The Paris Olympics surfing competition in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, has featured a mix of cracked helmets, sutured skin, and concussion checks as surfers battle the perilous waves in their quest for gold. Surfers attribute their ability to navigate the heavy, barrel-shaped waves with confidence to the efforts of the water safety patrol. This team of highly-skilled local workers, armed with jet skis and boats, constantly monitors ocean conditions from a watchtower, ensuring that surfers can take on the daunting waves with a greater sense of security.
Teahupo’o’s waves are notorious for their danger, having claimed the life of at least one surfer. Just below the ocean surface lies a jagged coral reef, dangerously close to where the waves break and within the sight of the surfers. “It’s super dangerous. People don’t realize it’s the most dangerous place in the world… so I’m just really happy to be in one piece,” said Australian surfer Jack Robinson after his round three win. “It’s crazy. There are some huge waves out there.”
Thus far in the Paris Olympics surfing events, no severe injuries have been reported, but several athletes have suffered stitches, bloody scrapes, and large bruises. Water safety patrollers on jet skis have frequently pulled surfers out of the water or off the reef. Local French Polynesian surfer Michel Bourez, who has extensive experience surfing Teahupo’o and previously competed in the Tokyo Olympics, expressed his gratitude: “They’re like guardian angels. They actually put their life on the line as well to come and rescue you.”
According to safety officials, the jet ski patrols are just one aspect of the water safety crew’s responsibilities. Each day begins with a briefing on the ocean conditions. As the competition progresses, the water crew remains in constant contact with a patroller stationed in a tower out in the ocean by the wave. They continually monitor various factors such as wind direction, shifts in underwater channels, and tidal impacts on the waves, explained Puatea Ellis, a 42-year-old water safety worker at the Paris Olympics in Tahiti. “I constantly need to keep my focus on people because if people get scared, they panic. And then it’s more likely an accident is going to happen,” Ellis said.
Water safety patrol can also be a strategic advantage for surfers, as powerful waves often wash them far from the optimal wave-catching zones during their limited heat times. “If you need to paddle back out, it will take you 15 minutes,” stated International Surfing Association president Fernando Aguirre. “Then you’ll find yourself out of time and out of the competition.”
The water safety patrol also ensures the safety of others in the water, such as camera operators providing a broadcast of the competition, even assisting them in locating equipment lost in the turbulent waves. “Water safety isn’t just for the surfers,” Ellis emphasized. “It’s my job to keep everyone safe.”
