It wasn’t your desktop wallpaper Teahupo’o, but how many people can say they’ve surfed one of the most coveted barrels in the world with just one good friend by their side? It seems impossible in this modern day and age, yet Koa Rothman and Eli Olson did in Tahiti recently. It’s a lesson in patience, persistence and a reliable boat driver.
“It’s been going through these phases where it gets really windy and then glasses off,” Koa said. “The wind keeps everyone away. So we get these crazy windows with just me and Eli for the past like three days. Insane.”
Their first session of the clip is just the two friends trading off on running head-high Teahupo’o. Again, not vintage, open-for-business form, but still fun nonetheless. If you were on a surf trip and stumbled upon head-high running tubes like this, you’d break the zipper on the boardbag in haste. For the second session, they’re joined by a few familiar faces in Kala Grace and Moana Jones Wong.
Related: ‘Unbelievable’: Teahupo’o Local Revels in Wave of a Lifetime
As tempting as this looks, these guys (and Moana) make it look too easy. Even at this size, Teahupo’o is still sketchy with a reef that’s too close for comfort. But this clip does offer a healthy reminder. Even at the most popular waves in the world, there are always windows. Forecasts will only take you so far. The only way to know for sure is to get out there and look.