Mais oui, there was something of a mutiny on the boards when it was decided to award this competition to a set of islands 15,705kms from Paris, et c’est vrai it has been something of an Olympics surfing bounty for Tahiti.
Now the idea that France, with its 5,500kms of coastline, would even need to farm out its surfing competition.
To a French territory in Polynesia seems a bit la-la.
But a combination of bigger waves at this time of the year than the likes of surfing hub Biarritz on the Bay of Biscay.
And the French desire to show off their territories abroad combined to tip the wink to Teahupo’o on Tahiti.
Which is, empire flexing apart, a good reason to flaunt what is after all the birthplace of surfing.
Before the Hawaiians bagged that claim, and which can be dated back to Captain James Cook, and obviously long before.
Ship shape
All of which means that the Tahitians have earned the distinction of becoming the furthest away venue from the host city in the history of the Games.
And a gold star to anyone who knew the previous record holder was Stockholm.
With the Swedes holding the Melbourne 1956 equestrian events because of Australia’s quarantine rules (no, us neither).
For the bulk of the Olympians having to sleep in cardboard beds in the Olympics village in Paris the thought of hammocks in Tahiti does sound enticing…
They are in fact accommodated on a ship.
Chillin’ in Tahiti
But the famously laid-back surfing set, whose company I have sought and enjoyed from California to Barcelona and other points in between won’t be complaining.
Particularly as today they have been given time off to chill today.
Because all surfing events have been postponed due to surfing conditions according to the IOC.
All of which means more time to kick back and enjoy the slow tourism of Teahupo’o.
As would happen our network is as expansive as the French and the IOC.
And that reach stretches to Tahiti where our amis there have only been in touch of late.
Get on board
Now helpfully the Tahitians recognise we are not all surfer dudes.
And there is no judgment if we are happier on a paddleboard or bodyboard and then work up.
We’re advised that beginners are best to start on the beaches at Orofara and Taharuu.
Where the waves can reach between 1.5 and 2 metres high.
There are excellent surf spots in Taapuna, Papara and Mahina.
But don’t be a hero and think that you can handle the one the Olympians are trying, ‘jaws’ at Teahupoo…
They wouldn’t let you anyway, you need to be elite.
Reach for the Tropical Sky
The best advice, of course, is that given by the Tahitian tourist board who say:
‘When you visit a beach for the first time, be polite and pleasant and the local surfers will be pleased to welcome you.
‘A ‘Ia ora na‘ with a smile goes a long way.’
Of course there is no shortage of holiday providers more than happy to whisk us away to Tahiti and we have plumped for our old friends Tropical Sky here.
A sample seven nights B&B at the Sofitel Moorea La Ora Beach Resort with flights and transfers comes in at from £2,999pp.
