Matahi Drollet and the bomb of the year. Photo: Screenshot
On August 5, Teahupo’o did what everyone waits for it to do. The people who surf it wait with breath bated a little more, but for the spectator as well, it’s a tough thing to beat.
“On August 5th, 2025, history was made at ‘The End of the Road,’ wrote Rogue TV. “One of the largest swells of the year slammed into Teahupo’o, turning this legendary reef into a mostly tow-in-only arena for the world’s best.”
The day began with a bang and its reverberations didn’t let up as the sun moved across the sky. As is the norm when Teahupo’o is this big, a select few stood out. And as is the norm when a select few stood out, one surfer stood out from the stand outs: Matahi Drollet.
“From the first pulse to the final set, the action was relentless – but one ride stole the show,” Rogue TV continued. “Local charger Matahi Drollet pushed the limits of possibility with a physics-defying, mind-bending wave that will be talked about for years to come.”
Matahi is always the one to watch at Teahupo’o. Just recently, he rode a wave that Billy Kemper called the “best wave ever paddled” at the End of the Road. Now, he might’ve surfed the best wave ever towed, too.
We’ve started Rogue TV’s live broadcast of the day at the beginning of Matahi’s wave. As you’ll see, it’s spectacular from start to a seemingly impossible finish. It looked impossible when he pulled into the cavernous tube. It looked impossible when he disappeared behind the curtain. It looked impossible as the wave pinched and spat violently. It looked impossible until Matahi miraculously escaped into the channel.
