Surfable waves form when the water gets so shallow that the wave gets to heavy and collapses on itself. However, back in 2011 she came close to losing her life at the wave after a wipeout had her face collide with the coral reef. Surfable waves that hold up well for longer rides in prevailing cross-offshore, offshore or light wind conditions. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. STOP! The waves at Teahupoo look like the entire ocean is rising up. Overhead? A style and approach from outside the media bubble. Surfers have been cheating death for a long time. The late 1900s and very first ride. Everything that matters in surf + outdoorsdirectly to you inbox. [5] This challenging break has been conquered by many top windsurfers, including Jason Polakow, Ali Neil and Levi Siver. A surfer goes headfirst into the water at Teahupoo. It's tall, thick, and shallow, and bloody sharp too. So basically, in Teahupoo, you have a massive, huge ocean full of energy, meet a very shallow break. To those scary variables we can add sharks, capsizing boats and a capacity to literally pull your pants down. For the remaining 2% of the time it is considered too small by mostsurfers but may still be OK for beginners and groms at times. Teahupoo is a scary place. Some of the biggest swell in contest history, if some of the claims are correct. This is why when we look at videos of Teahupoo, people can park their boats, jet-skis in this safe-zone. The cheetah already told you that. He's shaped for fifty yearsand taught almost as many people how to, makingMurray Bourton the patriarch of a special clan. Just the atmosphere. More than likely, at your local break, you're riding just a plunging wave. Click here to get the code. Moral of this story was always shoot if you can, even if it means going down in a blaze of glory, which thankfully, we didn't on this occasion
Photo: Teahupoo on an O'Neill team trip a few years ago. It's amazing how many different aspects of nature, the wind, coral, water, and the mountains have created a truly unique wave, which I am sure will be talked about for hundreds of years into the future. He has since opened the door to Teahupoo, as it remains one of the worlds best big wave surfing locations, the site of numerous big-wave surfing competitions, like the Billabong Pro. *ocean temperature recorded from satellite. Teahupoo surf forecast is for near shore open water. muses Ding Alley on a day that provokes the Big Questions. The US Open of Surfing is one of Southern California's best summer traditions. How fast? Sunday viewing (or Monday viewing, if you live in that part of the world) doesn't get much better than this. Premium ad-free surfcams, dawn surf reports, and more Watch: Bryce Young // Following The Fall Line, URBNSURF Sydney to begin construction later this year, Kirra Klassic Defends Decision To Hold Mixed Division, Active outlook but S'ly winds will niggle. Wright's willingness to send himself over the ledge earned him the A.I. However, in 2013 during the Code Red swell, the wave literally left him with his pants down. Up until the weekend, theEast Coast winterhas been devoid of any major surf. Kissed the ground when I stepped off the boat that afternoon. Interactive Teahupoo surf break location map. Click icons on the map for more detail. Well, the shoreline. With the Billabong Pro Tahiti underway and the forecast predicting a great run of solid swell, we take an inside look at the world's most infamous wave: Teahupoo. 12-foot Chopes. He picked the pants-less Irons up and then did a few victory laps to the cheers of the packed channel. Current swell conditions from local buoys are shown along with live wind speed and direction from nearby weather stations. Video by The Go Big Project. Wind stats for Teahupoo, see the variation in direction and stength by month or season on the history page here. )If you had the ch. Sheet glass. Some you may have seen on other blogs, none in such good quality as Tim presents here. 14 You can choose your preferred language and metric/imperial units for the surf forecast feed to suit users of your site. And on Friday, August 13, the wave at the end of the road went absolutely. Tends to receive distant groundswells and the best swell direction is from the south. It instantly tore apart my wetsuit and life vest. Niccolo Porcella having a look at Teahupo'o on July 22, 2015. Surging waves have a very steep, flat face, move super fast, and eventually turns into a very steep plunging wave, which allows the surfer to get barreled. Massive surf grinds down the reef at Teahupo'o, Tahiti on May 13th and 14th of 2013. A style and approach from outside the media bubble. Whats the most intense surfing session youve ever had? A surging wave is formed when the water is very deep, and rapidly approaches a steep shallow shoreline. A friendlier-than-expected south. And with a forecasted swell for the ASPs Billabong Pro Tahitilooming ominously over the horizon, Chopes is looking like its setting up to be a banger. See the latest photos and videos from the most recent swell at Tahiti's Teahupo'o below. Model Estimated Surf Size (12am) 8-10ft (3-4x Overhead) A. Teahupoo WSL Championship Tour Event Champions, "TEAHUPOO - Legend, True Meaning, True Story | Surf News", "Heavyweights discuss Nate Florence and the best Teahupoo wave ever paddled", "Teahupoo hopefuls faced with huge swell", "For Paris Olympics, Surfing Will Head to Tahiti's 'Wall of Skulls', "Tahiti approved as Olympic surfing venue for 2024 Paris Games", Set of 122 photographs of breaks and a variety of riders at Teahupo'o, by Tim McKenna, Photo gallery showing kitesurfing on Teahupo'o, Tahiti Time: Inside a unique view of small wave surfing at Teahupo'o, Post 2009 Billabong Pro Teahupo'o Photo Gallery, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Teahupo%27o&oldid=1160118371, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2013, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, This page was last edited on 14 June 2023, at 14:29. Don't miss the most dangerous stop on Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti, webcast LIVE on the World Surf League homepage and WSL App beginning August 14. Matahi Drollet at Teahupo'o on July 22, 2015. Photo: Inside the heaviest and most respected wave on earth: Teahupoo. Pato Teixeira pulls into a barrel and does his best to hang on tight. 1 min read We know you know that Teahupoo has been firing. Unfortunately for him, that wasn't the case. Here is everything you need to know about surfing Tahiti's Teahupoo. Dorice "Dee Dee" Moore was found guilty of the murder of Abraham Shakespeare, who she befriended in 2008, two years after he won a $17 million payment from the Florida Lottery. In big wave scenarios, you can't be fooled, and it's in your face - death is a living threat. The last swell at Teahupoo was an event so spectacular that it consumed the entirety of surf media for nearly a week, and rightfully so. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Well, remember that water being funneled out in the channels caused by the fresh water flowing from the mountains? Check the 16-day forecast with Swellnet Pro for $8.95/month. Imagine, if you will, a wave that has a 20 foot face, is thick and as heavy as a building and it breaks into a razor sharp reef that is just a couple of feet deep? 14 Often Crowded. Then this thing came through, and I looked up at it thinking, "we are done. Photo: What to say about this perfect wave? The swell serves as a precursor for Stop No. First thing to understand is that waves shouldnt be considered moving water (Think about a floating buoy sitting in the ocean when waves pass by. The surf forecast for Teahupoo over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 25) at 2AM. An extremely shallow coral reef, which ranges up to 20inches (51cm) beneath the water's surface, is responsible for a very hollow-breaking wave. Creating a perfect set of channels in the reef to make Teahupoos waves nice and smooth. Eight Competitors Remain Ahead of Semifinals Tomorrow in Fun Clean Surf Continues at Shida Point. The waves there have a unique combination of size, power and speed made more dangerous because they break over a sharp coral reef lying only meters below the surface. The reef grows rapidly vertically, which results in a very steep break. During a recent swell at maxing Chopes, Tereva David paddled out at first light.. and immediately got smoked. Stu Nettle . Are we starting to see why Teahupoo is extremely unique? A resposta simples. Not so much with this Friday the 13th swell at Teahupoo. View information about nearby surf breaks, their wave consistency and rating compared to other spots in the region. Teahupoo is a vibrant and mutant slab breaking over a shallow live reef. Watch Surfline's 20-Foot-Plus live from Teahupo'o here. Even when you compare Teahupoo to other big wave surfing spots, you'll notice that Teahupoo's major wow-factor isn't its height, but it's thickness (one of the biggest wave heights ever surfed was ~80 feet, Teahupoo reaches about 30 feet during a big swell). This morning, a surfer was bitten while surfing Boat Ramp bommie. Toledo and Peterson are emphatic champs after a day of exciting if inconsistent surf. Youd have a wave that is both loved and feared by the worlds very best and bravest surfers. Chaos in Tahiti as flash floods destroy houses and wash cars into the wild Teahupoo surf and John John Florence pleads for help, "It's one of my favorite places in the world and very special to the surfing community" - BeachGrit And in 2013, a Brazilian photographer suffered three broken vertebrae after the boat she was in was forced airborne by a wave. 'Is the whitewaternot part of the artist's canvas?' 7 on the Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour. "Kolohe Andino looking as worn as a well-thumbed volume filled with illustrated examples of human sex organ deformities." Yesterday, surf fans rounded on the World Surf League following a poor swell and wind forecast from forecast partner Surfline and two days of "on-hold" announcements. Most Committed Award, while Florence and Slater's commitment in Semifinal 2 earned them the Heat of the Year award. This empty wave was the wave of the day, jaw dropping and unridden. So when the fresh rain water gets sent down the mountains of Tahiti, it does so with a finger-like pattern. Aug 17th, 2021. With the worlds best surfers heading to Tahiti for the upcoming Billabong Pro, we look at just why Teahupoo isnt scary its terrifying. [6] The wave's unique shape, with an effect of almost breaking below sea level, is due to the specific shape of the reef beneath the wave. Teahupoo is a scary place. Long Range Forecast: Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. Latest photos from Teahupoo. Days 6-9 Weather Summary Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Check out a unique perspective on Teahupo'o from a drone view. This continually unnerved me. Make sure to enable it in your browser. Surfers everywhere dream of surfing in Tahiti, especially its most famous and heavy break, the iconic left wave, Teahupoo. A left hand reef break. Florence and Slater's commitment in Semifinal 2, Reality Check: Who's Up, Who's Down After Teahupo'o, Magic Board: JS Tells All on Flores' Tahiti Board, What You Need To Know - Wallex US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico, Wallex US Open of Surfing Presented By Pacifico Brings Championship Tour Contenders, World's Best Longboarders Back To Surf City USA, Stage Set For Finals Day at Bonsoy Chiba Ichinomiya Open QS 3000, Quarterfinalists Decided at Bonsoy Chiba Ichinomiya Open QS 3000. The rubber man rebounds with nothing but a bruise. It's possible too! Short Range Forecast: Light rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Mon night. It took several years of contemplation for the big wave surfing sensei, Laird Hamilton to take on the wave in 2000. Video by The Go Big Project. Drone highlights from the Billabong Pro Tahiti, Stop No. Slow down and give yourself a few moments to enjoy the film. Any help welcome *** Warm (max 27C on Mon afternoon, min 24C on Tue night). The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 14s. Wednesday, July 22, 2015 Winds increasing (light winds from the ESE on Thu afternoon, fresh winds from the E by Sat morning). If youre not convinced that Teahupoo is one of the most intense waves in the world, keep in mind that Teahupoo has only been surfed for about 15 years. Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Teahupoo may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Watch on Watch: Teahupoo // Contrasts Stu Nettle (stunet) Reels Sunday, 07 May 2023 With his Red camera slung over his shoulder, Tim captured all the best rides from the recent Code Red swell in Tahiti. If you plan a holiday in Tahiti, look for hotels and other accommodation in Punaauia. MEN'S JOURNAL presents Club Random with Bill Maher, Robbie Maddison recently tried to outrun the wave on a motorcycle, before exploding on the crescent-shaped reef. . Scared the crap out of me, but I did get the shot. A steep wall of reef causes the entire mass to fold onto a scalloped semi circle breaking arc. Mainly fresh winds. For a long time, people thought it was far too steep to be surfable. May 14th, 2013. [2], Teahupoo was included on Transworld Surf's list of the 'Top 10 Deadliest Waves' and is commonly referred to as the "heaviest wave in the world". Mike is a surfer and biology teacher that blogs at Worldwide Stoke Surfing Videos, Create Your Own Surf Forecast with Stormsurf. Footage by Tim Pruvost. Today, many surfers would wear a rashvest wetsuit. Photo: Courtesy of DC Shoes. [12] At a distance of 9,800mi (15,800km) from Paris, this venue choice was the first record broken in preparation of the games. He was very confident and would often have us sitting some 30 or 40 feet closer to the action than the other boats. Tahitian Matahi Drollet is fresh off his first win at the 2015 Big Wave Awards for a tube he scored at Teahupo'o last year. This was what produced the big waves at Teahupoo on Friday 13, and was what eventually reached the South Shore of Hawaii. In typical Teahupoo fashion, the waves were basically . Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Wed afternoon, strong winds from the SE by Thu night). Jason Stevenson of JS Industries talks about the board that took Jeremy Flores all the way at the Billabong Pro Tahiti. The nearest passenger airport to Teahupoo is Temae (Moorea) Airport (MOZ) in French Polynesia, which is 68 km (42 miles) away (directly). August 19, 2021 | Surfing It was one of the biggest waves ever ridden at Teahupoo. The peak of the swell at Teahupoo coincided more or less with the optimum combination of offshore wave heights of over 12 feet and periods of around 17 or 18 secs. She posted the photo above on Facebook afterward, saying, Sorry if you were eating dinner I look much better now, I promise., For a moment, it seemed as though Robbie Maddison might outrun the whitewash. The surf report / weather widget below is available to embed on third party websites free of charge and provides a summary of our Teahupoo surf forecast. However, when we look at Teahupoo, the waves are surprisingly clean. Coco Nogales takes a serious tumble in Tahiti. Hawaii's Big Island is under a tropical storm warning as Tropical Storm Calvin is forecast to pass over or just south of the island, threatening to bring dangerous coastal surf, heavy rain and . View detailed surf forecast for Teahupoo at:surf-forecast.com. And . Winter is the optimum time of year for surfing here. Teahupoo. Just the atmosphere. This is because there are several channels within the reef those shoots out water from the shore back into the deeper ocean. It is this transition from super deep to super shallow that makes the wave the scariest one on the planet. The rubber man rebounds with nothing but a bruise. This is the final scene of La Nuit de la Glisse - Perfect Moment : The Ultimate Round.Spot : Teahupoo, Tahiti.Surfers : Kevin Johnson (Tahiti), Arsne Hareho. Matahi Drollet commits on a massive tow-in tube at Teahupo'o. Become a subscriber and receive access to ad-free 16 day surf forecasts and charts, detailed surf forecaster notes, dawn surf reports and premium, ad-free surfcams and replays. Bodyboarding pioneers Mike Stewart and Ben Severson showcased the spot in 1986 and it soon became an underground spot for thrill-seeking bodyboarders. Hourly Forecast 12 Day Forecast Maps Wave Height Wave Energy Wind Live Live Weather Surf Webcam Weather State Tides Surf/Wind Alert Water Temperature Spot Information Spot Guide Reviews & Ratings Photos (5) Teahupoo Surf Forecast / Tahiti (22 surf breaks) / French Polynesia (41 surf breaks) Reef Teahupoo Surf Forecast / Tahiti / French Polynesia Take a look below to see the difference between wave types. Surfable sized waves that are of poorer quality due to prevailing onshore, cross-onshore or windy conditions (may be preferable for kitesurfing). We bid adieu toLa Nia as we move into the surfer'sseason. According to local reports, Matahi and his brother Manoa waited nine hours in the lineup before picking the ultimate wave. If you surf the same spot (Teahupoo) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Clean surfable waves are typically found 50% of the time in April while 48% of the time it tends to be blown out. So what causes Teahupoo? Based on Video by The Go Big Project. [2] Taerea attempted to duck-dive a dangerous 12-foot (3.7-meter) wave but was thrown over the falls, and landed head first on the reef. While it felt like you were underwater for an entire minute, was it just 10 or 20 seconds? Additionally, breaking waves can be interpreted to mean the wave is broken. As wind passes over the surface of water, friction between the air and water cause the water to ripple, which leads to more friction, and the wave grows. The channels also create a very fast current, which means that surfers must get towed out. Teahupo'o is renowned for the consistent number of barrels it delivers. Photo: Bielmann. This prevents coral from growing deep (they need sunlight to photosynthesize), and creating a more gradual wave. Our Teahupoo surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. Maybe, perhaps, the most incredible. So as we know, waves are moving energy. Teahupoo is the most dangerous break in the world. [2] It is known for the surf break and heavy, glassy waves offshore, often reaching 2 to 3 m (6.6 to 9.8 ft), and sometimes up to 7 meters (23 feet). The swells mainly break backwards, but the outer reef also creates left breaks that surfers must be cautious of when paddling out. Teahupoo breaks fast. In another incident, a photographer famously bailed from the boat, leaving his girlfriend to hang on and just make it over the wave. Swellnet Dispatch. Photo: This is Teahupoo. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Italo Avoids Serious Injury. Surfing Teahupoo, Tahiti is an aspiration for nearly all surfers. The above surf forecast table for Teahupoo provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. This most recent swell was one for the books, to be sure, but as is . Thanks for signing up, your will get your first copy of the SurfScience.com newsletters at the beginning of next month. Surfing Surfing is not a lethal sport, but monstrous waves have already claimed a few lives. Warm (max 26C on Mon afternoon, min 25C on Sun afternoon). Light rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Thu afternoon. A night of rock n' roll and tales from the tube. During this intense session, did you wipe out at all? This is the final scene of La Nuit de la Glisse - Perfect Moment : The Ultimate Round.\rSpot : Teahupoo, Tahiti.\rSurfers : Kevin Johnson (Tahiti), Arsne Harehoe (Tahiti), Raimana Van Bastolaer (Tahiti), Mark Healey (Hawaii)\r\rBest scene ever recorded for La Nuit de la Glisse\r\r\rTo buy DVDs of La Nuit de la Glisse (in french and in english), go check http://www.nuitdelaglisse.com\r\r\r*** Don't ask me for the music's name, I have no idea, I've been looking for it for ages but can't find it. Primary: 3.2 m @ 11.4s SSW (199) . Teahupoo's reputation for wave riding is partly due to its unique form. It is the site of the annual Billabong Pro Tahiti surf competition, part of the World Championship Tour (WCT) of the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour surfing circuit, and used to be one stop in the World Tour of the International Bodyboarding Association. Updated: Friday, August 14, 2015. The wave Im talking about is a blue wall of power, the mutant wave known as: Teahupoo. Electric skateboards can be hacked, stopped remotely, Freddy Krueger attempts to set new world skifly record. Warm (max 27C on Mon afternoon, min 24C on Tue night). The most powerful waves expected at Teahupoo in the next 12 days are 2.0m 17s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 29) at 5PM. [2][8] The name 'Teahupoo' loosely translates to English as to sever the head or "place of skulls". Raimana Van Bastolaer at Teahupo'o on July 22, 2015. While All Eyes Were On Pipe, Teahupo'o Was Pumping With A Surprise Holiday Swell. Filmed on location in. Light rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Coco Nogales (MEX) has already locked in a few submissions for the 2016 Big Wave Awards and arrived in Tahiti in time to potentially earn a few more. Was the water 20 feet deep? 2023 Snow-Forecast.com | Terms of Service | Privacy | Cookie Policy. Scary beautiful, sure, but also scary because its one of the most dangerous places in the world to surf. A perfeio e beleza da onda quebrando constri o paradoxal desejo de surf-la e ao mesmo tempo o terrvel medo de encar-la. Sunny with very warm air temperatures, feeling like 27.0 C once we account for any wind. Location: Teahupoo is on the . He was recovered from the water, but died later in hospital, having suffered two broken cervical vertebra and a severed spinal cord, which resulted in paralysis from the neck down. Code Red means at least a 24 hour halt on all water activities. Upload your own or view all photos on the gallery page. [citation needed]. Italo Avoids Serious Injury. Swell Train Data Wind Speed & Direction A E 10kt A ENE 13kt A ENE 11kt A ENE 13kt A ENE 13kt A ENE 13kt A E 15kt A ENE 16kt A E 15kt Historic swells are usually seen as historic in the rearview. What causes the waves we surf on? Table of Contents After falling in a massive tube, Irons was rag-dolled over the reef and all the way into the lagoon, losing his skin and his boardshorts in the process. This is nowhere near the exit and that means Billy is going to have to negotiate the warping west bowl blind. So what is the science behind Teahupoo? Yannick Salmon was the first kitesurfer to ride Teahupoo; however, it was incorrectly written in publications that others had ridden it before him. In 2010, Grant and Didier Parker went out to the break to catch the coral-killing starfish, but instead netted a 1.29-ton tiger shark. Storm rolled in and the conditions get incredibly bumpy, making it an adventure to paddle in? This swell, on the other hand, is shaping up to be right in that zone thatll give organizers and competitors a hell of a scare. However, the windfield was large enough in area to generate a considerable amount of tangential swell, heading directly northwards. Former CT surfers and elite young talents battle at the, Former Event Winners and Rising Stars Ready for Competition, Take in spectacular coastal attractions along the Great Ocean Road between Princetown and Allansford, within an easy drive of the 12. Scary beautiful, sure, but also scary because it's one of the most dangerous places in the world to surf. Last year's event saw some of the heaviest waves in competition history, with standout performances from Owen Wright (AUS), John John Florence (HAW) and Kelly Slater (USA). Not the thickest, but beautiful. Photo: One of the best barrel riders on the planet and an amazingly nice guy.Anthony Walsh at Teahupoo. At 17-years-old he looks to be on the hunt for his second award. They should be considered moving energy. votes. 10 Monster Tsunami Caught On Camera - https://youtu.be/IQRtnaakUo810K Views - Apr 5, 2023 Shoutout to: Loan cooking (Our newest subscriber! So after the wind creates moving energy in the ocean, the real magic happens.and it depends on what kind of break we have at our beach. Live Winds ( 05:00) N 3kt Swell Trains. When Tim Bonython calls it the real deal then it's time to down tools and take a squiz. Niccolo Porcella suffers a heavy wipeout at Teahupo'o on July 22, 2015. Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the ENE on Tue morning, light winds from the ENE by Tue night). See some of the latest still photography from this current swell below. Niccolo Porcella slides into a cavern at Teahupo'o and hits eject. See the latest photos and videos from the most recent swell at Tahiti's Teahupo'o below. Warm (max 25C on Wed afternoon, min 22C on Thu night). Surging waves will maintain their shape and form very little white water until very late in the wave. Winds increasing (light winds from the E on Wed afternoon, strong winds from the SE by Thu night). Teahupoo is a pillow break. Here, there is just so much water, and the ocean floor gets so shallow, so quickly, that the waves are known as surging waves. Whether you want to experience surfing Teahupoo or simply watch in amazement, everyone can appreciate this monster wave. Porcella's Tight Knit Tube Time. Let's take a look at notorious athletes who perished in the surf. The last swell at Teahupoo was an event so spectacular that it consumed the entirety of surf media for nearly a week, and rightfully so. Photo: Can't write much about this imageif a picture says a thousand words, there isn't much left to say. Your browser has JavaScript disabled. Surfline is live from the channel with in-house commentary from Dave Wassell, Rocky Cannon, Rochelle Ballard and more. Epic Performances See Stage Set For Finals Day as Shida Point Turns On Fun Surf With an Increase in Size. Vote. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots. Big exits from the Championship Tour's 2015 trip to Teahupo'o. Toledo and Peterson are emphatic champs after a day of exciting if inconsistent surf. Thinking back to the 2011 Code Red swell, things were a little different. "Let's drop the wall of positive @wsl just actually tell us when it's going to be on," wrote . Teahupoo's surf culture runs a lot deeper than triple overhead bombs on the fringing . It bobs up and down, not forward waves move up and down as the energy passes through them). Just last month she caught what has been called the heaviest wave ridden by a. Warm (max 25C on Fri morning, min 24C on Thu afternoon). Some wave-magnet breaks may still work though if conditions are right (on occasion). Click below to view there surf guides. At the heart of Teahupoo is geology. On August 17, 2000 Laird Hamilton is credited with surfing the "heaviest wave" ever ridden,[2] documented in the film Riding Giants.