July 27 is the official start of the waiting period for the 2024 Olympic Surfing event in Tahiti. And while the surf world has long been aware of what Teahupo’o is capable of when it comes to the Games, this week is roared to life and illustrated exactly why this Olympics is going to be different. There’s never been an Olympic venue like this in the 100-plus year history of the Games.
And while the Olympics will feature an international field of nearly 50 surfers, the Tahitian locals were all over this particular swell, showcasing their natural affinity for one of the heaviest waves on the planet.
“Kauli Vaast was towed into the wave of the day, no question about that,” explains SURFER photographer Ryan “Chachi” Craig, who will be stationed in the South Pacific for the duration of the Games and offering real-time, on-the-ground images and reporting from the Olympic zone.
Vaast will be representing France in the Games, so to put himself on a wave like that, he was taking an incredible risk that he wouldn’t get injured before the big dance in a couple weeks.
Other stars of the swell include usual suspects such as Matahi Drollet, Eimeo Czermak, Kevin Bourez, Raimana Van Bastolaer, among a host of others. The following are a bunch of Chachi’s favorite images from the last few days of shooting.
Stay tuned for more from Tahiti as the countdown to the Olympics is on!
Kauli Vaast
Ryan "Chachi" Craig
This tow wave of Kauli Vaast was definitely the biggest wave of the swell and one of the first waves rode in the morning. The fact that he wanted to tow right before the biggest contest of his life says a lot about his surf stoke and confidence on his home reef.
Tereva David
Ryan "Chachi" Craig
The wind came up in the late evening on the biggest day and made some the waves look even more intimidating. Pictured is Tereva David with rain squalls on the horizon.
Eimeo Czermak
Ryan "Chachi" Craig
Eimeo Czermak on cruise control.
Matahi Drollet
Ryan "Chachi" Craig
Literally, Matahi’s Drollet’s 20th tube of the day.
Gilbert Teave
Ryan "Chachi" Craig
The paddle wave of the day went to Gilbert Teave without question! From a crazy steep drop on the peak to this relaxed ‘flex’ through the west bowl, the wave had the entire lineup going crazy. This kid is the real deal.
Kevin Bourez
Ryan "Chachi" Craig
Kevin Bourez on one of the larger waves of the swell.
Matehau Tetopata
Ryan "Chachi" Craig
The evening light at Teahupo’o turns the wave into an almost welcoming shade of green as Matehau guns for the exit.
Raimana Van Bastolaer
Ryan "Chachi" Craig
It was cool to see Raimana towed into a wave in person, it was the first time I’ve been to Tahiti when he was there surfing and it looked as effortless for him as I imagined it would.
Hitoti Henry
Ryan "Chachi" Craig
Hitoti Henry has generational Teahupo’o roots and decided he wanted to whip into some large waves at the peak of the swell.
Mateia Hiquily
Ryan "Chachi" Craig
The style master himself, Mateia Hiquily, taking it all in.
Haumana
Ryan "Chachi" Craig
Huamana aka Tiger Shark is a young kid from Teahupo’o whose familiarity and comfort with the Teahupo’o reef shows in his casual approach.
Matehau Tetopata
Ryan "Chachi" Craig
Another standout in heavy water is Matehau Tetopata. Although he is not as well known outside of the surfing community in Teahupo’o he is one of the most respected and brave Tahitian’s when it’s over eight feet.
Matahi Drollet
Ryan "Chachi" Craig
Matahi Drollet and Teahupo’o are synonymous with one another and when the swells begin to get serious, he is all but guaranteed to put on a show.
Unidentified
Ryan "Chachi" Craig
Tahiti has an amazingly talented pack of bodyboards and when the swell gets bigger than eight-foot, they arrive in the lineup looking for the most square and hectic sets. This is Angelo scooping the west bowl.
Eimeo Czermak
Ryan "Chachi" Craig
Few surfers have the bravado and comfort out at Teahupo’o than the likes of Eimeo Czermak. He loves to roll the dice and doesn’t hesitate sending it on the bombs.
Related: Olympic Qualifier Vahine Fierro Talks Going for Gold on Her Home Turf