Here’s Why America's Surf Team Are Gold Medal Favorites in the Olympics (Photos)

Dashel Pierson
·2 min read
Shocker: JJF was certainly looking in rhythm and confident in conditions like these.<p>Photo: Ryan "Chachi" Craig</p>
Shocker: JJF was certainly looking in rhythm and confident in conditions like these.

Photo: Ryan "Chachi" Craig

If you had to guess, over the history of the Olympics, which country holds the most Olympic medals? Could it be the Chinese powerhouse? The controversial, yet dominating, Russians? Wrong and wrong. It’s the red, white, and blue, baby. The USA holds the most medals – gold, silver, and bronze – compared to any other country in the world. 2,959 to date.

However, is that true with surfing? In the Tokyo 2020 2021 Games, no American man won a medal (Italo Ferreira, gold; Kanoa Igarashi, silver; Owen Wright, bronze). As for the women, American by way of Hawaii Carissa Moore took home the gold, followed by Bianca Buitendag with silver, and Amuro Tsuzuki with bronze. This year, though, things are different.

The American team is stacked. On the men’s side, there’s John John Florence (one of the best ever at heavy lefthand reefbreak barrels) and an extremely in-form Griffin Colapinto. On the women’s side, there’s a trifecta of heavy hitters – Caity Simmers (small but no fear in big surf), Caroline Marks (reigning world champ, and bonus: goofy-foot), and Carissa Moore (looking to defend her first place finish from Tokyo and cap off her competitive career with a golden cherry.

Below, check out a warmup session with Team USA before the Games kick off (July 27th) with Team USA flexing at fun-sized, yet super punchy, Teahupo'o.

Related: Olympic Surfing 101: Everything to Know Before Paris 2024

[All photos and captions from Ryan "Chachi" Craig]

Wednesday afternoon saw fun 3-4ft Teahupo’o with a very westerly swell angle and plenty of tubes. Here’s Carissa performing in front of the coaches and water safety.
Wednesday afternoon saw fun 3-4ft Teahupo’o with a very westerly swell angle and plenty of tubes. Here’s Carissa performing in front of the coaches and water safety.
JJF swings on a late west bowl while Kauli Vaast watches intently.
JJF swings on a late west bowl while Kauli Vaast watches intently.
All smiles on the Team USA boat.
All smiles on the Team USA boat.
Caity Simmers was throwing herself over the ledge on some really square waves. No doubt she’ll be comfortable with Saturday’s conditions.
Caity Simmers was throwing herself over the ledge on some really square waves. No doubt she’ll be comfortable with Saturday’s conditions.
Every hour or so, a rouge set would catch much of the pack off guard. Pictured is Carissa Moore, about to duck under.
Every hour or so, a rouge set would catch much of the pack off guard. Pictured is Carissa Moore, about to duck under.
Griffin Colapinto, with the no-handed backhand approach.
Griffin Colapinto, with the no-handed backhand approach.
2023 WSL world champion, Caroline Marks.
2023 WSL world champion, Caroline Marks.
Caity Simmers (along with Carissa Moore and Team USA coach, Shane Dorian), all smiles after an adrenaline-filled practice.
Caity Simmers (along with Carissa Moore and Team USA coach, Shane Dorian), all smiles after an adrenaline-filled practice.
Even at this size, Teahupo’o can still be a difficult wave to tame. Griffin Colapinto calculates his free-fall.
Even at this size, Teahupo’o can still be a difficult wave to tame. Griffin Colapinto calculates his free-fall.
Team USA, juxtaposed against the idyllic Tahitian mountains.
Team USA, juxtaposed against the idyllic Tahitian mountains.
Getting caught inside is never a place you wanna find yourself in…. Caity Simmers dives deep.
Getting caught inside is never a place you wanna find yourself in…. Caity Simmers dives deep.
JJF locked into the west bowl.<p>Photo: Ryan "Chachi" Craig</p>
JJF locked into the west bowl.

Photo: Ryan "Chachi" Craig

After a long day of practice, the boat taxi took Team USA home for some rest.
After a long day of practice, the boat taxi took Team USA home for some rest.

Related: Olympic Surfing Forecast: How Big Will Teahupo’o Be for Paris 2024?

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