Due to unsuitable surfing conditions, Olympic surfers at the Paris 2024 Games in Tahiti experienced two lay days. During this break, they engaged in various activities such as running errands, doing laundry, and recreational pursuits near Teahupo'o. Surfing greats like Carissa Moore and Ethan Ewing were seen enjoying their time, while Tyler Wright tried flax weaving, and Brisa Hennessy cooked traditional Costa Rican dish Gallo pinto. Competition is set to resume on August 1.
Olympic Surfers: Meet the Athletes Riding for Gold in Paris 2024
If you love watching waves and big‑screen drama, the Olympic surfing event is the ticket. For the first time, surfing will shine on the world stage at the Paris 2024 Games, with the competition set on the famous Teahupo'o break in Tahiti. The stakes are high, the waves are wild, and a handful of surfers are gearing up to claim the gold.
How Surfers Earn Their Spot at the Olympics
The road to Paris isn’t a stroll on the beach. Athletes have to fight through a global qualification system that runs from 2022 to 2024. First, each country can send a maximum of two men and two women, so the national federations pick their best based on world rankings and regional events.
The main pathway is the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour. The top ten men and top eight women on the 2023‑2024 rankings lock in a ticket. Then the ISA (International Surfing Association) hosts continental qualifiers – Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania and the Americas all get a few slots. Finally, the host nation, France, gets a guaranteed spot for one male and one female surfer.
All the qualifying events use a points system, so consistency matters more than a single flash performance. If you’re following the tour, keep an eye on the rankings after each stop – a surfer can jump into an Olympic berth with a strong finish in Rio or Bali.
Top Olympic Surfers to Watch
Here are a few names that keep popping up in the conversation:
- John John Florence (USA) – Two‑time world champion, known for his smooth style and ability to read a wave like a chess player.
- Carissa Moore (USA) – Already an Olympic gold medalist from Tokyo 2020, she’s aiming for a second ring of metal.
- Filipe Toledo (Brazil) – The Brazilian flair and high‑air tricks make him a crowd‑pleaser and a medal threat.
- Italo Ferreira (Brazil) – The 2021 world champion brings power and raw aggression, perfect for Teahupo'o’s heavy barrels.
- Tyler Wright (Australia) – A rising star with a solid track record on the WSL, she’s quickly becoming a podium favorite.
These athletes mix experience with hunger, and most of them have already proved they can handle massive, dangerous waves. Expect them to push the limits when the surf hits its peak.
Besides the headline names, the Olympic surf event is a great showcase for under‑dogs. Surfers from smaller surfing nations often surprise the field with fearless performances, especially in the heat rounds.
Want to catch the action live? The event runs over three days in July 2024, with heats in the morning and finals in the afternoon. Broadcasters in most regions will stream it on their sports channels, and you can also follow the live scoreboard on the official Olympic website.
For casual fans, the best way to enjoy the competition is to focus on the heat formats – each surfer gets a set time in the water, and the highest two scores move on. Scores are based on difficulty, execution, flow, and how much the wave is used. A perfect ride can score a 10.0, but even a 7.5 feels like a win when the wave is brutal.
Whether you’re a surf junkie or just curious about this new Olympic sport, the Paris games promise a mix of adrenaline, drama, and beautiful island scenery. Keep an eye on the qualifiers, stock up on a good pair of headphones for the commentary, and get ready for some unforgettable wave riding.
Surf’s up at the Olympics – and the world’s best are about to prove why they belong on the biggest stage.