On a big day, the left reef at Teahupo’o in Tahiti is one of the world’s most spectacular waves. This uniquely intense surf zone owes much of its freakish form to an equally unique bottom contour, a ...

This feature is part of a new series called “First Session”, which will examine the inaugural surfs at various iconic waves around the world. Stay tuned for more. Surfing’s history has long maintained ...

The waves at Teahupoo are measured more by thickness than height, a sign of the cyclonic energy building within. They are some of the heaviest waves on the planet. They approach the small Tahitian ...

Publicizing certain surf spots, especially ones off the beaten path, is similar to violating the first rule of Fight Club. Instagram and some new surfers have threatened that reverence. Brazilian ...

The surf at the Tokyo Olympics was unremarkable at best, with conditions that could be described as unpredictable slosh. It was nearly impossible for competitors to show the kind of awe-inspiring ...

In French Polynesia, waves are revered and feared at the legendary surf break off the village of Teahupoo. A swimmer navigates the water near Teahupoo’s famed surf break, which sits just a few feet ...

Over the course of the last decade, I've seen surf contests from just about every corner of the globe. From bobbing in the channel at Teahupoo in Tahiti to elbowing wanna-be gangsters out of the way ...

A surfer rides a huge wave at the Teahupoo beach in the French Polynesia island of Tahiti on August 13, 2021. (Photo by Tim McKenna / AFP) (Photo by TIM MCKENNA/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty ...

As the Olympics get going in earnest this week, not everyone's attention is focused on the host city, Paris. Surf fans are heading to Tahiti, which is half a world away in French Polynesia. Why? Well, ...

The waves at Teahupoo are measured more by thickness than height, a sign of the cyclonic energy building within. They are some of the heaviest waves on the planet. They approach the small Tahitian ...