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 !

Early season. Glassy conditions and the first clean south swells hit Tahitian breaks.  Sunday 27 March was the ceremony for Sion Miolosky organized by Adam d'Esposit and the Teahupoo boys.  All the Teahupoo line up moved away from flawless perfection to give a last tribute to the big wave surfer.  It was a moving moment.  Just after the ceremony Adam dropped into a perfect tube and gave his last blessing.
Saturday 2 April was the first big south swell of the year.  Local boys Taumata Puhetini, Nuihi Marere and Heiarii Williams were the stand outs. 

All star crew travels through the Telos and Mentawai region to score perfection.
Benjamin Sanchis, Jeremy Flores, Alain Riou, Marc Lacomar, Miky Picon and Fredo Robin. Check; http://www.surfingmentawai.com

Private access only.

R.I.P. Andy Irons July 24, 1978-November 2, 2010

Last tribute.

Bethany Hamilton and Carissa Moore challenge Teahupoo. The two best friends spent a month training in top Teahupoo conditions. Raimana Von Bastolaer drove them around the best spots but also spent time giving them an insight into the Tahitian way of life.  Bethany Hamilton's life story is currently being shot as a feature film "Soul Surfer" with Hollywood award-winner actors such as Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid, AnnaSophia Robb with film director Sean McNamara. Look out for it!  The film will be an inspiration for everyone as meeting Bethany in person was for Tim.  She  is a ray of sunshine, overcoming all difficulties with simplicity and humility. She always has a radiant smile and is also a proficient and powerful surfer,  definitely one the best girl surfers at Teahupoo.

In October 2009 Tim was commissioned by Nikon to shoot images in French Polynesia for the promotion of the new Nikkor lens range 2010. 
His mission included surf and kitesurfing action images but also night scenes, fauna and landscapes. Here is a selection of what he came up with.  

This year the 2010 Teahupoo Billabong Pro Trials and Main Event have been pushed back to the months of  August and September.  For the first time in nearly 14 years,  things don't quite feel the same in the small village at the end of the road. No scaffoldings, no crowds, no circus.

Just Tahitian Dream Days over and over again.