Tahiti’s Young Surfers Ride the Wave of Olympic Inspiration
As the powerful waves of Teahupo’o, Tahiti – the site of the Paris Olympics surfing competition – roared in the background, a smaller surf session was creating a buzz just off the shore. “Go, go, go!” shouted a sun-bleached, lanky teenager in French to his friend, both perched on their surfboards. The air soon filled with cheers from Tahiti’s other young surfers and supportive parents on the beach as 14-year-old Kiara Goold, a local French Polynesian surfer, expertly rode a 4-foot-high wave with a beaming smile.
Scenes like this are becoming more common in Tahiti, according to 38-year-old professional surfer Michel Bourez. “When I was young, there weren’t many kids surfing,” he recalled, having first picked up a surfboard as a teenager. While Teahupo’o has long attracted international surfers, it’s only recently that local surf culture has blossomed among younger generations.
Bourez has been a driving force behind this transformation, nurturing local surfing talent. “We lacked resources when I started,” Bourez explained. Now, he’s dedicated to training the promising young surfers he spots along Tahiti’s shores. “All the knowledge I’ve gained over the years would be wasted if not passed on. We need to give back to our community.”
One of Bourez’s mentees is Kiara Goold. Growing up in French Polynesia, Kiara has been around the ocean her entire life but only started taking surfing seriously at about eight years old. “I push myself to do things that challenge me,” she said, referring to gym sessions and tackling big waves. Her hard work has paid off, with Kiara competing internationally and winning local youth tournaments.
Kiara often surfs with her friends along Tahiti’s shores, where they enjoy a friendly rivalry. “We motivate each other,” she said, laughing. “It’s all about hanging out and having fun.”
The inclusion of two French Polynesian surfers, Vahiné Fierro and Kauli Vaast, in the Paris Olympics has significantly boosted local interest in the sport. “They’ve become heroes for the kids here,” Bourez noted.
Fierro and Vaast are well aware of their influence. “It’s amazing because I was in their shoes just a few years ago,” Vaast said after a recent victory. “We strive to set the best example and bring positive energy to inspire them.”
Fierro, who made history as the first Tahitian wild card to win a World Surf League event at Teahupo’o, has noticed a significant shift in surfing culture among women in French Polynesia. “There are almost as many girls as boys surfing now, which is fantastic to see,” she said.
Looking ahead, Kiara is excited for her future in surfing and is already thinking about how she will inspire the next generation. “I’ll tell them, ‘Follow your dreams. Work hard, stay positive, and most importantly, have fun.’”
For more information, visit the official Paris 2024 Olympics website.
(This article includes information from a piece by Victoria Milko of the Associated Press.)
