From take-off to the channel, the average ride at Teahupo’o is over in a handful of seconds. However, there can be more happening in those few seconds of mayhem than a ride at the longest of point-breaks. Slow down a ride at Teahupo’o and you’ll discover a quantum realm of infinite nuance that decides the difference between flying into the channel in a hail of spray and glory, or getting hammered into the reef and unceremoniously flushed into the lagoon a bleeding mess.
Recently, Teahupo’o has enjoyed an unlikely run of off-season swell, and with travel restrictions in effect globally, the locals have been gifted the chance to surf the wave without the usual interlopers.
Here, Perry Gershkow beautifully captures one such session.
