Teahupo’o was very, very big, and Tim Bonython was there with his camera in hand to document the madness. Photo: Tim Bonython
Teahupo’o has been the main focus of the surfing world for a few weeks now. The World Surf League event kicked off, but in the days leading up to the Tahiti Pro, the swell was enormous. And when waves get huge pretty much anywhere in the world, Tim Bonython can be counted on to be there with his camera in hand.
“Teahupo’o,” Bonython wrote in an email. “The name alone sends a shiver through the surfing world. For two straight days, the world’s most infamous slab roared to life — a serious big-wave swell that demanded both paddle and tow mastery.”
When the wave at the “End of the Road” does what it does best, those who surf it best make sure they’re in the lineup. Matahi Drollet proved his mastery of both paddling and towing, with a pair of waves that defy the laws of physics.
“On Day One, the lineup was a roll call of royalty: local prince Matahi Drollet, legends like Gibert Teave, Lorenzo Avveneti, Eimeo Czermak, and Olympic gold medalist Kauli Vaast,” Bonython continued. “And it wasn’t just Tahiti’s best answering the call. With the WSL Tour days away, heavy hitters like Jack Robinson, Leo Fioravanti, and Griffin Colapinto joined the charge — towing and paddling into some of the biggest, thickest walls Teahupo’o has unleashed in years.”
This is Bonython’s edit of the first day of the swell, and as usual, it’s well worth the watch.
