Gallery: Intimate Moments from Surfing’s Historic Paris 2024 Olympics Finale

Olympic surfing’s grand finale, the coup de grace, went down at Teahupo’o, Tahiti on Monday, August 5th after 10 days of fun waves, massive waves, dangerous conditions, career-culminating upsets, random celebrity sightings, viral images and, of course, gold medals. Caroline Marks took it home for the women, and local boy Kauli Vaast for the men.

It was a slog; it was historic; it was a full-on surf bender, and one seen ‘round the world.

Related: Kauli Vaast Wins Men’s Olympic Surfing Gold Medal

I think I speak for the rest of the surf world – from the competitors, to the fans, to the staff, and the media on the ground – that the collective hangover is real right now. The literal hangover from the last night’s festivities, and the emotional one from such an exciting, memorable event.

This was one for the history books. And waking up at the ass crack of dawn on Tuesday morning following the Finals, bleary-eyed, shells of humans, to catch our flights back home – side note: Caroline Marks got a shoutout from the captain on our flight, followed by a roaring applause in the cabin – it was a struggle to process all that went down, particularly on the ultimate day.

Related: Caroline Marks Wins Women’s Olympic Surfing Gold Medal

But we’ve popped 12 Advils, had four coffees, and we’re still relishing in the moments that made Finals Day so special. The adrenaline is still flowing, in spite of the 10-day marathon, and the celebratory debauchery at the end of the event. So, below, see BTS photos from beach and water that capture that magic of Finals Day – competitors kissing medals, groms gone wild, all of it.

[All photos courtesy of Ryan “Chachi” Craig]