Locals call the wave Teahupo’o, which loosely translates to “wall of skulls.” It has fascinated and terrified the world’s elite ocean athletes since it was first surfed in the 1980s. In the coming days, Teahupo’o (pronounced “cho-poo”), just offshore of its namesake fishing village on the island’s lush coast, will become the site of the second Olympic surfing tournament. The competition was held at the closest reliable surf break to the city, Shidashita Beach. Waves are created by wind, and global winds generally blow toward west-facing beaches, pushing big waves onto them. Unlike the sports with fixed dates, the surfing competition is set to run for four days between July 27 and Aug. 5, whenever conditions look most promising.

Source: Los Angeles Times July 26, 2024 19:34 UTC