Kolohe Andino a sneaky pick for the crown?
Only the most head-in-the-sand surf fan is, currently, unaware that our favorite pastime is officially an Olympic pursuit. Debuting two summers ago in Japan, surfing will be a heavier draw not this summer, but next, when Paris hosts the Games, its outpost French Polynesia the barrel bits.
Yes, Teahupo’o, there at “the end of the road,” will undoubtedly thrill the masses, what with its crystalline waters, dynamic background, waves that strike terror into hearts including that of current world champion Filipe Toledo.
Now, certainly Olympic organizers will dream of capturing a huge audience and, thus, are educating potential fans about the World Surf League ahead of this 2023 Championship Tour, publishing a viewer guide and “who to watch” list.
Stunning those who have watched the game for years, Olympic eyes fell on “The American Storm.
Per Olympics.com:
In the men’s comp, several stars are back from injury including three-time world champion Gabriel Medina and two-time winner John John Florence. Will Filipe Toledo be able to back up his 2022 title victory or will Olympic champion Italo Ferreira bounce back from his 2019 title win? Jack Robinson, Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Kanoa Igarashi and Miguel Pupo are sure to shine too.
Eyes will also be on 11-time world champion and surfing legend Kelly Slater who won the Pipe Masters in February of 2022, less than a week before his 50th birthday. What can’t he do?
Ramzi Boukhiam will also make history as the first Moroccan to compete on the CT.
Beware of the Brazilian and USA storm that be out in force with both nations having 10 men on tour while Australia has seven.
The USA Storm?
Well hmmmm. Who do you think has a shot this year from the land of the free? Griffin Colapinto? Nat Young? Jake Marshall?
Oh wait.
I forgot that the Olympics is a tool of oppression and doesn’t allow for Hawaiian surfers to perform under their own flag like the progressive World Surf League.
So I guess John John Florence, Seth Moniz, et. al.
Cool.
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Not really an excuse I think.
There are always waves, albeit less during summer. Aren’t major comps held there during summer, not winter?
Still better than japan i’d bet, and probably as inconsistent as teahupoo, given the tight schedule.
https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx….
incest is best…scientist’s agree/
Kelly’s clock is pointing to 1 and Chloe can’t look anymore
Go mericans
What do your inside sources say about not running the show in continental france, same location where countless other pro surfing events took place?
The tahiti thing never really made any sense to me.
Nat Young aka William Katt’s son.
The carnage is going to be epic!
So, if Griffin Colapinto gets a spot, would he also double qualify to compete in the special olympics on account of his IQ level?
Claims to be French but doesn’t know the difference between Fiji and Tahiti?
Covid 24 will ruin it.
Itll be a wall of lungs
There was talk of building a pool in Japan before the last round and I believe the WSL even said they would but in the end they didn’t want to hold it in a tub. I would highly doubt that they will hold an event in another country. Is there any precedent of that happening? Meaning in an unaffiliated country? I can’t think of one. Though surfing will present this issue in the near future, though not in France.
By the time the ISA has weeded out all the no-bodies and Countries go off highest ranked tour Surfers it’s a game on, all players. You’re not going to get a random representative from Ghana or Greece.
What I’m asking is it your opinion or what you’ve heard from your said connections ?
My guess would be that they’ll have a backup beach break near Chopes.
Replied to wrong post…see above
France is the host Kermit. Pretty sure they have some say of some kind even if its just a “ribbitt”.
Tell us how it’s going to work then. Im generally interested. You’ve dropped the connection to the 2024 organizing committee not I.
I’m usually with you CERN (haven’t questioned anything about the bio of the 60 ish year old French olympian who went to grad school at Berkeley and works at CERN and has connections to the 2024 organizing committee, plus a sweet pension on the way) but the idea that France would hold an event for its summer olympics on US soil sounds a little out there. What’s timing of this announcement about a tank? (Also, it’s currently planned for Tahiti, not Fiji)
dear Keala:
ur the local. great post/
whick US site?
tshini, dsuxs.
do we own an island?
buddy found tav’s and developed and married the chief’s daughter;
married the banker’s daughter and have a small point break…where ur shaper George Bushman punched moi…
send me a free templat, a Hallmark card; or…say ur sorry/
(late: I think this is in the wrong column.)
Nah just a barrel to board to the face.
Although the Froggies might be hoping for a move to a tank, it ain’t gonna happen. Worst case they surf small Chopes, but no way it goes to a tank in the US. I’m sure they could find a lilypad in Froggieland to host the event as opposed to giving it to the US. Unprecedented move if they do.
So how’s the back up Tank work. They going to look at the forecast and ship the whole operation to Lemore? Would obviously have to book the whole Town out in advance. I’m calling bullshit on your 4 day Window.
Its like 99.8% of the Surf contests in the World then.