Teahupo'o

Some surfing spots totally redefine where the limits are. 

Teahupoʻo, in the island of Tahiti, French Polynesia, southern Pacific Ocean is seen as one of the World’s heaviest wave. It can reach from 2 (7 feet) to 7 meters (21 feet). 

Teahupo’o is an aspiration for nearly all surfers. Many of them will remember for life their experience of this curious nature !

The annual Billabong Pro Tahiti surf competition takes place there. In 2014, Gabriel Medina was the winner.

Surfers experimenting Teahupo’o

• The bodyboarders Mike Stewart and Ben Severson were the first to surf Teahupo'o in 1986 and it soon became an underground spot for thrill-seeking bodyboarders !

• In 2000, Laird Hamilton is credited with surfing the "heaviest wave" ever ridden. It graced the cover of many surf magazines and a story in the film Riding Giants.

Here is an extract of the documentary:

Feedback of Laird Hamilton :

• In 2003 the Malik Joyeux successfully rode one of the largest waves ever ridden.

• Later on, in 2008, Ian Walsh towed the biggest Teahupoʻo wave of the season. 

Video footage of this ride was later used in a Red Bull energy drink ad campaign seen around the world.

• Keala Kennelly was the first woman to tow-surf Teahupo'o in May 2005, getting a 10-foot barrel ahead of the Billabong Tahiti Pro contest.

What is so famous about this spot? The wave Characteristics...

Teahupo’o has only been surfed for about 15 years for a good reason. In fact, people thought it was far too steep to surf it. Teahupo'o's legendary reputation is partly due to its unique shape. In fact, the very shallow and specific form of the coral reef, ranging up to 20 inches underneath the water's surface, is responsible for an extremely hollow-breaking wave. It then gives an effect of almost breaking below sea level.

If you are interested about the explanation of Teahupo’o’s waves, look at this site.

Slow motion Teahupo'o's wave:

Photographer Ben Thouard made this great video of Teahupoo from underwater. Enjoy…

Teahupo'o is not only famous for it's amazing size and effect. It is commonly referred to the "heaviest wave in the world" and recorded as one of the 'Top 10 Deadliest Waves' according to Transworld. The name 'Teahupo'o' is sometimes translated as “to sever the head” or "place of skulls". There have been 5 recorded deaths at Teahupo'o since 2000.