When Raimana called Laird, he was preparing to head for Kauai for his first foil session of the season, with an early north swell on the forecast. 
But Raimana wanted him down in Tahiti to enjoy the biggest south swell so far this year and help promote French Polynesia at the same time ! Hard to refuse such an invitation !  
Raimana has been the ambassador for Tahiti Tourism these last few years and a local campaign to promote tourism with the local population is in full force. Who else represents better the Polynesian spirit of 'aloha' than Raimana taking care of his surfer friends around Teahupoo.  
After 11 time world champion Kelly Slater and Jeremy Flores a few weeks ago during the Billabong Pro,  now it's the other high-profile surfing athlete Laird Hamilton who will get the royal treatment in Raimana's amazing World... read more

A taste of paradise, this is what Bixente Lizarazu wanted for his holiday break with his son.  Surf, stand up paddle, whale, shark and ray watching were on the menu for the French 1998 world champion footballer,  now TV presenter for TF1,  who wanted to remain active by getting a taste of Nature's perfection in French Polynesia.  Raimana Von Bastolaer  "Raimana World" was hosting the father and son for this special holiday, making sure they had the best fun in the best conditions in Moorea and Teahupoo.  Tim Mckenna and Tahiti Fly Shoot were invited to get a few holiday shots from above and in and under the water.  Here are a few snapshots of their perfect holiday.

Mike Fanning wins the Billabong Pro Teahupoo 2012. Check out the best images of the contest.

Sean Poynter (US) wins this 2012 Air Tahiti Nui Stand Up Paddle world tour edition in Sapinus, Tahiti, French Polynesia against twice world champion Kai Lenny.  Leading legends like Arsene Harehoe (Rogue) or Vetea David once more demonstrated their talents in challenging conditions,  Arsene moving up to the 6th place overall in the 2012 world ranking. But the event saw the younger generation rise with very impressive performances such as that of 15 years old Poenaiki Raioha (Naish).  Peyo Lizarazu and Aaron Napoleon fought fiercely through the quarter final heats having to settle for respectively the 13th and the 17th place here in Tahiti. No doubt they will soon fight to step back up.

World premiere of Keith Malloy’s bodysurfing film Come Hell Or High Water.

Mark Cunningham , Mike Stewart,  Keith Malloy, Chris Kalima, Durdam Rocherolle and local, Patrice Chanzy,  bodysurf the perfect Tahitian reef breaks for Keith Malloy's new film,  including some crazy rides at Teahupoo, the crew pushing back the limits of what is rideable on a hollow wave.

The Monster Swell that hit the south coast of Tahiti on Saturday 27th August produced some of the most radical rides ever at the famous Tahitian reef break. Although the swell was expected to be south-south west  it bombed  the reef "at the end of the road "  with a very westerly direction, making most rides impossible to complete, the west bowl too often flashing it's 'No Exit'  sign.

Pristine conditions have prevailed these last few weeks. The 2011 Air Tahiti Nui -VZ trials and the first round of the Billabong Pro have been completed.
Everybody is now waiting for the biggest swell since September 2005. Wave heights of 40 to 55 feet have been recorded by satellite readings as the storm continues to develop near New-Zealand. The wind fetch of this storm is nearly 1200 miles wide with wind over 35 knots.
The Top 32 ASP world tour surfers will be faced in the next few days with some of the most challenging conditions ever.  If it gets too big for paddling in,  the contest will be put on hold and the tow session will go live also.
By next Tuesday many surfers will have ridden the wave of their life.
Good luck to everyone and be safe. 
 

Since March, every 2 to 3 weeks, the south west coast of Tahiti scores a 10' + session. 
The Father's Day week-end once again saw Teahupoo delivering it's magic. Although the conditions were windy,  the swell was clean and powerful with a mix of short board, stand up paddle, tow ins and even kite surfing. 
Michel Bourez, Hira Teriinatoofa and 19 year old Tikanui Smith were the local stand outs, paddling in. 
Fergal Smith, one of the only foreign surfers, scored some incredible rides staying out from dawn to dusk.
Vetea David  surfed the whole swell on his SUP, catching at least 40 waves and managing to break only one board. 
Laird Hamilton flew down for the 2 day swell.  Riding his SUP with Raimana on the rise of the swell and then towing in on the Sunday.
The South Pacific is in rhythm this year.  See you in a couple of weeks !

Sapinus Pro presented by Air Tahiti Nui

Flawless conditions for the second year in a row for the Tahiti stop of the Stand Up Paddle World Tour. Basque surfer Peyo Lizarazu wins his first world tour event in solid conditions. Tahitians  Patrice Chanzy and Didier Tinhin make their way to the finals finishing 2nd and 4th. World Champion Kai Lenny who scored the bomb of the event finished 3rd. Another great edition.

Next step of the SUP world tour will be Brazil with the Ibiraquera Pro.

Get all the info and heat details at :

 http://www.standupworldtour.com/

The Tahiti Nui Va'a race regroups the best Polynesian outrigger teams for a 166 km race around Tahiti.