Surfing Teahupoo

Nisa

Born in Austria, raised in Africa, lived in Indonesia & Australia, studied in the US & is exploring the world.
@cookiesound

August 26, 2011 • French Polynesia• 6 Comments • 39,448 Views

Surfing The Waves At Teahupoo, Tahiti.

The waves at Teahupoo are one of the strongest and toughest to ride in the world. It is known for the heavy & glassy waves offshore, often reaching up to 20 meters (70 feet). It is the site of the annual Billabong Pro Tahiti surf competition. You might also know Teahupoo thanks to pro-surfer Laird Hamilton. On August 17, 2000 he was credited with surfing the “heaviest wave” ever ridden, documented in the film “Riding Giants”.

The surfers on the photos below make it look as if riding these massive waves is nothing…yet one single mistake can lead to a disaster.

Teahupoo in Tahiti is known for its surf break and heavy, glassy waves offshore, often reaching 2 to 3 m and sometimes up to 7 meters.

Teahupoo is also renowned for the consistent number of barrels it delivers. It is a rewarding location and is widely regarded as being on the 'must-surf' list of every enthusiastic surfer. — Teahupoo is also renowned for the consistent number of barrels it delivers. It is a rewarding location and is widely regarded as being on the ‘must-surf’ list of every enthusiastic surfer.

Pro-surfer Raimana Van Bastolaer surfing Teahupoo, Tahiti. — Pro-surfer Raimana Van Bastolaer surfing the waves Teahupoo on a regular swell day.

Teahupo'o is a reef break. The swells mainly break left, but the outer reef also creates right breaks that surfers must be cautious of when paddling out. — Teahupoo is a reef break. The swells mainly break left, but the outer reef also creates right breaks that surfers must be cautious of when paddling out.

However, only experienced surfers in peak physical condition should attempt Teahupo'o; heavy waves combined with a shallow shoreline can result in serious injuries and even death in a wipeout. — Only experienced surfers in peak physical condition should attempt to surf the waves at Teahupoo.

Pro-surfer Dennis Tihara knows how to tame these waves. — Pro-surfer Dennis Tihara knows how to tame these waves at Teahupoo.

It takes much practice to escape the wave at the right moment. heavy waves combined with a shallow shoreline can result in serious injuries and even death in a wipeout. — It takes much practice to escape the wave at the right moment. Hheavy waves combined with a shallow shoreline can result in serious injuries and sometimes even death in a wipeout.

6 Comments

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“Surfing The Waves At Teahupoo, Tahiti.”

Ines • August 26, 2011

Fantastic pictures, really impressive!
Nisa • August 26, 2011

thanks, glad you like them ;)
Angelika • August 26, 2011

Just amazing. heaven and earth melt away…
Nisa • August 26, 2011

Thank you so much! I can only agree with you: heaven on earth :)
Angelika • August 28, 2011

Oh and by the way, congrats on the fantastic new design of your website, especially the start page. ;-) Ilove it. Great job. Keep it up girls!
Nisa • August 29, 2011

Thank you so much Angelika! We’ll do out best to keep it up ;) Have a good start into the week!