Surfing at Tahiti 2024

[Sir Rols]

This is a bit belated, but it seems the issues regarding the Teahupo’o venue and the judging tower have been resolved. The answer - a smaller aluminium tower.

Revised Teahupo’o Olympic Judging Tower Backed by French Polynesian President

 

Just on four months to go, though. They beter get cracking on building that thing!

Edited February 8, 2024 by Sir Rols

[baron-pierreIV]

Would a re-designed and smaller version of the tower to something like this be less "offensive"?   I mean, how can you be less French than this?  
 

It's even included in the 2 medals they will be givng outin POlynesia . . . 

[Sir Rols]

One week out, the forecast is looking good for the start of surfing at Teahopo’o

Forecast Update: Teahupo’o Olympics , Ten Days Out

[Sir Rols]

I thought surfing was supposed to be on now? But I’ve got no feed for it. Anyone know if it’s on right now or not?

[Bear]

19 minutes ago, Sir Rols said:

I thought surfing was supposed to be on now? But I’ve got no feed for it. Anyone know if it’s on right now or not?

no, i think it starts at 7 AM local time July 27 (it is currently 2 PM July 26 over there)

[Sir Rols]

D’oh. I forgot about a little thing called the International Date Line. Kept subconsciously thinking it was one event in a great time zone for me.

Can’t wait t see the break at Teahupo-o. The waves at Tokyo were not that impressive.

How ou bearing up, btw @Bear? Covid not knocking you flat?

[Bear]

24 minutes ago, Sir Rols said:

How ou bearing up, btw @Bear? Covid not knocking you flat?

doing significantly better than yesterday, that's for sure. feels like a decent cold now, which i'm assuming is thanks to the boosters i've been up-to-date with (vaccines work, people!). thanks for the concern 🙂

[StefanMUC]

Not sure if this belongs in the German team thread or here (or some might say it qualifies for the hot bod section)?

https://x.com/bertiemathers/status/1817249837538062744?s=46&t=gplp3yLYx26445hjltwmnQ

[Sir Rols]

The sheer check of the German 

I’ve go the surfing on as I catch up on happenings here - it’s live and nice and relaxing to have in the background.

Gotta say, it sure vindicates going to Teahupo-o. The crustal clear turquoise water, the dramatic mountains in the background, the quality of the waves - proper tubes. This is how surfing should be showcased at the Olympics!

Edited July 27, 2024 by Sir Rols

[sebastien1214]

Forced to watch in the middle of the night events that are in my own country... the end of the world is near!

More seriously, Tahiti is incredible. The waves already look much better than in Tokyo and yet I don't have the impression that they are impressive compared to the usual standard of Teahupoo.

[sebastien1214]

Currently watching the events at Teahupoo again. So far the most impressive waves since the start of the competition, with even a 4m high wave for Kauli Vaast! And with the backdrop of Tahiti, it's still incredible. If only it could make LA want to relocate their surfing events to Hawaii...

[FYI]

1 hour ago, sebastien1214 said:

And with the backdrop of Tahiti, it's still incredible. If only it could make LA want to relocate their surfing events to Hawaii...

On 10/19/2023 at 6:48 PM, FYI said:

“If the argument is the quality & reliability of the waves, then why is L.A. 2028 hosting surfing in Venice? As I mentioned earlier, even surfing enthusiests aren't thrilled with the site. The comparison of "it's like throwing artificial snow at a garbage heap & let the best skiers in the world have at it" are made.

There are better alternatives even within California. And if it's about the 'backdrop for Olympic TV' (which surfing ATM isn't even a marquee Olympic event yet), Hawaii has spots that hold international surfing competition with waves the best in the world as well. L.A. 2028 should’ve went there instead (again if it's really about the quality & reliability of the waves). Can't get much more picturesque than that!”

 

From the “remove surfing’24 from Tahiti” thread in the Paris 2024 sports/events subsection.

[sebastien1214]

Not photoshopped.

[Sir Rols]

4 hours ago, sebastien1214 said:

If only it could make LA want to relocate their surfing events to Hawaii...

It’s not on the plans, but that likely is a missed opportunity. What an opportunity to honour the contribution to surfing’s development by an Olympic medallist, Duke Kahanamoku.

[yoshi]

How is that picture actually happening lol. Yeah I hadn't thought of Hawaii. Seems obvious. If you can have canoeing in Oklahoma you can have surfing in Hawaii 

[Sir Rols]

I thought I’d watch an hour or so of it today, then switch to something else. But this is mesmerising - just can’t pull myself away. What a difference a wave makes.

[Sir Rols]

Hopefully the surfing finally gets going again today (tomorrow my time).

while we wait…

Jack Robinson forced to change board design before Olympic surfing finals

Robinson had a rising sign on his board. A Brazilian also had to remove his board art:

Brazilian Joao Chianca was reportedly told by Olympic officials to remove an depiction of the famous Christ The Redeemer statue from his surfboard. In a subsequently-deleted Instagram, Chianca explained that he was forced to remove the image after being told “Christ is a religious figure” and the “Games have strict rules and focus on total neutrality”.

[Sir Rols]

I‘ve been waiting for this for days…

And the Teahupo‘o local takes out the men‘s 🏅 

Kauli Vaast wins for France (and that first 9.5 wave was a real blinder), while the wave gods never really gave Oz‘s Jack Robinson a chance to reply and advance from silver.

And now for women‘s gold (USA v Brazil)

You need to be patient, but this has been one of my favourite events at the games. Not non-stop action, but when it came it was spectacular. Between times, very zen and mesmerising and retry land and seascapes. Good for chilling out. Great decision to go to Tahiti.

[SportLightning]

Thank you Tahiti for a fantastic surfing competitions.

[Sir Rols]

And a much more nailbiting end for the women…

That was close but USA hangs on over Brazil.

[Sir Rols]

If you get a chance t watch the medal ceremony, I‘d recommend it. One of my favourites - starting it off with a conch blast, presenter in shorts, flip-flops and ragged straw hat, all beachside!

Must have been so special for Vaast getting his medal in his own, small, home village!

Edited August 6, 2024 by Sir Rols

[Guilga]

Feels good to be a certified olympic surfing nation, even without a gold... That women's final last score was brutal!

[Sir Rols]

 

 

[sebastien1214]

17 minutes ago, Sir Rols said:

 

 

Fortunately for the whale, the Japanese athlete was already eliminated

[neige]