of her background.
The Launch of vivi by victoria
Vergara founded her brand, vivi by victoria, following years of experience designing collections for brands such as Rip Curl. She credits the nickname “Vivi,” given to her by the family of professional surfers the Gudauskas brothers, as the inspiration for the brand name.
The brand launched its first swimwear line last month. According to Vergara, swimwear was the most logical starting point for her company because it is the apparel she wears most frequently while surfing and the category in which she feels most confident as a designer. Her design process involves a focus on fit and fabric, often informed by her own experiences and feedback from other women in the surfing community.
Technical Collaborations and Industry Presence
Beyond her signature line, Vergara has partnered with the French sporting goods retailer Decathlon. The collaborative collection, titled vivi × Decathlon, includes:
- Bikinis and swimsuit tops
- Skirts equipped with technical pockets
- Lifestyle accessories, including umbrellas and towels
- A co-branded soft-top surfboard
The collection is currently available at Decathlon flagship stores in major European cities, including Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, and Rome. Vergara stated she chose to collaborate with the retailer because they provided her with full creative control over the designs.
Challenging the “Influencer” Label
Vergara has actively pushed back against being categorized as an “influencer” rather than a professional athlete. The distinction became a public point of contention several years ago during a longboarding event in Abu Dhabi, where an announcer introduced her using the term. Vergara later clarified on social media that she views her online presence as a secondary component of her career, noting that she does not receive payment for her posts in the way a traditional influencer does. She maintains that her primary identity remains that of a professional surfer, and she emphasizes that her social media activity is an organic byproduct of her travel and competition schedule rather than a calculated career focus.
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