Some of my favorite light to shoot at Teahupo’o is the mid morning sun with dark rain clouds in the back. The morning was more slow than the second half of the day but still had its moments.
Photo: Ryan "Chachi" Craig
While opening day of surfing in the Paris 2024 Olympics kicked off with an all-day buffet of Teahupo’o, Tahiti tubes, Day Two was more like a parking lot gathering of food trucks. There were many flavors, dishes, and different fragrances to follow – although, in the case of the competitors, they didn’t have a choice on what to feast upon.
As far as surf competitions go, you get what you get. In the morning, the women’s Elimination Round got rain and smaller waves with not much opportunity for tubes. Around midday, the men were served a swirling flurry of wind, making for some barrels, and even a few airs. And then in the late afternoon, as the final heats of the day were coming to a close, Teahupo’o cleaned up for some postcard perfect conditions. Both Jack Robinson and Filipe Toledo capitalized, then, with the day’s highest scoring waves (a 9.87 and a 9.67, respectively) for proper Chopes tubes.
For a full photo recap of the day’s events, see below; and stay tuned for the call tomorrow.
[All photos and captions courtesy of Ryan “Chachi” Craig]
Heat 4 on the women’s side of the draw saw top 10 WCT surfers Joanne Defay and Molly Picklum battle it out in round two. It is always a bit of a bummer when high seeds meet this earlier in a contest and it wasn’t the only stacked heat of the round. With the crowd heavily behind her and a few long barrels by heat's end, Johanne managed to take out Molly rather convincingly.
Molly Picklum milked a decent wave all the way to dry reef in the hopes of getting a score.
Strong winds and rain greeted competitors in the early morning but thankfully eased up and turned to sunshine closer to midday.
Strong offshore winds made it difficult for Canada’s Sanoa Dempfle-Olin to make the drop during her heat in the second round.
There were a few really strong gusts of winds in the afternoon - starting with first heat of the men's round.
Kanoa Igarashi had a great rhythm in his heat with long-time friend and sparring partner Leonardo Fioravanti.
Although Leo Fioravanti found himself on a few good waves, it was too little too late for his Olympic dream.
Kanoa and Leo digging in on a paddle battle in hopes of getting priority.
Jordy Smith, all smiles and some tongue after winning his round 2 heat and keeping his Olympic campaign alive.
I’m honestly surprised this buoy didn’t fly away, it was that windy (offshore) at times.
I was surprised to see Kauli Vaast not advance out of the first round but he made quick work of the competition in round 2.
It’s maybe 2ft deep of sharp reef where Kauli is doing this air-reverse. I’d argue his comfort level at Teahupo’o from 1 to 10ft might be the most out of any competitor in the draw.
Kauli Vaast was the clear crowd favorite and made sure to greet his fans after his victory.
The late afternoon saw a small bump in the swell with numerous 3-4ft first reef tubes.
Al Cleland Jr came out guns blazing and showed why he’s one of the best up and coming tube riders in the world.
Al Cleland’s style is poetry in motion and a perfect subject for a lazy shutter.
Photo: Ryan "Chachi" Craig
Jack Robinson looks down the line while Lucca Mesinas duck-dives one of the biggest sets of the day.
Setting up for the tube on the highest scoring wave of the day, Jack looked comfortable and confident in round 2.
Jack Robinson fired up after getting spit out of the best wave of the day.
Although the heat with Jack wasn’t very competitive, Lucca Mesinas still picked some good waves and spent some time in the tube.
Filipe Toledo was fortunate to surf the last heat of the afternoon right as the swell was pulsing. He looked great and had numerous long tubes on his way to a convincing victory.
Filipe and Biily Stairmand all smiles after a barrel-rich heat.
Filipe Toledo, stoked.
On the way back to the marina it looked as though a concert was taking place. This is definitely a stark contrast to the normally empty and tranquil beach at the End of the Road.
