"He's Luke Skywalker!"
It seems like an eternity ago but, in truth, the Paris Olympics were held just last summer in the gorgeous City of Lights. But who could forget the dramatic swimming races, breakdancing battles, drag queen brouhahas and, of course, that Place of Skulls. Teahupo’o is, as you know, halfway around the world from Europe though is still a French territory and, thus, hosted the Olympic surfing discipline.
The non-surfing public tuned in, as they do pentathlon and artistic swimming and fell head-over-heels in love with the flyaway air.
The viral image of Gabriel Medina kicking out of a heaving slab and pointing one finger to the heavens had every Jan and Dean gasping for air, sending to their Facebook friend groups, shaking heads in disbelief.
Now, the flyaway is not so highly regarded amongst the surfing public. Jérôme Brouillet, who took the photo and has called Tahiti home for the past li’l while declared, “So he [Medina] is at the back of the wave and I can’t see him and then he pops up and I took four pictures and one of them was this one. It was not hard to take the picture. It was more about anticipating the moment and where Gabriel will kick off the wave. It’s very cool, it’s a nice shot and lots of people love it. It’s not really a surf photograph so it captures the attention of more people.”
Well, one year on yet another “not really a surf photograph” has grabbed and held. Marco Mignot, this time, ejecting and leading The Guardian’s coverage of the Tahiti Pro.
See above.
Other images in the feature include Crosby Colapinto getting tubed, Griffin Colapinto paddling, Kauli Vaast getting tubed and Jack Robinson breathing but none yet Mignot soaring sans board were more feted.
“He’s Luke Skywalker,” a gushing non-surfer penned.
“The best trick,” another added.
Do you have thoughts on the rise of the flyaway?
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So clearly no threats to the top 5 next year
The island pullout (shortboard version) is way cooler and actually takes some skill. Underrated.
Uh oh, is that a stiff-armed salute?
Nah. He was pointing with one finger. The picture is just cut off in this article.
I think i could perhaps win the “Flyaway” world tour
Perhaps a shot at the “over the falls” WT as well, and the “Fuck me a couple more paddles you dumb cunt” WT as well
That’s quite a wild username you’ve chosen there.
This here is a respectable place and I hope that you’ve not come to cause too much trouble.
mate i said it years ago i was too fuckin dumb to change it – then i couldn’t be bothered – just waiting for social credit score to catch me up
Sacré bleu ! C’est magnifique ohlalalala.
Xox
A perfect comparison which carries over to their whole act
Gabe looks nobel is his flyaway
meanwhile marco looks like he slipping on a banana peel
Marco?
Manarco
Marco?
Polo!…fish out of water?
Marco’s best trick was somehow getting rookie of the year honors.
Better than giving it to Douchemand.
Yeah. F that guy and his stupid hair.
That hair is a cry for help.
Not really a surprise. He was consistent in getting 17th and 9th place finishes, and had two quarter finals. Only had one 33rd, at Abu Dhabi. He also beat a few big names in the process. He wasn’t just beating other rookies. He finished 16th in the world. He had a good year, and he said before the season started that he wanted to be rookie of the year. He’s pretty good at making his goals happen.
Ahhh now I get it.
Im not one to brag, but the fly away was kinda my signature move, along with bailing my board and paddling around people, oh shucks
https://uploads.disquscdn.c… #neverforget
https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
I hope he sees this and has a chuckle.. Well done Picaso!
it’s the City of Light not Lights you moron 😉
whats an s between friend?
I actually did a long search and the French translation best lends to “City of Lights!”
Touché i’m terribly sorry!
The only flyaway in pro surfing is the ability to run a surf event. To satisfy the watching public. Old and new alike.
Oh man, the Brazzos are gonna be pissed.