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Kauli Vaast on the Seine living Filipe Toledo's dream. Photo: Twitter
Kauli Vaast on the Seine living Filipe Toledo's dream. Photo: Twitter

Newly minted Olympic gold medalist Kauli Vaast delights Paris by surfing down Seine!

"Surfing in the Seine is great, it's mega, but doing it with the Eiffel Tower behind you is even more special."

My time is Paris is coming to a close and I have thoroughly enjoyed this month. The City of Light has been electric, throughout, the local population having retreated before the 2024 Olympics began fearing gridlock and general nastiness. Instead, it has been an earthly paradise. Restaurants easy to get into, foie gras flowing like white wine. As the surfing component of the Games got underway some ten-ish days ago, I felt sad that our heroes and heroines were forced to be some 10,000 miles away eating poisson cru in the middle of the Pacific.

Well, things have been rectified at least for bronze medalist Gabriel Medina, who came and dined in proper bistros while getting lightly trolled and gold medalist Kauli Vaast, who made Filipe Toledo’s dreams come true by surfing a man-generated, under knee high wave on the famous river Seine.

The two-time Brazilian champ made news, earlier, when he opined that future Olympic surfing events should be contested in pools, saying, “Every four years, I think the athlete needs to be prepared for this unique moment that is the Olympics and be sure that they will deliver their best!

The handsome Frenchman, anyhow, had to work for every once of forward momentum but seems to enjoy his time, declaring, “Surfing in the Seine is great, it’s mega, but doing it with the Eiffel Tower behind you is even more special.”

As you know, Paris made a great effort to clean the Seine ahead of the Games and used the famous waters as venue for long distance swimming though three Germans fell ill after their event, one penning, “Vomited 9 times yesterday + diarrhea. Water quality in the Seine is approved.”

Classic German aggression and yet to be seen if the French quickly abandon the river allowing for occupation.

Back to Vaast, though, does his Olympic gold eclipse both Filipe Toledo championships?

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71 Comments
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tim_nelsen

Like how they posted it twice…Must have learned that from reaching higher levels of consciousness…

yipykiyaymf

Dodging brown trout in the Seine 💩 !!!

tim_nelsen

‘JOE: MONAGES OR TRPOIS OR MORE WITH ROSIE AND THE OTHER CHICK~”

tim_nelsen

can u canoe with your tail while using webbed gloves to collect particulates the size of babe ruth bars in any river? Venice is also a in a Ct challenge mode. need more riff’ raff…

Capt Sensible

Also forcasted by Kanga PT n Rabbit the Olympic gold for surfing eclipses all that came before it , even the GOAT , why do you think all the pros are so focused on trying to win one at any cost.
KVs gold medal holds him as the greatest competition surfer in the world for the next 4 years.
Full stop.

PacificNorthPest

Corny Olympic fanboyism, but how rad is it that they flew Kauli out to Paris for a little Olympic gold medalist love? He must be bursting with pride and joy. So fucking cool for that kid.

Internet Technician - Level 5

the cream of surf commentary, Rosie’s alright though

Michael Flatlately

After the Olympics, we now know Flick could be doing that from the kitchen bench in South Bunbury. Rosie could be feeding the bub, back in the safety of her gated community and Joe wouldn’t have to go through Skin and Makeup every morning.

Michael Flatlately

Fuck that’s good. Well played. Ka mahi.

longtomssecondcuztwiceremoved

59.

Gold Medallist back to the regional Q-ey.

longtomssecondcuztwiceremoved

Did Vaast boycott US Open to surf the Seine ?

Michael Flatlately

The WSL would have to give him a wildcard, surely?

Capt Sensible

Willcox has used up all his sponsors credits that’s for sure.

NEGATRON

Alan Cleland Jnr won! Win for the underdogs! That boy charges jumped up 40 odd places to 9th. Looking good for a CT spot.

longtomssecondcuztwiceremoved

thats good news. He was my dark horse pick for an Olympic medal.

Occ Topus

Pip will never be mistaken for Snake Plissken.

Gwen Walz’s Eyes

Big Al top ten on the Challenger

mike m

805 cerveza, Mexican beer, made in America.

Surf Coach/Great Human

Fuck, they even dusted off Waxhead for the USO.

c4

Ah we have to watch almond milk sal again next year.

mike m

The American judges are overscoring Bella and underscoring Sally.
Conspiracy, heads need to roll.

mike m

Whew, Sally still wins!

Gil Gunderson

Pffft. Love to see him surf triple overhead tropical death slabs…. Ohhhh….

Gwen Walz’s Eyes

Cleland literally waited until 9 minutes left in his semi to catch a wave and dropped an 8.33 on a 2 footer. Backed it up with a 6.4 with 2 minutes left.

This comp combined with his Olympic performance? A Star is born

Surf Coach/Great Human

Just sat on priority for the better part of 20 minutes rolling the dice on the hopes a 2.5 footer would emerge on the horizon, which it did with 10sec left. I don’t know if that was a great strategy or just insanely lucky, but good for Al. He rips

tim_nelsen

sign gaga, punt on celine. pass on all contest surfas…Who’ s The Next Star>

Gwen Walz’s Eyes

Alan Cleland Jr can win a world title. Rios in 2’ Huntington and 10’ Chopes. Level headed and smart in heats. Doesn’t complain. Heart of a Lion.
A.I. without the partying issues?

Gwen Walz’s Eyes

Rips

Noncompetitor

ISA champ, big beachbreaks barrels, let’s go


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