We’re well into this year’s Surfing event at the Olympic Games and the competition has already delivered unforgettable sessions, viral moments and insane skill as surfers battle the powerful swells in pursuit of Olympic glory.
The journey of surfing, from its humble origins as an ancient Polynesian tradition, where surfing was a sacred activity known as “he’e nalu” or “wave sliding,” to one of the most exciting events on the world’s biggest stage, is nothing short of spectacular.
As the event takes centre stage at this year’s Olympic Games, held some 15,700km away from the host city, Surfing has captured the audience’s imagination once more, delivering some of the most electrifying sessions seen at Paris 2024.
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The birth of surfing in the Olympics
Surfing made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, marking a historic moment for the sport. Once a pastime rooted in the beaches of Hawaii, surfing transitioned to a global stage with athletes such as Stephanie Gilmour and Gabriel Medina announcing the sport to mainstream audiences.
Its introduction was questioned at the time, with many challenging its inclusion as an Olympic entry and the inherent dangers of hosting an Olympic event within Mother Nature’s unpredictable and volatile arena. But if we’ve learnt anything from this year’s Paris Olympics, we can never really rely on any competition to go as planned (Cc. the River Seine’s native e.coli population).
Surfing that year was held at Tsurigasaki Beach in Chiba Prefecture, Japan: a dependable surf spot known for powerful swells and variable conditions that would test the surfers’ skills and adaptability.
Although conditions that year weren’t up to the lofty standards set off the coast of the French Polynesian island of Tahiti, the beach provided a stunning natural arena that captivated audiences worldwide during this legendary sport’s debut competition; with Paris 2024 in full swing, Surfing continues to build on the momentum gained from its debut in Tokyo – this time, held at one of the most dangerous surf breaks in the world.
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Surfing at Paris 2024
On the south-western coast of Tahiti, sits Teahupo’o, a tricky but rewarding break known for its powerful, heavy waves and stunningly beautiful location. In Tahitian, the name means “to sever the head” or “pile of skulls” reflecting this location’s formidable reputation; it’s not for the faint-hearted, and therefore, the perfect setting for this year’s competition.
“If we get really good swell, I feel like it would be the craziest arena for surfing to ever happen,” Australian medal hopeful Jack Robinson told DMARGE.
“It’s just over shallow reef. It’s such a short intense ride like it’s literally the most wild wave you have ever seen and the most beautiful. So I feel like the audience will be in for such a treat online; like, you won’t want to leave the screen because it’s just the craziest wipeouts – it’s the craziest rides and I feel like it’s going to be a great spectacle.”
Teahupo’o benefits from large swells that form thousands of kilometres out at sea. These waves start life as small ripples that skate across the surface, accumulating energy as they travel across vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean. By the time they reach the shallow, abrupt reef at Teahupo’o, they have transformed into towering, powerful waves with thick, hollow barrels for which this region has become renowned.
Australia’s Surfing stars Ethan Ewing and Jack Robinson took top points through the opening rounds, with the latter seeing off world number one ranked John John Florence in the RO16 bout. The pair must now face off against each other in the quarter-finals for a place in the semi-final and a shot at Olympic immortality. Whatever happens, Surfing will continue to be the most spectacular Olympic event ever.