Although there are many quality surf spots in Tahiti, without question the most famous and potentially the most dangerous yet perfect wave is located off the coast of the village of Teahupoo.

Teahupo’o is a beautiful, little sleepy village on Tahiti Iti, the smaller peninsula of Tahiti. Pronounced by Americans as choh-poo, Teahupo’o (pronounced te-ah-hoo-poo-u) is enveloped by lush green mountains and surrounded by sapphire blue waters. Throughout most of the year, at night you can only hear the sound of seemingly serene waves breaking against the outer reef.

Teahupo’o was discovered by the world at the inauguration of the Gotcha Tahiti Pro in the 1990’s. It was then recognized as one of the “heaviest” waves in the world where championship surfers battled for the Tahitian crown. Now every May, hundreds of surf pros, journalists, photographers, television crews, and groupies flock to Teahupo’o to attend the Pro Tahiti surfing competition, currently hosted by Billabong. Overnight, the sleepy village of Teahupo’o transforms into one that never sleeps. A stage is built for dance shows, rock concerts, and local ukulele performances. Food and beverage stands are all over the village. Locals and visitors alike stroll from place to place with Hinano (Tahiti’s local beer) in hand.

This world championship competition will be held from May 4 to 13 this year, where the likes of pro surfer Kelly Slater will compete to see who can best battle the legendary wave. Teahupo’o is the Goliath of waves and those who have not achieved pro status do not dare step into the shoes of David. Also known as “chopes,” it is regarded as the “heaviest” wave in the world: the glassy wave breaks very shallow onto the reef, which is why the pressure per square foot of water is extremely immense, and this also creates Tahiti’s world famous barrels (The barrel is the hollow area inside of the wave curl while the wave is breaking, and that is often the defining element of a good, yet difficult wave to ride). Increasing Teahupo’o’s challenge is its break on the shallow reef, which makes it extremely dangerous for fallen surfers who crash against the sharp coral not far below.

With so much character to create the most challenging and coveted wave to ride, it is no surprise that Teahupo’o is coined “the wave” in the surf world.

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