Just one of many waves Koa Rothman surfed. Photo: YouTube//Screenshot
It’s likely that, if you are a follower of surf happenings, you’re aware of just how good it’s been in Tahiti in recent days. As avid followers of surf happenings, Koa Rothman and Eli Olson were keenly aware of the forecast, so they booked a flight. It was a good idea.
“It’s always so gnarly when you see stuff like this in the forecast,” Koa said the day before the swell hit. “You know something crazy is going to happen, whether it’s just biggest-you-can-paddle Chopes or you’re towing in all day, it’s just the most insane wave in the world.”
As always, there are a few standouts at Teahupo’o when it gets big. The one who generally has been standing out the most is Matahi Drollet, and this swell has been no different. First, he surfed what Billy Kemper called “the best wave ever paddled at Teahupo’o.” Then, a few days later, Drollet towed into a wave that should not have been possible to escape. Now the Tahiti Pro is happening, and so far, it’s been an event to remember.
But the days leading up to it were unforgettable. Here, Koa packs two days of absolute surfing insanity into about 20 minutes of footage — and surprisingly, all 20 minutes are necessary viewing. The third day will be in the next video, so stay tuned.
