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Tell Us How You Really Feel: Tahitian Surfing Legends Talk Olympics

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Matahi Drollet, doing what he does best out at Teahupo’o.

Photo: GREGORY BOISSY/AFP via Getty Images

One early morning, as nearly every morning started during the Paris 2024 Olympics in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, the locals were readying their boats and jet skis, prepping for the day. From a nearby dock, Tahurai Henry half-jokingly yelled: “F*ck the Olympics!”

Now, Olympic surfing in the Paris 2024 Games, held 10,000 away from City of Lights and/or Love, has finally come to an end. It was a 10-day circus of surf, rife with armed authorities and Byzantine (often excessive) regulations, curious celebrity appearances, danger, big waves, small waves, upsets, underdogs, and a viral image seen ’round the world of surfer not actually surfing.

Local boy Kauli Vaast won gold for the men; and USA’s Caroline Marks for the women.

But it’s over now. And the tiny village of Teahupo’o can hopefully return to its pristine state of pure natural beauty. Before the Games finished, however, we spoke to a handful of the best local Tahitian surfers – not competing in the Olympics – on how they felt about the whole thing. Did they play a role, or have a job, in making the whole Olympic machine function? Were they stoked the world was watching (and infiltrating, re: the fans and media) their slice of paradise? Were they pissed about all the people? Well, as one might imagine, it was a bit of all the above.

Below, check out what we heard on the ground from some of Chopes’ hardest chargers. 

[All photos courtesy of Ryan “Chachi” Craig]

Related: Olympic Surfing: Top 5 Moments from Paris 2024

Tahurai Henry

“My role during the Olympics was to make sure the Brazilians were all good. Whenever they needed assistance – security or out in the water during free surfs – I was there for them. I was hosting them. My favorite part was when the conditions were the biggest. I loved Gabriel Medina’s ride. Obviously not the jump. It’s pretty funny that went viral, when you know the surfer himself threw himself in a 10-foot closeout, made it out, and almost killed himself. And the photo that the world will remember is him flying out of the wave. I’m super stoked that it’s coming to an end, and we’re hopefully going to live our life like it was in the past. I can’t wait for it to feel like home again.”

Tereva David

“My role was to help all the surfers who have never been here before, to help them surf it safely. It’s never 100 percent safe, but safety comes first. A couple nations reached out to me. I was flattered. I chose Team Japan, because I like their energy. They are really respectful in the water every time they come to Tahiti. I’ve had the privilege to surf that wave in all conditions for 20 years now. I’ve had a lot of critical situations out there, and I’m still here today. So, I was able to teach them some of that knowledge. My favorite part has been watching those guys send it on the big day. It was really heavy. It’s been a couple years leading up to the Olympics that we’ve been feeling the pressure, so we’re gonna be happy once it’s all over.”

Matahi Drollet

“I wasn’t really involved in the lineup, but I have a big boat that I rented for the Olympics. All the boats that were out there had to work for the Olympics. So, I had my big boat with the captain on it. I’ve been also helping the last couple months with the athletes. Like with Tyler Wright. But during the Olympics, I was taking Colin Jost out surfing. Pretty much what I do every day. Just taking them out surfing, and sharing the local knowledge. My favorite part was to see everyone go home, and having the calmness come back to Teahupo’o. I’m super stoked that everyone is leaving, for sure.”

Gilbert Teave

“My favorite part of the Olympics is when everyone go home.”

Mihimana Braye

“The Olympics was a really big thing. Like bigger than we thought. A lot of police and rules and stuff like that. It was kind of hectic. But it was also great to see all the surfers perform. Teahupo’o gave all kinds of conditions – from not really good, to absolutely pumping. It was great to watch. It’s positive for the population, for some. For others, it depends. Teahupo’o has been really busy the past few years. There were so many rules you had to respect, and people from the village are not used to it. It’s always good for Tahiti and the tourism and the business.”

Eimeo Czermak

“I left the island because I wasn’t in the Olympics, and it’s hard for me to watch it, because I had no chance to be in it. Bali has been sick. I’m really stoked I went there instead, honestly. The waves are firing right now! [Laughs.]”

Arenui “Coco” Parker

“I rented out a house right at Teahupo’o, my grandma’s house. I don’t have a favorite part of the whole Olympics. Everyone is stoked because there’s a lot of boats, a lot of people at Chopes…for us, to see a lot of people, it’s kinda bad. It’s a little village, and we know everybody. There’s two zones – people who live in Zone A can go to Zone B, but people who live in Zone B can’t go to Zone A – and I don’t know why. Just so many weird rules.”

Mateia Hiquily

“During the Olympics, I was renting my place, a Teahupo’o bungalow. I was also coaching for Team Canada. I didn’t really have a good experience with it. It was just a different way to do a contest, and not my style. But now, I can go back home and see everyone cruising around Teahupo’o…I don’t know…it was a really weird feeling to be around during the Olympics. Now we will see the impact the Olympics will have – both the good and the bad. This is just my opinion and many people may think differently.”

Related: Gallery: Intimate Moments from Surfing’s Historic Paris 2024 Olympics Finale