Lay day fun for surfers in Tahiti waiting for Paris 2024 surfing to resume
Lay days. A time where the surfing conditions are not up to scratch and therefore the competition is called off. It’s a time for people to run errands like go to the supermarket and do washing.
After pumping conditions on Monday 29 July, surfers had two lay days at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. 1 August is very likely to go ahead starting with women's round three and followed by men's and women's quarter-finals.
The back-to-back days off competition has also given everyone a chance to process a historic Monday that included incredible barrel riding, a viral picture and heavy Teahupo’o waves that took no prisoners in the men’s round three.
Surfers have had time on their hands to do whatever they feel like. The irony is that many of them have been back in the water, always eager for anything surfable.
For the past two days, the hot spot has been the river mouth at the End of the Road. The landmark is well known because to get to Teahupo’o you take a one hour’s drive from Papeete. Once you arrive, you either go surfing, go to your accommodation or do a turn and go back where you came. You can go no further.
The likes of Olympic champion Carissa Moore, world champion Caroline Marks and fellow American Caity Simmers have all been enjoying the river mouth action. Aussies Molly Picklum and Ethan Ewing were also in the water on Tuesday. Wherever there’s a rideable wave, surfers will find it.
Activities that aren't surfing...
For the Australians the days off has been a chance to go catch up on other hobbies like fishing, playing golf, table tennis and just explore the island.
Two-time world champion Tyler Wright enjoyed doing some flax weaving, while for China’s Yang Siqi told olympics.com she has been doing a lot of stretching and relaxing.
Meanwhile Brisa Hennessy has been enjying a taste of home, making Gallo pinto, Costa Rica's national dish.