Caity Simmers thrives in heavier surf and has an almost fearless approach to surfing at this point in her career.
Photo: Ryan "Chachi" Craig
History was made today, once again, as surfing made its second-ever Olympic appearance at the Paris 2024 Games. Although, as it’s been mentioned ad nauseum, surfing is far from Paris, and instead, in the tiny village of Teahupo’o, Tahiti. Good thing, too, since the waves were pumping for opening day with overhead tubes all day long.
After a full day of competition, those who were watching on the broadcast, or those who were on the ground for the action (like SURFER’s tag-team duo of Dashel Pierson and Ryan “Chachi” Craig), it was all a bit of a blur. So many barrels, a handful of ‘em in the near-perfect range, and 48 surfers from across the globe, with a grand total of 16 heats. Yeah, it was a lot to say the least.
So, let’s slow it down a little; let’s lookback at the moments that made for a special and historic day in surfing. Below, see a full gallery of those blurred memories worth revisiting. Scroll away.
[All photos and captions courtesy of Ryan “Chachi” Craig]
The Olympics sets their schedule more specifically than the WSL and planned for a 7am sharp start. Media photo boats like the one I was on started leaving the point at Teahupo’o at 5:55am. Pictured is an illuminated Olympic judging tower under a pre-sunrise sky at 6am.
The first wave ridden of the entire event was by Australia’s Ethan Ewing. It was a clean 3-4ft running tube which helped him secure a heat win to start the event.
Ethan all smiles after winning his first Olympic heat.
Jack Robinson looked in-tune and well on his way to a commanding victory before it was snatched out from under him by France’s Joan Duru. In my opinion, Jack was on the better waves with cleaner rides and the judges got it wrong.
An early morning rainbow bends over the line up boats anchored in the channel.
Joan Duru’s performance had the pro-France spectators cheering throughout the heat.
Jo?o Chianca was putting himself in critical spots on the first reef sets and could be one of the surfers that medal if the forecast looks similar to today or gets bigger.
Jo?o taking in the moment after his heat win.
The media/interview area on the point at Teauhpo’o as seen from the channel.
John John was looking in impeccable form. Within minutes of the heat start he had his competitors in combo and was playing with the inside ledge tubes.
It was all smiles from John after his heat.
Local Kauli Vaast, representing France, had a few really nice tubes but came up just short against USA’s Griff Colapinto.
Griff oozing with confidence after getting blown out of a difficult and technical barrel to take the lead in his heat.
Caity Simmers with coach Tom Whitaker looking pretty excited about the waves on offer.
Molly Picklum having a good laugh before competing in her round 1 heat.
The waves really started turning on during the back half of the day. Pictured is Molly Picklum bottom-turning on a dream wall.
Team Canada flying the flag high for Sanoa Dempfle-Olin.
After an awkward fall, Joanne Defay was sucked over the falls and smashed her head on the reef. She paddled over to the water patrol to make sure it wasn’t too bad and then put a helmet on and went back for the last twenty minutes of her heat.
Tyler Wright slowed down in an afternoon tube.
Candelaria Resano was charging but ended up in spot where most surfers never want to find themselves.
Team France fans showing their support.
Not a drop of water out of place as Saffi Vette navigates a tube in front of the peanut gallery.
China’s Siqi Yang doesn’t have much experience out at Teahupo’o but what she lacked in wave knowledge she made up for in bravado. At only 15 years old, she was absolutely charging.
The last heat of opening day competition featured 2020 Olympic gold medalist Carissa Moore surfing during some of the best conditions of the entire day. Riss didn’t play it safe, it fact, she looked more comfortable than in the past and surfed her way to 9 with a beautiful backlit afternoon tube.
Carissa Moore absolutely glowing after her amazing performance to end day 1.
