Surfing: Men’s and Women’s Finals
Tahiti is far from being a bland competition site. It can be both terrifyingly exhilarating and an awe-inspiring showdown. Keep an eye out for Carissa Moore, hailing from Hawaii among the women, and Gabriel Medina representing Brazil in the men’s division. The waves at Teahupo’o are shaped by massive southern ocean swells that rush in from deep waters before crashing onto a shallow, exposed reef. The wave’s base lies beneath sea level, while its crest towers like a house above the surface. Surfing at Teahupo’o is all about riding tubes with minimal turns – it’s a vertical drop, making getting on the wave a struggle. Once aboard, the lip swiftly covers you up. The true masters of surfing will seemingly vanish, perched atop the foam ball at the back, then reappear in a burst of water as the wave recedes. Ideal conditions could yield perfect tens without fail. [ED LEIGH]