Since its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, surfing has mesmerised us with its combination of athleticism, artistry and connection to nature.

So, needless to say, we’re excited to watch legendary surfers like Gabriel Medina, Kauli Vaast, Vahine Fierro, Carissa Moore, and more compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

So, where are the world’s best surfers battling it out?

Teahupo’o in Tahiti.

Let’s take a look at why…

Results

Finals

WomenWinnerScore
Gold 🥇Caroline Marks 🇺🇸10.50
Silver 🥈Tatiana Weston-Webb 🇧🇷10.33
Bronze 🥉Johanne Defay 🇫🇷12.66
Men Winner Score
Gold 🥇Kauli Vaast 🇫🇷17.67
Silver 🥈Jack Robinson 🇦🇺7.83
Bronze 🥉Gabriel Medina 🇧🇷15.54

Semi-Finals

Women Winner Score
Heat 1Johanne Defay 🇫🇷12.17
Heat 2Tatiana Weston-Webb 🇧🇷13.66
MenWinner Score
Heat 1Kauli Vaast 🇫🇷10.96
Heat 2Jack Robinson 🇦🇺12.33

Quarter-Finals

WomenWinnerScore
Heat 1Caroline Marks 🇺🇸7.77
Heat 2Johanne Defay 🇫🇷10.34
Heat 3Tatiana Weston-Webb 🇧🇷8.10
Heat 4Brisa Hennessy 🇨🇷6.37
MenWinner Score
Heat 1Alonso Correa 🇵🇪10.50
Heat 2Kauli Vaast 🇫🇷15.33
Heat 3Gabriel Medina 🇧🇷14.77
Heat 4Jack Robinson 🇦🇺15.33

Why Is Olympic Surfing in Tahiti?

Teahupo’o, nestled on the southwest coast of Tahiti, is renowned for its awe-inspiring, powerful, glassy waves that gracefully break over a coral reef.

Teahupo’o, 15,000km from France’s mainland, was selected to host the Olympic surfing competition because it is known for some of the world’s most thrilling and dangerous surfing. It’s a test for even the best surfers, providing the ultimate platform for the surfing competition at the Olympics.

This separation from the mainland further demonstrates the lengths the organisers have gone to in order to guarantee ideal surfing conditions for this esteemed occasion.

When is the Event Taking Place?

In order to take advantage of the best wave conditions—which depend on a variety of factors including weather patterns, ocean waves, and tides—surfing at the Paris 2024 Games took place from July 28th, 2024 until August 5th, 2024.

How is the Event Structured?

There’s the men’s shortboard and women’s shortboard, with 24 surfers in each category – 48 of the world’s best surfers vying for gold.

The competition consists of multiple rounds, starting with early elimination rounds and moving towards finals.

The first round consists of eight heats, each comprising three surfers. The winners of round one progress straight to round three while the other two surfers battle it out in round two. Round two has eight heats of two surfers. The winners progress, and the losers are eliminated.

Each heat lasts approximately 20-35 minutes, where surfers catch as many waves as possible, but only their two highest-scoring waves count towards their total score.

Each wave is rated by judges on a range of 1 to 10, taking into account variables such as manoeuvrability, speed, power, and flow.

The competition progresses from the preliminary rounds to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, where the medallists are decided. Stated differently, the gold medal is won by the surfer who, after two of their finest waves, has the greatest cumulative score.

Requirements to Compete

Achieving Olympic qualification is no small feat. Surfers qualify for the World Surf League Championship Tour and the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games through a series of international contests.

This process ensures only the best surfers from around the world make it to the Olympic stage. The road to qualification is a testament to the athletes’ hard work, skill and persistence.

What makes Teahupo’o challenging?

Teahupo’o’s wave conditions stand out from other surfing spots. The waves here are heavy and barreling, breaking over a shallow reef. This unique setup creates a powerful and dangerous environment that demands the highest level of skill. The speed and force of the waves require quick reflexes and precise movements, making it a true test of the surfer’s ability.

Teahupo’o’s shallow reef raises the stakes considerably by adding another level of risk. The risk of major injury from a single mistake emphasises how dangerous surfing at this location is.

For all these reasons, Teahupo’o is one of the world’s most famous and respected surfing places.

Check out some of the other biggest waves across the planet.

Environmental Precautions

Given the environmental sensitivity of the site, the organisers have put a big emphasis on sustainability and environmental protection.

For example, measures have been taken to reduce the event’s impact on the local ecosystem, including protecting the coral reef and marine life. This broadly aligns with the values of the surfing community, which has been advocating for preserving the ocean and its habitats for years.

Promotion For the Sport

Including surfing in the Olympics has worked wonders for promoting the sport globally, inspiring new generations of surfers to take up the sport.

Take Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina, one of the most talented surfers in the world, for instance. He’s already broken the internet with this iconic picture, taken as he came off a wave that gave him a score of 9.9!

This kind of global exposure will make surfing less mystic and more accessible to a broader audience, providing the perfect platform for surfers from different backgrounds to represent their countries and tell their stories.

Hopefully, this increased visibility will drive investment into local surf communities and infrastructure to grow the sport globally.

Ready to Watch the Surfing at the Paris Olympics?

After making its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games in 2021, surfing is now a permanent fixture of the games.

In summary, 48 of the world’s best surfers will be competing at Teahupo’o, one of the hardest spots to surf worldwide, with three-time world champion Gabriel Medina among the surfers to watch!

We are confident that this event will inspire and amuse people all around the world because of its rigorous qualification process, interesting and fair format, and environmental sustainability.

Whether you’re a veteran surfer or a new fan, don’t miss Surfing at the Paris Olympics – you’ll be sure to regret it!

Has all this talk of Surfing wet your appetite?

Yeah, us too! Why not join us at Rapture Surfcamps, where expert instructors and world-class waves await? Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, our camps offer the perfect environment to immerse yourself in the surfing lifestyle. Come ride the waves with us and discover the surfer within!

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