This tow wave of Kauli Vaast was definitely the biggest wave of the swell and one of the first waves rode in the morning. The fact that he wanted to tow right before the biggest contest of his life says a lot about his surf stoke and confidence on his home reef.

The wind came up in the late evening on the biggest day and made some the waves look even more intimidating. Pictured is Tereva David with rain squalls on the horizon.

Eimeo Czermak on cruise control.

Literally, Matahi’s Drollet’s 20th tube of the day.

The paddle wave of the day went to Gilbert Teave without question! From a crazy steep drop on the peak to this relaxed ‘flex’ through the west bowl, the wave had the entire lineup going crazy. This kid is the real deal.

Kevin Bourez on one of the larger waves of the swell.

The evening light at Teahupo’o turns the wave into an almost welcoming shade of green as Matehau guns for the exit.

It was cool to see Raimana towed into a wave in person, it was the first time I’ve been to Tahiti when he was there surfing and it looked as effortless for him as I imagined it would.

Hitoti Henry has generational Teahupo’o roots and decided he wanted to whip into some large waves at the peak of the swell.

The style master himself, Mateia Hiquily, taking it all in.

Huamana aka Tiger Shark is a young kid from Teahupo’o whose familiarity and comfort with the Teahupo’o reef shows in his casual approach.

Another standout in heavy water is Matehau Tetopata. Although he is not as well known outside of the surfing community in Teahupo’o he is one of the most respected and brave Tahitian’s when it’s over eight feet.

Matahi Drollet and Teahupo’o are synonymous with one another and when the swells begin to get serious, he is all but guaranteed to put on a show.

Tahiti has an amazingly talented pack of bodyboards and when the swell gets bigger than eight-foot, they arrive in the lineup looking for the most square and hectic sets. This is Angelo scooping the west bowl.

Few surfers have the bravado and comfort out at Teahupo’o than the likes of Eimeo Czermak. He loves to roll the dice and doesn’t hesitate sending it on the bombs.